New York City government has protected Midtown's Garment District from rising rents by way of a zoning resolution dubbed the Special Garment Center District Since 1987. In spite of an industry that's constantly in flux, designers and manufacturers have been able to operate in the iconic neighborhood, which is widely regarded as the epicenter of New York's fashion industry.

The area occupies less than 20 blocks in the heart of Manhattan, and business owners there enjoy a level of protection that's hard to come by in New York—especially in such a highly-coveted part of the city. All of that may be coming to an end.

A plan put forth by local officials and the New York City Economic Development Corporation might move a large portion of fashion industry across the East River and into Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood. It's backed by the Garment District Alliance, a group founded by the district's hundreds of property owners and thousands of businesses, but has drawn criticism from designers who rely on the Midtown location.

Stephanie Baez of the NYCEDC states that the proposal to lift the 1987 zoning regulations would not change the underlying zoning for the area, which is currently zoned for manufacturing. The NYCED and the Council of Fashion Designers of America have collaborated on a $51.3 million package to help incentivize manufacturers to make the move. The money will go towards grants for investments in new machinery and technology, training programs and relocation costs.

It's unclear on what will become of the Garment District if the business that, you know, make garments vacate the neighborhood. The NYCEDC notes that the zoning regulations would limit new residential and hotel developments in the area.