FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 23, 2002
CONTACT:
Matthew Higgins (LMDC) -- (212) 962-2300 -- www.RenewNYC.com
Jennifer Falk (Mayor's Office) -- (212) 788-2958
Public Affairs Officer: (212) 720-3471 -- www.nyc.gov/planning
LOWER MANHATTAN DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION AND DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING ANNOUNCE
STUDY TO STRENGTHEN FULTON STREET AS A RETAIL, ARTS
AND ENTERTAINMENT CORRIDOR
LMDC, City Issue
Request for Proposals Seeking Consultant Services
The
Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and the Department
of City Planning announced today a study to strengthen
and enhance the Fulton Street corridor as an important
retail and arts/entertainment destination - stretching
from the South Street Seaport to the World Financial
Center. The study will examine the existing retail,
arts and entertainment environment along Fulton Street;
analyze the impact of September 11th on this vital
commercial strip; and propose a revitalization strategy
to strengthen and diversify retail outlets and arts/entertainment
venues.
Deputy
Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding Daniel
Doctoroff said, "Our vision for Lower Manhattan's
future includes places to shop and eat, open spaces
for recreation, and cultural institutions to attract
residents and visitors alike to the area. This study
of the Fulton Street corridor is an essential next
step in our efforts to revitalize the business, retail,
arts and entertainment communities, create new jobs
and enhance the streetscape of downtown."
LMDC
President Lou Tomson said, "The LMDC is committed
to revitalizing Manhattan south of Houston Street.
These studies will help carry out the direction of
the Governor and Mayor to create a vibrant, mixed
used community in Lower Manhattan and attract the
amenities that make a neighborhood great. Strengthening
the retail, arts and entertainment mix on the Fulton
Street corridor and creating a variety of housing
will bring us closer to a Lower Manhattan that is
active both day and night."
Amanda
M. Burden, Director of the Department of City Planning
said, "The Revitalization Strategy which will
result from this effort will be crucial to a successful
rebuilding plan for Lower Manhattan. We have an opportunity
now to strengthen this critical corridor which connects
the East River and Seaport on the east and the World
Trade Center site and World Financial Center on the
west."
The
LMDC and City Planning have issued a Request for Proposals
seeking consultants to conduct the study. Responses
are due back by 5pm on October 14 and consultant(s)
will be selected by October 28. The successful respondent
will be asked to complete a detailed report with the
following five components:
- Baseline
analysis of retail and arts/entertainment environment,
including rental rates, store types, and other critical
indicators, to provide a baseline for pre-9/11 and
post 9/11 conditions
- Retail
and arts/entertainment demand study defining
primary and secondary catchment areas, consumer
preferences, demographics and other factors to identify
any unmet demand
- Revitalization
strategy for strengthening and diversifying
retail outlets and arts/entertainment venues (including
cultural uses such as art galleries, jazz clubs,
etc.) throughout the Fulton Corridor, and possible
incentive programs, streetscape enhancements, etc.
to attract them.
- Implementation
plan detailing projected costs, timeframe, mechanism(s)
for carrying out the work, financing strategies,
any required regulatory changes, etc.
- Economic
impact of the plan, in terms of type and number
of retail, arts and entertainment uses likely to
be attracted, number of jobs created, increases
in tax revenues, etc.
The
Request for Proposals is available on LMDC's website,
www.RenewNYC.com. The LMDC and City Planning today
also launched a study of the housing market south
of Chambers Street, and the economic benefit of strengthening
downtown's residential base. The housing study Request
for Proposals is also available on LMDC's website.
About
the LMDC
The
LMDC is a joint State-City corporation formed by the
Governor and Mayor to oversee the rebuilding and revitalization
of Lower Manhattan. The LMDC is governed by a 16-member
Board of Directors -- eight appointed by the Governor,
eight appointed by the Mayor -- and is chaired by
John C. Whitehead. To assist in its mission, the Corporation
has formed several Advisory Councils and a general
Advisory Committee comprised of federal, state and
city elected officials, business and civic leaders
to represent the interests of various constituencies
affected by the September 11th attacks.
About
City Planning
The
Department of City Planning is responsible for the
City's physical and socioeconomic planning, including
land use and environmental review; preparation of
plans and policies; and provision of technical assistance
and planning information to government agencies, public
officials, and community boards.
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