Changing the face of the Fashion Center.

When New Yorkers think of design and the latest trends, the Fashion Center, nestled in midtown Manhattan, immediately comes to mind. After all, New York is the global capital of couture. But while fashion remains the largest presence in the neighborhood, the area has evolved over time to encompass much more.

The Fashion Center is home to more than a hundred industries and thousands of workers engaged in non-fashion related business. Although still home to America's greatest designers, it can no longer be said that it is exclusively a manufacturing district. In 2004, the manufacturing portion of the "Fashion Industry" represented 43.2%, a decline of 1.5% from the fourth quarter of 2003. Many of the spaces that were previously filled with factories in the heyday of industrialized America are now filled with a variety of business-to-business services and creative arts uses.

Despite the loss of manufacturing, this cutting-edge neighborhood boasts a growing number of tenants in the advertising, architecture, publishing, and the arts: visual, theater and dance.

The Fashion Center BID itself has identified the arts as a major catalyst to creating a vibrant neighborhood, and has sponsored a broad range of events and activities. The evolution of the arts has made the district a cornerstone of artistic and intellectual life.

One of the district's newest tenants is the world-renowned New Dance Group, which has moved into a 21,000 s/f studio space at Eighth Avenue and 38th Street. The group joins other noted dance companies such as the Baryshnikov Dance Foundation, in establishing a presence in the neighborhood.

The second Fashion District Arts Festival last October also showcased the strength of the area arts community. Festival participants included more than 120 local studio artists, galleries, off-Broadway theaters and others. More than 2,000 people attended more than 100 individual events, openings and performances.

With a diverse tenant base, new residential buildings, and some of the highest pedestrian counts in all of Manhattan, this area also has the elements for a vibrant retail environment as well.

In fact, the area's increasingly upscale commercial and residential tenants currently have a retail potential of more than $1.17 billion and counting.

One noteworthy new addition to the district is Metro Marche, a new European brasserie and prepared foods market that opened late last year to great reviews in the south wing of the Port Authority bus terminal. The continued progression of the Fashion Center into a mixed-use neighborhood has created a livelier district with around-the-clock activity and amenities.

This new, dynamic neighborhood serves as an ideal complement to the vibrant commercial and entertainment district, as well as the soon-to-be-developed far West Side.

Overall space availability sunk to 5.7 percent, the lowest vacancy rate the area has seen in more than a decade. The area is safe and clean for businesses and pedestrians--in the third quarter of 2006, crime declined by 19% as compared to the same period in 2005.

The declining crime rate, cleanliness of the neighborhood and creative atmosphere attracted one of the Fashion Center's newest tenants, Kent State University. The university, which has its main campus in Ohio, has set up a New York City studio at 315 West 39th Street. The 4,500-square-foot space includes a computer lab, lecture room and workroom with sewing machines and workforms. There were 25 students in the program's first semester in Spring 2006.

Improvements to the existing stock of commercial and industrial buildings, as well as support from City government have also helped the district's evolution. Most recently, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn earmarked $417,000 for Fashion District lighting. The funds will be used to complete the Bishop's Crook lighting project that was started more than a decade ago.

Retailers and other tenants in the commercial and residential sectors are attracted by the Fashion Center's strategic mid-town location and proximity to transportation hubs like the Port Authority, Penn Station and the Times Square subway lines, as well as major landmarks such as Macy's, Times Square and Bryant Park.

In addition, The New Times Building will open in 2007, bringing in significantly more foot traffic. The Fashion District will also see an influx of traffic from the five hotels either under construction or in development on the block bounded by 39th and 40th Streets, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, under the Hudson Yards redevelopment plan.

One thing vibrant cities have in common is a healthy and lively urban core, and exciting changes are underway that are bringing new life to the heart of New York City.

The District already has begun an amazing transformation, long vacant buildings have been filled by growing businesses, restaurants, residences and a thriving art scene.

The Fashion Center BID and members of the business community are determined to make certain this transformation continues.

BARBARA BLAIR RANDALL,

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FASHION CENTER BID