Union Square: The Good Ol’ Days

NY1 reports:

New York’s annual block party will return this summer with even more Saturday morning activities for participants.

The Department of Transportation will host the Fifth Annual Summer Streets event on August 4, 11 and 18.

The Summer Streets route runs from the Brooklyn Bridge all the way to 72nd Street along Park Avenue and connecting streets. The seven miles of city streets will be blocked off for activities ranging from yoga to dance classes.

DOT officials also fit thousands of people for free bicycle helmets during Summer Streets as part of its Bike Smart program.

“The streets are for everyone and it’s a great way for New Yorkers to get out and enjoy and see the city in a different way and engage in some really fun, healthy, terrific activities,” said DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.

One of the highlights this year will likely be a 160-foot zip line at Union Square Park.

On Tuesday morning, the zip line was set up by Fantasy World Entertainment in Union Square for passersby to try out.

“For your first time [it’s scary], after that, you’ll come right back in line,” said Greg Korzeniowski of Fantasy World Entertainment.

“It’s a great idea for a bit of a good rush in the morning, great way to wake you up. I don’t have to have a coffee this morning, I’ve done this,” said one zip line user.

“It was fun. When you jump off, I was a little nervous, but then it was like fun,” said another.

Even NY1’s Roger Clark tried out the zip line. As he stood 30 feet about Union Square, the operators assured him that he would be caught by workers at the end of the 160-feet line.

Clark did have a safe landing, and then wanted to use the zip line again. He wasn’t the only one.

“As soon as I finished I was like, can I go again? I didn’t think he would let me, but he did, so it was fun,” said a zip line user.

Here’s one problem we haven’t had in our bulding (yet): a bee swarm. Bee experts had to be called in last week to collect a swarm of bees at 4th Ave. and 14th. St. Weird.

The original location of New York mini-chain Heartland Brewery is slated to close on January 1.  The Post reports that the building at 35 Union Square West has a new owner who is asking for more than the Heartland team can afford to pay.  Owner Jon Bloostein says that when he opened the pub in 1994, the rent was $150,000 a year, but now the new landlord is asking for about $2 million a year.

From the park association: It’s crunch time in Union Square Park as the North End Project reaches 83 percent and enters into the final stretch. New granite curb has been installed along Union Square East, and crews are hard at work paving the east side and 16th Street transverse. Next, they will install the playground’s south perimeter fence once paving is complete. To recap, at this time the landscaping is finished and the park’s new trees, shrubbery and perennials are taking root. Most of the plazas having been reopened to the public and the Greenmarket is fully operational on site in time for their busy fall season. Pavilion restoration continues, though hampered by graffiti removal that has proven challenging, and the new restroom facility on the east side of the project area is nearing completion.

Down the way on University Place is the new iteration of Pop Burger called Pop Pub. Eater.com has all the details. .

They’ve been under construction for ages, but it looks like the condos at 82 University Place, where the beloved Cedar Tavern used to be, are finally ready to be sold. Starting around 1.5 million.