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Fifteen years ago, Fashion District property owners came together to form the non-profit Fashion Center District Management Association, Inc., better known as the Fashion Center Business Improvement District (or “Fashion Center BID”). Its mission was to promote the positive development of Midtown Manhattan’s Fashion District and, looking back from 2008, it is easy to see that mission, though ongoing, has been a success.
Today, it is hard to recognize this district for the same one from that time.
Back then, cleanliness and safety were of the utmost concern. The district was dominated by the apparel industry and it was difficult to traverse neighborhood streets without bumping into rolling racks. With the exception of a few eateries, there were no destinations in the district, and everything closed by early evening, as ground floor establishments shuttered their doors and windows. As a result, many brokers did not show space here, despite the fact that the Fashion District is the most conveniently located neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan.
But today, crime is down an impressive 71%, the district routinely receives near perfect or perfect scores for cleanliness, and while our streets and sidewalks are still bustling, the tenant mix now reflects a more diversified base that has brought more 24 hours uses to the area. Today this district is still home to the greatest names in American fashion, but it also houses artists, architects, graphic designers, galleries, theaters, non-profits, commercial offices, restaurants and retail tenants that would not have considered locating here 15 years ago.
For fifteen years, the FCBID has worked closely with local businesses, property owners and the City of New York on specialized and ongoing programs to improve the quality of life and economic vitality for all who live, work and do business here. And, in doing so, we have worked hard to create an environment that is appealing to a variety of tenant categories.
Sanitation and Public Safety are still the backbone of our operations, as they are for any BID. But we also have extensive information services, tourism and promotion programs and economic development initiatives that have been retooled over the years to better serve all our tenants, new and old. And our streetscape improvement projects have made a once inhospitable neighborhood more appealing to everyone.
The FCBID remains committed to keeping the district clean and safe, to offering programs that foster a healthy mix of tenants, to creating a physical environment that adds value to our properties AND to making sure that everyone knows the Fashion District is one of the best locations and hottest deals in town!
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