Partnership Activities

Keeping Our Streets and Sidewalks Clean: Sanitation Supervisor Mamadou Ndiaye

USP's Sanitation Supervisor, Mamadou Ndiaye has been working to keep our district clean since 1996.  Over the years, Mamadou has witnessed an increase in activity with the arrival of major businesses like Whole Foods Markets on Union Square South. "More people means more garbage," he notes, adding that USP's sanitation staff collect over 200 bags of garbage a day. The sanitation team has grown from 5 to 8 people with increased hours to meet the neighborhood's needs.

A native of Senegal in West Africa, Mamadou studied Physics before he traveled to the United States in 1987.  Each month he sends a percentage of his earnings to his family, who share the wealth throughout the neighborhood.  Still, Union Square feels like home to Mamadou, who knows every corner, street, and store owner.  He says, "It's great to work for the community in one of the busiest places in the city."

USP Decks the Pavilion with a Greenmarket Wreath

At the beginning of December, USP's Executive Director, Karen H. Shaw hung a holiday wreath on the Pavilion building in Union Square Park.  Each year, the NYC Parks and Recreation Department provides a crane to assist with hanging a six-foot festive holiday wreath, which the USP purchases from the Greenmarket.  If you haven't already, 'tis the season to stop by the Greenmarket on the north plaza of Union Square Park for beautiful holiday trees and wreaths, as well as other seasonal foods and goodies.  As always, the Greenmarket is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 A.M.- 6 P.M.

Holiday lights are bright along 14th Street and all around Union Square Park.  For the second year, USP adorned lamposts throughout the BID with shooting star lights.  The twenty-four shooting star lights decorating the district are sponsored by the Partnership with support by donations from local businesses and Partnership board members. 

Neighborhood Activities

Union Square's Metronome Counts Down to the New Year

The Metronome at One Union Square South, inspires both intrigue and bafflement, even for New York City natives. To provide insight or refresh your memory as to the mysterious Metronome's meaning, "The Passage," or the 15 illuminated numerals, display the hours, minutes and seconds elapsed in the day, as well as the hours, minutes and seconds remaining till midnight.  This year, as an alternative to Times Square, join New Yorkers in-the-know at the Metronome's base to count down to the New Year. For more information about this local landmark, visit http://metronome.related.com/fact.htm

Spend your holiday around the Square!  Why travel into the cold when you have the heart of Off-broadway and a full menu of restaurant options right here in Union Square.  Here are some hot ideas for this holiday season:

Experience the magical, snowy scenery of Slava's Snowshow, in the warmth of the Union Square Theatre on 100 East 17th Street, now through February 26.  Slava, the "world's greatest clown" will delight the whole family with a Cirque du Soleil style performance.  For ticket information, call 212.505.0700 or visit www.ticketmaster.com

Ring in the New Year with La Fiesta, a celebratory feast, mariachi music, a live DJ and dancing on December 31st at Rosa Mexicano and toast to 2006 with a Patron Tequila Royale.  Union Square's Rosa Mexicano is located at 9 East 18th Street.  For reservations, call 212.533.3350.

Project for Public Spaces Names Union Square Park one of Top 5 Squares in North America

The Project for Public Spaces (PPS) named Union Square Park and Greenmarket as one of the top public Squares in the United States and Canada.  "Today this remarkable Square has become a powerful district within a city, with many outstanding destinations to boast of."  The ranking also highlighted the Greenmarket on the Park's north end as the hub of community activity.  For more information, visit www.pps.org

Community Calendar

Get into the spirit of the season of giving.  From now through January 6th, drop off non-perishable food items at New York City Firehouses, Police Precincts, the lobby of the Daily News (450 West 33rd Street), and all Modell's Sporting Goods throughout the City. Last year this annual food drive, run by City Harvest, collected and distributed more that 220 tons of canned foods to feed the City's hungry. For more information on donation locations, please call 212.490.9535.

Electronics Recycling in Union Square Park

Many common home electronics contain hazardous matierials, making disposal tricky.  Bring your unwanted tv, computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, cell phone and printer to Union Square's north plaza on Sunday January 8th between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M.  The Lower East Side Ecology Center will recycle your electronics for free in an environmentally sound way.  For more information, call 212.477.4022.  Visit the Lower East Side Ecology Center online at www.lesecologycenter.org

Mulchfest: Chip in and Help NYC Grow!

Mark your calendar for Sunday, January 8, when you can bring your holiday tree to Union Square Park East to be recycled into mulch by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.  The mulch will be used to nourish plantings across the five boroughs.  Just please remember to remove all lights and ornaments!  For more information, call 311 or visit the Parks Department website at www.nyc.gov/parks.

Attention Small Businesses: Suceeding for Technology Conference

On Friday, January 27, the Small Business Technology Institute is holding a one day conference for small business owners, managers and staff to learn about information technology techniques to help boost your office productivity, financial management and much more.  The $20 conference fee includes breakfast, lunch and a subscription to the Small Business Technology Magazine.  For more information and to register, visit http://www.theworldofdifference.org/ny20

Did You Know?

New Subway Rules are in Effect

Be sure to mind your P's and Q's on the N and R!  New subway rules went into effect on December 5 and violations can result in an arrest, fine, and/or ejection from the system.  Do not:

• Jump the turnstile or enter the system improperly, even if your MetroCard is not working properly
• Refuse to present your special fare card to a police officer or transit employee
• Straddle a bicycle, wear in-line or roller skates, stand on a skateboard or ride a scooter
• Move between the end doors of a subway car whether or not the train is in motion, except in an emergency or when directed by a police officer or conductor
• Place your foot on the seat of a subway, bus, or platform bench; occupy more than one seat or place bags on an empty seat when doing so would interfere with transit operations or the comfort of other customers

For more information, visit  http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/rules/

The Union Square Partnership, a non-profit organization, works to ensure the community's vibrancy as a center for business, culture and education and to improve the quality of life for its residents and businesses, by providing supplemental public safety, sanitation, business promotion and economic development services throughout the district. The Union Square Partnership, comprised of a Business Improvement District and Local Development Corporation, facilitates economic development by spearheading educational, economic development and park projects and acting as a liaison between community, business and government leaders.

Visit the Partnership online at www.unionsquarenyc.org