The Garment District Nyc Year in Review 2019–2020
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THE GARMENT DISTRICT NYC YEAR IN REVIEW 2019–2020 COMMUNITYWORKING FOR OUTREACH YOU For all of us in the Garment District community, and But as we entered the final quarter nesses. During New York State on of the Fiscal Year, life had become Pause, the GDA has adjusted our indeed around the world, this year will forever be very different. staffing and operations. Those who viewed through two lenses: Before Covid-19 and after. were able have been shifted to Throughout the spring, our pedes- remote-working, while our Public trian counting cameras quantified Services department has reduced For the majority of the 2019-2020 neighborhood. In fact, as you will what we were seeing in the neigh- hours and split shifts to minimize Fiscal Year, our local businesses read in this report, it was just a few borhood. Pedestrian activity fell the number of employees on site and properties enjoyed a strong months ago that we hosted our more than 90% from what it was at any one time. economy, and the GDA engaged in most popular interactive installa- one year ago, as New Yorkers active programming to draw busi- tion on Broadway, which drew wisely adopted social distancing We continue to deliver our ness tenants and customers to the thousands to the pedestrian plazas. > measures to decrease the spread essential services of sanitation of Covid-19. Many businesses shift- and public safety. Though ed to a work-from-home model, demand has decreased, we are but many others have been keeping the neighborhood spot- severely impacted by the crisis. less, and taking this time to Restaurants and retailers have complete various maintenance been particularly affected, as cus- projects, so the Garment tomers disappeared, and business District will be looking its best dried up. Some manage to remain as people return. open with take-out and delivery services, some have closed tempo- > We are also serving as a conduit rarily, and sadly others are in dan- for public information and links ger of not being able to reopen to critical support programs for when the time comes. businesses of all kinds. As we receive relevant information, Throughout the crisis, the GDA we distribute it to our members has remained operational, and we through regular email notices, continue to do everything we can and we maintain a Covid-19 to support neighborhood busi- information page on our website, 2 While 2019–2020 may not be ending in the way we “Throughout New anticipated when the year began, we are ready for York State on the days to come when all our businesses, residents Pause, the GDA and visitors return to the Garment District. has remained operational, and which includes a compilation of know that we are here to provide Pedestrian activity decreased by more we continue to information, programs and support in any way we can to all than 90% during New York on Pause opportunities as we know them. who live, work, or visit in the 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% do everything Garment District NYC. Mar 1 we can to support > We are promoting local busi- Mar 3 nesses that remain operational We wish good health to all as we Mar 5 our Garment through email notices, as well work through this challenge Mar 7 as listings on our website and together. As we take a look back Mar 9 District businesses.” the websites of our local com- at our activities of the past year, Mar 11 munity boards. we do so with anticipation of the Mar 13 –Martin Meyer days to come when the Garment Mar 15 > And most importantly, we have District is bustling with activity Mar 17 been working diligently to con- again, when buildings and restau- Mar 19 nect factories that are able to rants are full, and pedestrians Mar 21 make masks and PPEs with the populate our streets and plazas Mar 23 Federal, State and City govern- once more. Mar 25 ments, and with other industry Mar 27 Mar 29 sectors that need support in Barbara A. Blair Martin Meyer Mar 31 this work. This not only pres- President Chair Apr 2 ents opportunities for factories Apr 4 to keep personnel employed, Apr 6 but also boosts the supply of Apr 8 critical resources. Apr 10 Apr 12 While 2019-2020 may not be Apr 14 ending in the way we anticipated Apr 16 when the year began, we know Apr 18 this crisis will pass, and the diffi- Apr 20 cult work of economic and emo- Apr 22 tional recovery will begin. Please 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% 3 NEIGHBORHOOD PROMOTION ART ON THE PLAZAS Nymph Pond those who passed by. Surrounded Inspired by the waters of the by the lush plantings of the Urban Garment District Art on the Plazas is a year-round Galapagos Islands, Carla Torres’ Garden, the Nymph Pond offered public art program on Broadway. Temporary large Nymph Pond invited contemplation serenity to all who visited the and evoked a sense of peace in our Garment District last summer. scale exhibits and individual pieces enhance the Urban Garden during July and Carla Torres is a New York illustra- public plazas, making them even more welcoming to August. The 180 foot road mural tor, born and raised in Ecuador. depicted nymphs, the mythical Her work has been exhibited local- New Yorkers and visitors. guardians of nature, peeking out ly and internationally, and has won from the depths and calling to several illustration awards. 4 Impulse was the GDA’s signature project this “Impulse was an year. Thousands came to the Garment District interactive experi- to enjoy the playful installation, increasing ence that was the Broadway pedestrian counts by more than 34%. largest and most popular installation Impulse the Garment District This January, we hosted Impulse, Alliance has ever our most popular installation to date. Twelve oversized, interac- produced. Reviews tive seesaws were installed in the Winter Garden on Broadway were great!” between 37th and 38th Streets during the month of January. The –Barbara Blair ever-changing installation creat- ed dynamic lights and sounds that sent pulses of warmth into winter’s short days and dark nights. Designed by Canada’s Lateral Office and CS Design, and produced by Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, Impulse made its Broadway debut to rave reviews. During Impulse, our Broadway pedestri- an counts increased by 34% as locals and tourists stood in line to take turns, day and night. Media coverage from The New York Times, TimeOutNY, NBC, Fox5, amNY, New York Post, ABC News, Gothamist, Elle Décor, and many others encouraged people to explore the unique installation, as you will read throughout this Annual Report. 5 GDA programs, installations and events draw people to the neighborhood and support local businesses. Arts Festival The GDA hosted our 16th Fashion District Arts Festival from October 17th through 19th. The Festival included over 100 open studios, gal- leries, art installations, and events. This will mark our final arts festival, as our resources and programming have turned to other areas, but the GDA remains committed to the art- ists and creative professionals of the Garment District. We will continue to display the works of local artists in our Spaces for Public Art, and to Social media promote local exhibitions and events. The GDA is active on all social media channels, and also engages influencers to promote neighbor- hood events and amenities to a broader audience. Our plaza programming and influ- encer campaigns had a significant impact on our social media this year: Wednesday Refreshments 32% Increase in Instagram followers During our street closure installa- 3,175,832 Impressions tions, we offered free refreshments 18,765 Engagements every Wednesday afternoon. And we had our 3 most engaged Broadway Squeeze brought lemon- posts of all time this year, including ade and iced tea to last summer’s the NYPD’s @lovek9louie at Urban Garden, while hot cocoa and Impulse (see above) cider warmed the Winter Garden in The Winter Garden and Impulse January. generated the most response, by far: 12% Increase in Instagram followers Arts Festival photos from bottom left: Margaret Zox Brown, Last Rites 50,022 Impressions Gallery, Arleen Joseph, SL Gallery, and ZAZ10TS. 3,258 Engagements Arts Festival photos: Laurentiu Garofeanu 6 Plaza Markets “There are glowing UrbanSpace Garment District returned to Broadway between seesaws in Midtown 39th and 40th Streets, from September 23 to October 28. Our and New Yorkers are popular food market presented losing it...adults eight new concepts and old favor- ites, such as Jicama California were exuberantly Fresh, Balkan Bites, and Monk’s Vegan Smokehouse. The GDA is reliving childhood, currently in the process of review- yelping and hollering ing concepts for FY21 markets and plaza activations. with joy on one of the busiest streets Fashion Walk of Fame in Manhattan.” Last fall, we removed the Fashion Walk of Fame markers from the east side of Seventh “Fashion” –The New York Times Avenue. The FWoF was started in 1999 to honor New York’s most significant fashion designers, but the plaques were starting to wear after 20 years. The GDA hopes to commission the Council of Fashion Designers of America to design new markers, and all pre- vious, as well as additional, indus- try notables will be honored in the “new” Fashion Walk of Fame. Info Services The GDA has added a unique plug-in to our neighborhood website. Developed by Live XYZ, our interactive retail map allows viewers to search ground floor establishments by location, category or cuisine. Images, as well as daily specials and events, are displayed.