Partnership News 

Summer in the Square 2006

It's getting warmer outside, which can only mean one thing....it's time for the Partnership's free summer weekly performance series, Summer in the Square 2006!  Union Square Park will be alive with the sound of music...and storytelling and tapping, stomping and flying feet starting June 28th!  Every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. between June 28 and August 16, Summer in the Square will draw hundreds of people to Union Square Park for live dance, music and theatrical performances.  With funky jazz bands, classical ballet, innovative theater and more, Summer in the Square has something for everyone!  This year's outstanding performers include the Joffrey Ballet School, Niall O'Leary Irish Dance Troupe, Performance Space 122, the Greenwich Village Orchestra and hip-hop dance sensation KR3T'S.  Best of all, every performance is FREE!

For more information and a complete schedule of events visit our website.

Don't forget to attend the Small Business Forum hosted by the Union Square Partnership, in conjunction with the Manhatten Chamber of Commerce and Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce.  The third installment in the series to assist our local small business community will be "Getting the Most Out of Business Technology" featuring a panel of business technology experts.  The Forum will take place on Tuesday, June 20, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the NYU Palladium building located at 140 East 14th Street (between 3rd and 4th Avenues).  Industry experts will discuss electonic and technology resources and services that can help area businesses bolster their business. 

For more information, call 212.460.1200, or to register, visit www.manhattancc.org.

Happy 30th Anniversary Union Square Partnership Local Development Corporation!

The Partnership LDC celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2006!  On May 2nd, the Partnership hosted its Annual Reception to honor the anniversary and recognize the recently retired USP Chair Eugene R. McGrath.  In the 30 years, the LDC has played a leading role in revitalizing Union Square's business climate, creating the State's first Business Improvement District, and making the District a better place to live, work and play.  Charles Luce, former Con Ed Chairman and founding Chaiman of the Partnership during our early years, was also recognized for his service to the USP and to the Union Square community.

The Union Square Partnership offers free tours of the area throughout the year to all those who are interested.  The tours are held every Saturday at 2:00pm.  The ninety-minute tour, led by local historian Karl Michael Emyrs, explores Union Square's entertainment history, regales partakers with stories of social movements and events in the area, and sheds light on Union Square's continued neighborhood development.  Meet at the Lincoln statue located at the 16th Street transverse in Union Square Park any Saturday and learn more about this beautiful and culture-rich area.  Reservations are not required!

Please join us in celebrating the Union Square neighborhood at the BID Annual Public Meeting, which will take place on June 23 at 8:00 a.m. at the NYU Palladium Building, 140 East 14th Street (between 3rd and 4th Avenues).  Come hear keynote speaker, Amanda Burden, Chair of the NYC Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning.  Neighborhood Recognition Awards will be presented to William Castro, Manhattan Borough Commissioner Parks Department, Inspector Michael J. McEnroy, Commanding Officer of the 13th Precinct, and Penelope Wamboldt, Senior VP and Regional Administrator for North Fork Bank.  RSVP's are required, so please call (212)460-1208 or email us at info@unionsquarenyc.org

The Union Square Partnership's Information Kiosk is out for another great summer!  Located on the west side of the Park, near the 16th Street transverse, the Kiosk will be distributing information and informing the public of the area's great stores, destinations, and restaurants Wednesdays through Saturdays from now until September 2.  Stop by for timely neighborhood information, maps, and maybe a shopping tip or two!

A Special Thanks

The Union Square Partnership would like to thank Whole Foods Market and its customers who so kindly donated $5,000 to help support the Partnership's efforts to keep the Park and its surroundings clean.  For the entire month of April, Whole Foods sponsored a fundraising event to buy new garbage cans for the Park by encouraging customers to purchase $2, $5, or $10 coupons while at the register.  The funds raised totaled $2,500, which was then matched by Whole Foods.  Thank You to Whole Foods and all those who contributed for helping keep our Park clean!

Did you know...

That the only man-made item that can be seen from the moon is the pile of trash bags collected by the Partnership in Union Square each year?  Well, maybe that's an exaggeration, but the Partnership sure does collect a whole lot of trash - 2,925,000 pounds per year to be exact! 

Did you also notice that the Partnership's Sanitation Team recently finished power washing the entire wall and spot-painting the interior fence around Union Square Park?  Well, now you do!

Neighorhood News

Beautiful New Tables in the Park

We would like to thank the Union Square Community Coalition ("USCC") for donating five new Carousel tables to Union Square Park.  The five tables are made of stainless steel, giving off a deep grey hue.  USCC Board of Directors Co-Chair, Gail Fox says of the tables, "They are so subtle, they blend right in.  They are very special, you really need to go out and look for yourself."   Each table has 42 inch table tops and four backless seats, some of which are ADA compliant.  The tables were picked out by Susan Kramer, USCC Co-Chair, and received approval from the Parks Department.  The tables are now scattered throughout Union Square Park's South Plaza, an area that was renovated a couple of years ago to be a beautiful pedestrian walk-through.  Next time you are in the South Plaza, make sure to make use of these stunning tables!

Manhattan CB#5 is hosting "Counterfeit Goods:  The Fake Take on the Local Economy," on June 15, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fashion Institute of Technology, 227 West 27th Street, Building A, 8th Floor.  This forum will explore the economic impact of counterfeit goods in CB#5 and citywide.  The keynote speaker will be New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, with additional speakers including elected officials, representatives from the Department of Consumer Affairs, the District Attorney's office, Midtown Community Court, Midtown Enforcement, Business Improvement Districts, as well as representatives from the hotel and tourism industry as panelists to discuss how the proliferation of counterfeit goods has impacted their line of work.  Come out and learn about the status of your local economy!  For more information, please contact Gary Parker at 212.465.0907, or gary@cb5.org.

Chickpea, a Middle Eastern restaurant, officially opened the doors of its beautifully designed, modern second location at 210 14th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues on Monday, May 22nd.  Erez Itzhaki, the owner of Chickpea, created the restaurant out of his own desire to taste the food of his youth in Israel and provide a healthy alternative to fast food.  Chickpea's menu consists of preservative free, made to order goodies including fresh pita bread, falafel platter, and grilled chicken kebab sandwich/platter.  Chickpea both delivers and caters.  For more information about Chickpea, please visit www.getchickpea.com.

The Altheus Cycling and Endurance Center opened its doors on Thursday, May 18th.  Altheus has a world-class multi-sport professional staff that is happy to help all of their clients have fun, successful, and safe multi-sport experiences.  So be sure to stop by 113 Fourth Avenue (located at 12th Street) and check out Altheus' cycling works of art and exclusive apparel lines.  For more information on the store call: (212) 260-2156 or visit their website at www.altheus.net.

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