By Danielle Marra

By May 30, the Metropolitan Transportation Agency, Jones Lang LaSalle, the owner of Grand Central Terminal, the retail managers and the U.S. Green Building Council New York Chapter will be prepared to host yet another Holiday Fair. This year’s Holiday Fair Design Competition is going to be fierce.

This year the theme is “green,” taking retail to an environmental level. The idea of “going green” has become a popular and rewarding trend through raising awareness of global warming and helping to serve the environment.

“The concern for the environment is very popular now, which is a very positive sign,” said Karen Weber, the marketing director for Grand Central Terminal. The competition, she says, is “a demonstration of how government, corporate and nonprofit sectors can come together to promote an important issue through creative solutions.”

In “going green” this year, the competition objectives aim to reduce environmental harm and raise awareness through the display of exemplary designs at Grand Central Terminal. Builders will be recognized and awarded for their creativity, dedication and commitment to their designs.

The idea to make this year’s competition revolve around the green theme was brought to attention by the U.S. Green Building Council. Weber says the idea “sent ripple effects into the broader market.” They are confident that consumers and designers alike can make changes that will benefit the environment, “including the design of their own work and living spaces.” This year’s design competition will be judged by world-renowned designers and architects.

“We have an amazing group of judges,” Weber says. “From star architects to leaders in sustainable building. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have this group on board.” Such stars include David Rockwell, who has done the set design for productions like “Hairspray,” and Thom Filicia, an influence interior designer, among others. High-profile designers in this high-profile building attract plenty of attention.

The Green Central Terminal, the clever name for the Web site where people can apply their designs to the competition, has already received many inquires. “We feel that it will definitely be a great competition and a tough judging decision,” Weber says.

Some may question why there is any need to raise green awareness or environmental sustainability in the retail market. “Because we spend a lot of time shopping!” Weber says. “Shops are accessible to everyone which makes retail an ideal setting to promote better, more thoughtful design that reduces the impact of the consumer choices we make.” Since Grand Central Terminal is a center for social congregation, visitors and locals alike will be affected by the winning design, even in passing.

“Hopefully consumers will understand that Grand Central is committed to the community by bringing in great shopping through an environmentally aware atmosphere,” Weber says.

While the Holiday Fair is directed towards consumers, those orchestrating this year’s design fair hope to reach out to other markets and businesses as well to better encourage environmental and social awareness.

Just because their design theme is all about green, however, does not necessarily mean the products sold will be so encouraging of saving the environment. “Of course green products are important, but the jury looks for the quality of the goods and desire of our consumers in order to make sure we have the best fair in the City each year,” Weber explains. The vendors will be decided by a jury early this summer.