Working closely with NYCDOT, the FCBID developed a uniform street signage system that was installed throughout the district in March and April 2004. Designed specially for the FCBID by Whitco Sign & Manufacturing Corp., the new system allowed the FCBID to remove the regulatory signage that previously cluttered district light poles. In its place, new regulation signage was installed on dedicated signage poles. This system has improved the appearance of the district by eliminating visual clutter. The new signs are also clearer and more user-friendly.

New signage makes district regulations more clear.

The FCBID received a $10,000 Main Streets Grant from the Empire State Development Corporation to offset the costs of the new street signage program.

Antenna Design was commissioned to create a unique news box design for the Fashion District. Antenna is the award-winning design group responsible for, among other things, the MetroCard vending machines and the new subway cars. Their news box design will enable the FCBID to rid the streets of the unsightly plastic news boxes that currently clutter district corners. As part of the program, participating paid and free publications will be relocated into these new, FCBIDmaintained news boxes. The news boxes are being designed to coordinate with the FCBID’s other street furniture and “Authentic New York” graphics. Pending approval by NYCDOT, installations are scheduled to take place in Fiscal Year 2004-2005.

In January 2004, the FCBID published Make A Grand Entrance, a quick guide to the six simple steps property owners and ground floor retailers can and should take to make their buildings and shops more appealing - and their businesses more prosperous. The guide covers such things as lighting, store displays, building entrances and facades. Response to the guide has been extremely positive, and the NYC Department of Small Business Services has cited it as a model for other BIDs and community organizations to use when implementing neighborhood improvement programs.

To encourage property owners and retailers to make these simple but essential improvements, the FCBID also launched an incentive program, described in detail in the Make a Grand Entrance guide. Cash incentives are offered, on a “first come - first served” basis, to those who upgrade the look of their establishments by undertaking some of the improvements in the guide. The response to this program has been very strong with many applications submitted to date.

In Spring 2003, the FCBID brought color into the district by filling 100 lightpole basket planters with lush, colorful annuals. In addition, the Summer Garden on the 1411 Broadway Plaza bloomed again, thanks to the beautiful plantings provided by Trizec Office Properties and café seating provided by the FCBID. As the holiday season (and cold weather) commenced, the lightpole basket planters were filled with lighted holiday trees. Colorful, flower plantings are planned again for Spring 2004, as is the Summer Garden.

Following its annual practice, the FCBID conducted two rounds of maintenance on our security lighting. During fall and spring, the more than 500 security lights, which the FCBID installed on properties throughout the district, were cleaned and repaired, and time clocks were adjusted to reflect seasonal time changes.

LIGHTPOLE PAINTING AND STREET FURNITURE MAINTENANCE

See Sanitation

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