Thanks to Mayor Bloomberg, State Assembly Speaker Silver, Governors Paterson and Christie, Chris Ward of the Port Authority and Larry Silverstein of Silverstein Properties for their leadership over the last year in moving the World Trade Center project forward.

Steel is rising on the site, trees are being planted and the National September 11 Memorial is on schedule to open next year.

But that’s not all that is happening in Lower Manhattan. Since 2008, close to 300 businesses—from financial services to media—have relocated here.

From the restaurant rows of Stone, Pearl and Front streets to the exciting new and planned restaurants in Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan is alive not only after work but on nights and weekends, too.

The residential population in the district has more than doubled in the last nine years. The number of hotels has tripled. While Wall Street remains one of the world’s premier financial-services addresses, Lower Manhattan is now a hub for creative services.

The new South Ferry]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=327 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=327 Lower Manhattan is heating up for fashion week.

Through a partnership with the Alliance for Downtown New York, the award-winning Nolcha Fashion Week: New York will be held in Lower Manhattan from Sept. 13 to Sept. 16. The event will present spring 2011 collections to media, buyers and industry insiders at 195 Broadway. It runs simultaneously with New York Fashion Week.

“Wall Street is known around the world for financial services, but for 400 years it has also been a hub of creativity and innovation,” said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Downtown Alliance. “So welcome to Nolcha and the 2010 showcase for the designs of tomorrow—in an historic building that’s easy to get to.”

“Aligning with the Downtown Alliance allows an added value of business support, industry outreach and city growth for ourselves and the brands we work with for Nolcha Fashion week: New York,” said Nolcha CEO Kerry Bannigan. “I look forward to building on a long lasting relationship with such a reputable organization.”

The collections debuting include Stella Simona, Narciss, Nicole Bridger, Liz Fields, Hepsen Uzcan, Vivienne Pash and N Kwon. Additionally, Tammam, Gunnas, Zele, Miksani, Vella Mode and Vicerra will showcase at the Ethical Fashion Preview in association]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=326 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=326

The Alliance for Downtown New York is installing three new pieces by New York City native Richard Pasquarelli as part of the organization’s successful Re:Construction public art program that turns construction sites into urban canvases, the first of which was unveiled this week.

“Now Lower Manhattan’s 300,000 workers, 55,000 residents and six million annual visitors can enjoy the fantastic work of Richard Pasquarelli as part of our program to recast construction sites as canvases for innovative public art and architecture,” said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Downtown Alliance. “Think of Re:Construction as an intervention to create a cheerful and welcoming environment in the midst of an urban renewal. We’re so pleased to have Richard onboard.”

Re:Construction is a public art program produced by the Downtown Alliance and funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. Engaging, thoughtful and whimsical, the temporary artworks are creating colorful landmarks and brightened streetscapes as they help mitigate the impact of Downtown’s numerous building projects. The program began in 2007 and has produced 16 pieces, seven of which are up for viewing. BravinLee programs consulted on the three new installments for the Downtown Alliance.

“The project’s three masterful designs create an]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=325 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=325 The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners today ratified a series of agreements to ensure full restoration of the entire World Trade Center site. Alliance for Downtown New York Chairman Robert R. Douglass and President Elizabeth H. Berger issued the following statement on the Board’s authorization:

“This is fantastic news for Lower Manhattan, the city and the nation. With full financing of the site’s office towers solidified, completion of Towers 2, 3 and 4 is now ensured. The Memorial is set to open by the 10th anniversary of the attacks and the World Trade Center has already emerged as an attractive place to do business for top international companies. Recent deals signed by the Daily News, American Media and Healthfirst are proof positive that Lower Manhattan is the city’s hottest business address. Today’s vote will create an even bigger reason for local, national and international companies to move Downtown. We applaud the Port Authority, Silverstein Properties, Governor Paterson, Governor Christie, Speaker Silver and Mayor Bloomberg for today’s important achievement.”

“Downtown had a blockbuster month of leasing, topping the five-year monthly average by 63%,” CBRE says in its MarketView Downtown Manhattan Snapshot for August 2010. The report analyzes commercial real estate market activity in Manhattan in July. The report also notes:

• July was the first time that Downtown outperformed its five-year monthly leasing average since August 2009.
• Downtown produced the most substantial positive absorption in a single month since January 2008 and experienced the largest one-month decline in availability rate since April 2007.
• The average asking rent edged up during the month, due to the leasing of lower-priced space.
• Downtown activity remained ahead of 2009 levels, although it continued to lag 2008 leasing by about 8 percent for the year to date.
• Activity levels exceeded the month’s historical leasing average, even without HealthFirst’s deal at 100 Church Street.

As the Alliance for Downtown New York noted in a report last month, year-to-date leasing activity south of Chambers Street jumped 28 percent from 2009 to approximately 1.4 million square feet]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=321 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:05:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=321 The River To River Festival, New York City’s largest free summer arts program, concludes its free movie nights on the Elevated Acre series tonight with the 1984 classic, The Muppets Take Manhattan. The Alliance for Downtown New York is serving as the series’ presenting partner for the first time.

“With summer river breezes at sunset, sweeping views of the East River bridges and New York Harbor and a unique vantage point, the Elevated Acre could be the best place to watch a movie in Manhattan, said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “And I can’t think of a better finale to the season than The Muppets Take Manhattan. The music is beautiful and timeless, and it’s a true New York City classic for all ages.”

Frank Oz directs this 1984 ode to Broadway in which the Muppets travel to New York intent on finding a producer for their musical, Manhattan Melodies. It will be preceded by a short film by Jay Hufford.

Showtime is at 8 PM, though you can pick up free tickets - distributed two per person - at the street-level Water Street entrance to the Elevated Acre on a first-come, first-served basis starting]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=323 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=323 For one night last September in New York City (and 12 other cities around the world), designers, celebrities, models and fashion editors participated in exciting, one-of-a-kind events in stores open to the public after hours. Customers relished the street-party atmosphere, while retailers saw a surge of new shoppers and increased sales.

Fashion’s Night Out returns to New York City on Friday, September 10, from 6 to 11 PM.

Last year, more than 800 participating stores across the five boroughs feted thousands of shoppers who supported the fashion and retail industries—and this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better. Fashion’s Night Out is a collaboration among American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company and the City of New York.

Throughout the months leading up to the big night, visit www.fashionsnightout.com, where you can sign up for updates and stay informed.

Among this year’s participants are a number of Downtown New York establishments, including:

Banana Republic, 3 WFC: Join us for a celebration of style. Shop the newest arrivals and receive shopping incentives full-priced merchandise all night long. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, while supplies last. One night only – only at select Banana Republic NYC stores.]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=322 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=322 Alliance for Downtown New York President Elizabeth H. Berger today issued the following statement after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that underpinning for the Corbin Building and the foundation for the Fulton Street Transit Center Building are complete, marking a major milestone in the $1.4 billion project.

“Once completed, the Fulton Transit Center will be a world-class transit hub serving a world-class central business district. And it’s just one piece of the amazing transformation we’re experiencing in Lower Manhattan. From real progress at the World Trade Center site to the upcoming openings of the East River Waterfront Esplanade and Frank Gehry’s Beekman Tower, the district will continue to meet the demands of its 300,000 workers, 55,000 residents and more than six million annual visitors and remain a destination of choice for the city’s premier commercial and retail tenants. Thanks to MTA Chairman Jay Walder and his Capital Construction team for their steadfast commitment to this project.”

The Transit Center will connect five subway stations, ten subway lines and the PATH train, improving access for more than 300,000 daily customers. The overall project, funded primarily with federal funds, remains on schedule and will be completed in 2014. You can learn more about]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=320 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=320 Alliance for Downtown New York President Elizabeth H. Berger issued the following statement today after New York State Governor David A. Paterson signed an extension of the Lower Manhattan Energy Program through 2013 into law:

"The Alliance for Downtown New York applauds the passage of the Lower Manhattan Energy Program extension [A.11041/S.7327] that will provide low-cost energy benefits to 1,456 Lower Manhattan businesses. These substantial savings reduce the overall cost of doing business in Lower Manhattan, making office space more competitive with job centers in New Jersey and other suburban districts—especially critical to New York City following a recession. Thanks to Speaker Silver, Senator Padavan, Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson for helping to ensure that Lower Manhattan remains a 24/7 world-class business district and destination of choice for prospective tenants.”

The Alliance for Downtown New York today welcomed the city’s first “pop-up café”—an innovative, temporary new curbside seating platform—to Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan. While anyone can enjoy the space, the platform was installed by adjacent restaurants Fika and Bombay’s, which will maintain and remove the platform later this year at their own expense. The program’s effectiveness will be evaluated to help determine if similar spaces should be created elsewhere in the city.

“As we know from the success of Stone Street, the addition of outdoor seating creates an exciting new destination for Downtown’s 300,000 workers, 55,000 residents and six million annual visitors,” said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “The Department of Transportation’s new pop-up café platform is an especially creative way to add seating along a street with narrow sidewalks. We hope everyone will come enjoy this great new addition to the neighborhood.”

Thursday, Downtown Alliance Senior Vice President for Planning and Economic Development Nicole LaRusso joined DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz and Community Board 1 Financial District Chairman Ro Sheffe at a news conference to officially unveil the space. Also making an appearance was cycling enthusiast]]>