Partnership News

Summer in the Square begins June 28

Welcome to our ninth annual season of Summer In The Square!  The Union Square Partnership will be hosting our FREE weekly performance series in the Park every Wednesday from June 28 to August 16.  The annual summer series offers live dance, music, and theatrical performances ranging from funky jazz bands to yoga classes, all for free!  There are performances at 12:30 p.m. and at 6 p.m. every Wednesday, with some weeks having  additional performances, so check our website for updates.  The series features something for everyone, so be sure to visit the Park's center lawn Wednesdays during the summer! For a schedule of events, times and more information, please visit www.unionsquarenyc.org or call (212) 460-1208.

NYC BID Managers' Association Welcomes Speaker Christine C. Quinn

The NYC BID Managers' Association held a reception honoring Speaker Christine C. Quinn and the New York City Council at the Bryant Park Grill.  Karen H. Shaw, Executive Director of the Union Square Partnership, was one of the BID Manager's on hand congratulating Quinn on her historic appointment as the first woman to hold the post of  New York City Council Speaker.  Several City Council Members were also in attendance.  The BID leaders look forward to working with the new Speaker and the Council on issues of importance to their communities. 

"Getting the Most Out of Business Technology," the third small business forum in the series "Competing as a Small Business in a Changing Marketplace" was held Tuesday, June 20 at the NYU Palladium Building.   A panel of five business technology experts discussed some of the pressing issues faced by small businesses with a packed audience of local businesspeople and business students.   A lively networking session followed the panel discussion.  The Partnership is planning to produce more forums in the months ahead. Please contact Jonathan Lachance, Director of Economic Development at lachancej@coned.com, if there are particular topics you would like to see covered in the future!

Don't Forget: BID Annual Public Meeting on June 23

The Union Square Partnership would like to remind you to join us at our BID annual public meeting, featuring keynote speaker, Amanda Burden, Chair of the NYC Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning.  The meeting will be held Friday, June 23, 2006, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., at the NYU Palladium Building, 140 East 14th Street (between 3rd and 4th Avenues).  Neighborhood Recognition Awards will be given to William Castro, Manhattan Borough Commissioner of the Parks Department, Inspector Michael J. McEnroy, Commanding Officer of the 13th Precinct, NYPD, and Penelope Wamboldt, Senior Vice President and Regional Administrator, North Fork Bank.  RSVP's are required, so please call (212) 460-1208 or email us at info@unionsquarenyc.org

The Union Square Partnership held its 13th annual Cus D'Amato Luncheon Monday, June 5, 2006.  Each year, the USP presents the Cus D'Amato Community Service Award to an individual and/or organization for their outstanding commitment to Washington Irving High School and the community.  This year's recipient was the New School and Bob Kerrey, its President.  The New School has been a primary supporter of the USP's Education Program at Washington Irving High School for over a decade.  The New School provides college courses to WIHS students free of charge, New School students function as WIHS mentors and many of the USP's after-school program clubs are taught by New School students.  The luncheon was held in The W New York Union Square's main ballroom and featured performances by USP's After-School step team, the Floorbreakers, and the WIHS Visual & Performing Arts House Musical Theatre Class.  This year's luncheon was a great success and we are pleased to announce it raised over $85,000!

That Union Square Partnership's Information Kiosk only opened in late May, and its hardworking staff has already helped provide information about the neighborhood to over 2,800 people? The Kiosk is stocked with helpful information on Union Square restaurants, theatres, shops, and upcoming events. Visit the Kiosk Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to find out what's going on in Union Square!

Neighborhood News

Union Square Wines & Spirits Moves

The all new Union Square Wines & Spirits is now open at 140 Fourth Avenue (at 13th Street), a short distance from its previous location.  Home to New York's only non-stop tasting program and thousands of expertly chosen wines from around the globe, Union Square Wines & Spirits offers its customers a free Savvy Sippers Tasting Card.  The card allows registered users to taste close to 50 wines daily! Stop by today and enjoy a knowledgeable staff as well as some of the world's finest wines.  For more information, call the store at (212) 675-8100 or visit their website: www.unionsquarewines.com

Come see Slava's Snowshow at the Union Square Theatre, 100 East 17th Street. For a limited time, USP News Members can purchase tickets for as little as $45.90, except for Friday and Saturday evenings.  Friday and Saturday evening tickets can be purchased for just $52.90!  Go to Ticketmaster.com and enter the code MDRC1 or call the box office at 212-505-0700 or 212-307-4100 and mention the code MDRC1.  Be sure to pick up tickets today and enjoy a magical theatrical experience with the unbridled hilarity - and the unexpected poignancy - of the art of clowning with stunning spectacle and awe-inspiring visual images and fantasy!

Congratulations to James Kuhn and Amira Yunis of Newmark Knight Frank, who represented NYU's property at 140 East 14th Street in its lease with Trader Joe's, for winning the Real Estate Board of New York's award for the retail deal that most significantly benefits Manhattan.  In case you haven't been by the store located in the NYU's Palladium building, Trader Joe's has been a huge hit with New Yorkers who are flocking to the store's first and only NYCity outpost.

Stop by Union Square South Saturday, July 22 to participate in The Black Factory.  Created by artist William Pope.L, The Black Factory is a performance troupe that tours the country, giving day-long performances dealing with class, diversity and race.  Combining rehearsed skits and improvisation, The Black Factory uses personal items donated by audience members to involve them in conversation, community action, and social transformation.  The Black Factory also has a library of Black Factory history and a store featuring transformed Black Factory objects.  Proceeds from sales of The Black Factory's art will be donated to the Foodbank for New York City.  Gather your friends and enjoy this engaging and interactive performance!

Summerfest

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 enhancements and acting as a liaison between community, business and government leaders.

Visit the Union Square Partnership online at www.unionsquarenyc.org