For Lower Manhattan stores, residential conversions will mean tens of thousands
of new customers living down the block. The amount of retail space Downtown
is expected to increase dramatically, especially at the redeveloped World
Trade Center site. And a completed Fulton Street Transit Center, with even
more retail space inside, is expected to bring new opportunities as an untold
number of subway riders will be arriving in a new-look Lower Manhattan.
That's the good news, said real estate and retail experts at "What
Every Downtown Business Should Know," a forum last month on the future
of the Lower Manhattan economic landscape sponsored by Community Board 1.
The bad news for small business owners Downtown is that construction projects
will clog Lower Manhattan streets over the next decade, and once all the
work is complete, ground-floor retail rents are expected to go through the
roof.
"We see retail rents rising," said Steve Soutendijk of Cushman
& Wakefield, "with no end in sight."
Jim Downey, also with Cushman & Wakefield, cited a cosmetics retail
chain that recently signed a lease on lower Broadway for $215 per square
foot.
"The market may not be good news for museums and nonprofits," he said.
Downey said he projected 10 to 20 percent rent increases in Lower Manhattan
over the next three to five years, and considerably higher rates around
the World Trade Center site once construction is complete.
Ira Davidson, director of the the Pace Small Business Center, said store
owners need to plan now, not only to survive all the construction, but to
compete with large retailers that can afford to pay higher rents Downtown.
"Regardless of the way things turn out, you are going to have to adapt,"
he said. "This is the time to get your feet on the ground."
Amy Bergenfeld, part-owner of the Civil Service Bookshop, a longtime fixture
on Worth Street, said she came to the forum to learn how her business "could
get a piece of the pie." She did not leave the meeting feeling hopeful
that she would be getting much of a slice.
"This is the gold rush," she said. "They're coming in, and
we're going to be out of here."
Apply Now to Use BPC Ballfields This Spring
Battery Park City's ball fields will open on May 1 but make your reservations now. Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, which maintains and manages the ball fields, is now accepting applications for spring and summer Ball Field Permits. Permits are required for groups of ten or more people wanting to reserve a playing field for softball and soccer.
Permit applications are due on March 1.
For more information and a permit application, call 212-267-9700 or download from http://www.bpcparks.org/bpcp/news/rules.php#fields
Tribeca Film Festival organizers are seeking volunteers to be part of the 2006 event, which will take place April 25 to May 7. Volunteers are needed to help with special events, the box office, screenings, the Family Festival and other programs. Question-and-answer sessions for volunteers will be held Feb. 13 and 27 at 7 p.m. at Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick St. Go to www.tribecafilmfestival.org for an application.
Kenneth Jackson, professor of history at Columbia University and editor of "The Encyclopedia of New York City," will speak this month on the history and future of Lower Manhattan. The lecture, "From Dutch Outpost to World Capital," will be Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at John Street Methodist Church, 44 John St. The talk, presented by the Downtown Alliance, is free, but reservations are required. Call 212-835-2773.
"Creative Time and Space," a forum about artist residencies
and colonies for artists of all kinds, will be held Feb. 9 at the Michael
Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University. The panel discussion
is free.
Learn about the differences between colonies and residencies, the best
way to apply, and how to make the most of the experience. Panelists include
representatives from The MacDowell Colony, the Lower Manhattan Cultural
Council, Art Omi, Skowhegan, Ragdale Foundation, and Bemis Center for
Contemporary Art. For information, go to www.lmcc.net.
The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation is asking the public to submit personal Sept. 11 stories and photographs online. The shared stories are part of the foundation's effort to build a digital archive for the planned memorial museum. The stories and photographs are to be included in the museum's collection of artifacts and personal objects marking everyday life in the Twin Towers. The museum is slated to open in 2009. Go to www.buildthememorial.org for submission forms and guidelines.
TriBattery Pops, a gazebo group that performs marching-band music, is
in search of musicians of all ages. Woodwind, brass and percussion players
are welcome.
Call Church Street School for Music and Art at 212-571-7290, or email
TomGoodkind@aol.com.
The Downtown Glee Club is holding auditions for male singers on
Feb. 7 at 8:15 p.m. at 74 Trinity Place, second floor. Prior experience
or ability to read music are not necessary.
For more information call Jerry Osterberg at 516-248-7549 or email osterbergg@aol.com.
A resource guide listing services, support organizations, and assistance and incentive programs for Downtown businesses is available online at www.lowermanhattan.info or at Lower Manhattan Business Solutions Center, 79 John St.
