Is Fashion Week Getting Kicked Out Of Lincoln Center?

It seems as if Lincoln Center is getting a bit frustrated with New York Fashion Week. Local residents and environmental groups alike have filed suit against the city of New York and Lincoln Center, demanding that New York Fashion Week, and other commercial events, be held elsewhere.

According to the New York Times, the suit claims that public access to Damrosch Park (the park at Lincoln Center) is limited for up to 10 months each year because of commercial events: fashion week in mid-August, The Big Apple Circus (which hold residency from mid-October through January), and another fashion week in February.

Damrosch Park is also rented out for private events and fundraisers throughout the year. Apparently, local residents have been frustrated with this for quite some time, but are only now taking action. The suit also claims that the $32 million generated from the city’s July 2010 license agreement with Lincoln Center is not being dispersed as it should be, which is back into the city. Instead, the funds are being diverted to Lincoln Center.

“These actions constitute an illegal alienation of Damrosch Park in violation of the New York State Public Trust Doctrine and other laws,” said NYC Park Advocates, a nonprofit watchdog group, in a release.

Fashion Week was already moved from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center in 2010 -- is it bound to be relocated again? Maybe not.

“The city is awaiting formal service of the suit and will review it carefully,” said Kate O’Brien Ahlers, a spokeswoman for the New York City Law Department. “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.”

I wouldn’t be too worried Fashion Week fans.

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