From Bryant Park to Lincoln Center-Will Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (“MBFW”) Have to Move Again?

In September 2010, MBFW was hosted in Damrosch Park, at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, for the first time. This came from increasing pressure at the time from Bryant Park Management to relocate. It may be that in the near future another move could occur.

About a month ago, NYC Parks Advocates, the Committee for Environmentally Sound Development and Damrosch family members filed a lawsuit. The suit is against NYC and Lincoln Center. The claim alleges illegal usage of public land for private purposes for a significant about of time during a 12-month calendar year, more specifically 10 out of 12 months. The 10 months is comprised of events such as MBFW (twice a year) and the Big Apple Circus.

Damrosch Park

Further, there is a claim that approximately $32 million of Damrosch Park revenue is being diverted to Lincoln Center instead of going to public parks. The complaint cites to the NY State Public Trust Doctrine for its basis, which cites that “legislative approval is required for the alienation of or change in parkland usage.” Also, as a part of this claim, is a demand that a license agreement between the city’s park department and Lincoln Center be terminated, and that any concession revenue be paid to the city’s general fund. (From NY Times)

From NY Press, Kate Ahlers, of the NYC Law Department commented that “Fashion Week is an important part of the City’s cultural and economic fabric, generating $865 million each year while also creating fashion-related jobs…..And Lincoln Center maintains a close relationship with the City, presenting hundreds of free events each year.”

I did reach out to Lincoln Center, which declined to make any official comment at this time. This is just the start of this lawsuit and it is one I plan to track and post about upon new updates. At this time, I do not see any likelihood that fashion week, for the Fall of 2013, would be affected, unless some quick movement can be made with a motion and then an issuance of an injunction. However, formal suit has yet to be served upon the co-defendants, which means there answer has also not been filed. Being that June is almost over and fashion week starts in September, the timeline would have to pick up quite a bit of speed.

Lincoln Center

SO IF YOU ARE IN NEW YORK, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? SHOULD FASHION WEEK MOVE? IS THERE A VALID CLAIM BEING MADE HERE? LET ME KNOW, AS I FURTHER REVIEW THIS ISSUE, I THINK THE PUBLIC COMMENT IS IMPORTANT!