"How to Reinvigorate 8th Avenue Between Penn Station and Times Square"

Replay of event
Event materials

The stretch of Eighth Avenue in the 30s and 40s is a gateway for hundreds of thousands of tourists, theatergoers, suburban visitors, and office workers who arrive in New York through Penn Station or the Port Authority Bus Terminal. But for decades, it has been one of Manhattan’s most uninviting commercial corridors, grappling with a unique set of challenges that many believe have intensified since the pandemic.

This solutions-focused forum discussed what is needed to reinvigorate this important but long-overlooked district. It explored whether public realm innovations and investments being made in other districts across the city could be replicated on Eighth Avenue, and considered strategies for creating a safer, more vibrant, and more welcoming corridor. And it examined how city leaders can address persistent quality of life concerns while ensuring that the many people in the district facing serious challenges—whether seeking help or not yet connected to services—receive the support they need.

Speakers included:

• State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal
• Dan Garodnick, Chair, City Planning Commission; Director, NYC Department of City Planning
• Barbara Blair, President, The Garment District Alliance
• Vishaan Chakrabarti, Founder & Creative Director, PAU
• Amie Pospisil, COO, Breaking Ground
• Delores Rubin, Co-Chair, Midtown Community Improvement Coalition; President, Midtown North Precinct Community Council

​This event was made possible thanks to generous support from the Garment District Alliance. Other generous funding for this event was provided by GFP Real Estate, the Kaufman Organization, Olmstead Properties, and Meyer Equities.