Union Square Holiday Market Cancelled

Sweetgreen, the expensive high-end organic salad bar place, will arrive in the vacant space on University Place between 12th and 13th St. Kale for everyone.

No sooner did the Giant Bagel Shop and its associated pizza shop close than the pizza shop got retiled and reopened as Little Italy Pizza. That was quick.

The Union Square Partnership has released its latest annual survey of people’s opinions about our neighborhood’s livability in terms of cleanliness, safety, landscaping, lighting, and quality of life. It makes for an interesting read. One highlight:

“USP is committed to enhancing livability in the Union Square 14th Street district through its Clean + Safe program. According to the 2024 survey results, satisfaction for district conditions improved or remained consistent compared to 2023 results, with satisfaction for public safety increasing by 15%. This notable increase follows USP’s deployment of Public Safety Officers (PSOs) in June 2023, and survey respondents noted that their patrols have had a positive impact in Union Square Park and the playground. Despite this improvement, respondents dissatisfied with the conditions expressed ongoing safety, sanitation, and quality of life concerns around the district, including the lack of City enforcement and City services for those in need. USP is dedicated to continuing investment in the PSO program and increasing coordination with City agencies and law enforcement in response to the community’s quality of life concerns.”

Next week (August 8 to August 12), 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 proceed. The following week (August 15 to August 19 ), 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. The site will be open on Saturday, August 6th. Work hours are between 9AM and 5PM as permitted by the City. To control noise levels, work activities will be limited to the placement of formwork and rebar for concrete placement, wood lagging, and installation of walers and braces. There will be no rock excavation, rock chopping, or hauling on Saturday.

The rumor is quashed. Walmart may be looking at 6th Ave. but has no interest in Union Square according to the Daily News.

A bit surprising to see Goodwill pop up here at a time when everything is skewing high-end, but here it is, in the former location of the much-missed Metro Drugs.