Show Off Your District Pride with 2010 Sponsorships

USP has a multitude of ways for neighborhood businesses to market themselves within the district. Look up above and check out our winter lampposts or call us to discuss our 2010 Summer in the Square series, which will take place every Thursday from June 17th through August 12th. SITS attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each week and sponsors receive increased visibility in the area both online and on event days. For more information about these and other sponsorship opportunities, contact Carin Cardone.

Union Square Park Playground Open

USP is pleased to announce that Manhattan's newest showpiece, the 15,000-square-foot Union Square Park playground, opened at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 2nd to the delight of neighborhood kids. Pictured at left, Sebastian Buck, age 3, was the first to test drive the park's new play equipment. The North End Project is now 92% complete. Click here for the latest construction update. To download a PDF copy of the North End Project brochure, click here.

Best Buy Enjoys First Holiday Season

Customer Solutions Manager Sy Paulson said, "We are happy to report our new location is doing great and each day reminds us how lucky we are to be a part of the Union Square community. Like the Square, our 24-hour store rarely ‘sleeps’ and we are eager to welcome our enthusiastic customers from neighborhood locals to travelers from other parts of the metro area." For the latest news about special promotions and events, follow Best Buy on Twitter! .

New Business Welcome

Baked by Melissa (7 East 14th Street, 212 842-0220) opened its second location in Union Square last month. The tiny shop sells a collection of bite sized stuffed cupcakes. Flavors include s'mores, cookie dough, peanut butter cup and PB&J. A box of six sells for $5.50, and the more cupcakes you buy, the cheaper they are!

Wi-Fi Access In Union Square Park

The Union Square Partnership is now offering park visitors a wide-ranging public Wi-Fi network for use of laptops, iPhones, and other wireless devices. This new “unionsquarewifi” network will allow fast and easy access to the web for over 250 simultaneous users daily. The Wi-Fi Hot Zone, one of the most comprehensive in the country, covers the entire park and along the surrounding side streets.

Big Belly's Greening Union Square

USP is the first business improvement district in NYC to pilot the use of Big Belly solar-powered trash compactors. Three units were placed at some of the district’s busiest corners at 14th St & B’way, 14th St & University Place, and 17th St & B’way to gauge their effectiveness. The compactors have already made a huge impact by reducing garbage collection frequency by nearly 70% at these corners.

Marketing Opportunity - Banner Program

As part of our ongoing effort to market and promote the Union Square neighborhood, USP places co-branded lamppost banners throughout the district to highlight the businesses who are vested in the community. To participate as a corporate sponsor and receive brand recognition and logo placement, click here for more information.