PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Nicole Gardner, Director of Advancement at Building for the Arts
1:55:22
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139 sec
Nicole Gardner, Director of Advancement at Building for the Arts, provided testimony on the organization's history and its role in transforming 42nd Street into a vibrant performing arts hub. She highlighted the economic impact of Theater Row and requested support for cultural districts.
- Building for the Arts, formerly 42nd Street Development Corporation, was instrumental in developing Theater Row and advocating for affordable artist housing.
- Theater Row hosts 300 small performing arts companies annually and contributes to the local economy.
- Gardner requested support for improved signage, wayfinding, and increased sanitation services for 42nd Street's cultural district.
Nicole Gardner
1:55:22
Hi.
1:55:23
I'm Nicole Gardner, director of advancement at the nonprofit building for the arts.
1:55:29
Building for the arts was formed in 1976 as the 42nd Street Development Corporation.
1:55:35
With a vision to transform the severely distressed blocks on 42nd Street West of Port Authority, into a vibrant and inclusive performing arts hub.
1:55:45
We became the backbone of a community movement that brought together civic development and health kitchen community leaders, and a diverse group of local arts organizations already in the neighborhood.
1:55:56
Who transformed the neighborhood by developing the theaters, restaurants, and apartments known as theater Row, and who advocated to turn Manhattan Plaza into affordable housing for artists, the first of its kind.
1:56:09
Since its opening night celebration in 1978, Theater Row has been off Broadway and Independent Theater's home on 42nd Street.
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What's more our audiences provide an economic boost to neighborhood businesses West of Port Authority.
1:56:25
Today, theater row refers to the multi theater complex operated by building for the arts, which hosts 300 mostly small performing arts companies each year, but it also refers to the place, especially 42nd Street between 9th 10th Avenue, which includes our facility, but also includes Our neighbors like playwrights horizons and signature theater, the Lori Beechman Theater, Schubert Stage 42, just to name a few.
1:56:53
We are proud of our organizations, place making, and community building legacy, and It lives on as off Broadway companies continue to gather on theater row, especially now during what is really a very challenging time for the performing arts.
1:57:08
Recently, I was walking by restaurant row, and I noticed there are really wonderful new sidewalk ballers listing all the restaurants on that stretch.
1:57:16
And I thought, we really need that for theater row.
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So we asked the council to support cultural districts like ours by helping us create improved creative signage and way finding and ballards to display the history of the neighborhood and the current cultural organizations' spaces and offerings, as well as increased sanitation services for 42nd Street.
1:57:40
Thank you.
