The proposal, known as the Chelsea Rezoning Plan, was first conceived by the community board to preserve the neighborhood's residential character and spur new low-cost housing. But while the Planning Department's version left much of the community's plan intact, it also rezones manufacturing areas between 6th and 7th Avenues for market-rate housing and commercial development. At least 26 commercial printers, bookbinders and other graphic companies are currently located in buildings that would be hit by the change. Printers complain that they were entirely left out of the planning process and that the change is a gift to the real estate industry, which stands to make substantial profits from the shift. Hanover Lithographing Co. His 10-person firm, which has been in Manhattan since 1967, would be directly affected by the plan.
Many printers simply see it yet as another disastrous jolt to their trade.
Last year, more than 100 printers were sent packing when Trinity Church and other landlords in Lower Manhattan informed them that they were converting their buildings to more profitable office uses. Printers need to be in close proximity to the financial industry, ad agencies and other clients who often need to make late-night press checks. So far, however, a 18-month long search by the industry has produced no suitable buildings in Manhattan. While some printers have reluctantly begun to consider relocating to Long Island City, rising rents and a limited supply of space prevents a large number of firms from moving there. Industry officials predict that many printers will either have to relocate to New Jersey or go out of business.