The FCBID works with tenants, owners and City agencies to mitigate problems and address issues that affect the quality of life in the Fashion District.

Adult Zoning
The proliferation of adult content DVD stores in the Fashion District and their detrimental effects on property values was of much concern to the FCBID this year. Unfortunately, it is not illegal to operate these types of establishments due to a loop hole in the City’s Adult Use Zoning Regulations, so there is little the FCBID can do to prohibit them from locating in the district. Nevertheless, the FCBID consistently expresses its concerns about the effects of these stores to elected officials, Community Boards 4 and 5, and even to the owners of these stores and the property owners who rent to them.

A zoning amendment that would eliminate the loophole is awaiting a decision from an appellate court. In the meantime, the FCBID continues to look for more immediate ways to lessen the impact on the area.

ComNet
Phase Two of the COMNET program has begun. In 2002, under Phase One, an initial database of street conditions was created using ComNet software provided by the Fund for the City of New York. The database documents infrastructure problems that need repair by the City, individual property owners or the FCBID. At the completion of Phase One, all relevant parties were notified of their obligations, and most of the egregious situations were remedied. Now, under Phase Two, two graduate student interns from New York University have updated the database by conducting another inventory of conditions. All relevant parties are again being notified of their responsibilities.

Street Vending
Vendors continue to be problematic in Midtown. Legislation passed last year by the State Legislature actually allowed an increase in the number of disabled vendors in Midtown. This, in turn, led to an increase in First Amendment vendors, who may vend anywhere there are disabled veteran vendors. The City and State are not further addressing the issue at this time, so the Midtown Citizens Committee and the BID Managers Association have begun discussions to formulate new approaches to the problem. The FCBID is active in both groups on this issue.

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