The Historic Buildings that Surround Us
This excellent article reviews many of the historic buildings that help define our neighborhood. Of course, many are endangered.
This excellent article reviews many of the historic buildings that help define our neighborhood. Of course, many are endangered.
How do you feel about Union Square. The Union Square Partnership does an annual opinion survey to find out. Some thoughts from the results:
FOSTERING A THRIVING ECONOMY IN USQ
USP asked respondents to share the types of businesses
they would like to see in Union Square. Half of respondents
would like to see more cultural institutions (50%),
followed by art galleries/exhibitions (48%), and cafés/
coffee shops (47%). Many respondents mentioned wanting
to see more local businesses — including small, curated
stores, non-chain coffee shops and eateries, and specialty
grocery stores. This feedback highlights a strong community
interest in maintaining a vibrant retail environment in
Union Square rooted in unique, local offerings.
ENHANCING LIVABILITY IN USQ
USP is committed to keeping Union Square clean, safe, and
beautiful. The majority of respondents are satisfied (very
satisfied and somewhat satisfied) across key metrics of
USP’s work enhancing livability. Respondents reported the
highest levels of satisfaction with the landscaping of Union
Square Park (87%), planter landscaping (87%), Broadway Plaza
maintenance (85%), and public seating areas (77%). While
most respondents remain pleased with the district’s upkeep,
some expressed a desire for extended hours and seasonality
for the public seating areas as well as improved lighting,
especially in Union Square Park and surrounding streets.
Following USP’s 2023 launch of the Public Safety Officer
(PSO) program, perceptions of public safety improved by
15 points in the 2024 survey. The 2025 survey results show
that this perception has largely stabilized, with 87% of
respondents noting that their perception of public safety
in USP’s Core Services Area (CSA) has improved or seen
no change over the past year. Moreover, the percent of
respondents reporting concerns around public safety within
the CSA decreased by 15% in 2025 compared to 2024.
Click here to see many images of the new north end of the park.
The City Streets store on the street level of our building is set to close up shop. What will come next?
NYU has decided not to build a fourth soaring tower adjacent to the three Silver Towers that already loom over Bleecker and Houston Streets. Instead, they’ll build a squatter and bulkier version on the location of the current Morton Williams supermarket. Why the change? Because the community–and IM Pei–didn’t like it.
Next week (August 22 to August 26), contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, and load out material. Installation of bracing rakers, line drilling, lagging and sheeting around the perimeter will progress as well. Concrete foundation walls will continue along the perimeter of the site. Interior core foundation work will continue along the perimeter of the site. Interior core foundation work will proceed. The following week (August 29 to September 3 ), we will continue with concrete foundation walls, line drilling, rock excavation, loading out, and interior core foundation work & underground plumbing. DEP will continue to work on the water main along 13th Street.
Next week (October 22 to October 26), Material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors. Curtain wall installation on upper floors will continue. Curtain wall installation on the lower floors will proceed along 14th st. inside the construction site. The crane that is on site will remain for the duration of curtain wall installation and will not affect pedestrian or automotive traffic.
The following week (October 29 to November 2) Material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors. Curtain wall installation will continue on all floors. Curtain wall installation on the lower floors will proceed along 14th st. inside the construction site.
This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, October 20th for superstructure related activities and curtain wall installation between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City. Con Ed will be working in the street.