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  • New School Construction Update

    The latest from the New School:

    Next week (January 17-21), Urban Foundations will continue to drill solder piles on 14th Street. The pile driving rig is scheduled to arrive on site, and will begin driving piles on 5th Ave, moving South. Loading out of debris and earth from the site will continue. Hand chopping of the existing foundation wall in the South East corner of 65 Fifth will also be taking place. Installation of the fence along the USC Courtyards will take place, followed by the removal of the existing protection.

    The following week (January 23 – 28), Urban is anticipated to continue driving piles along 5th Avenue, then continuing to 13th Street moving East. Excavation of earth and installation of timber lagging between piles on 14th street is planned to begin. Loading out of debris and earth from the site will continue. Demolition of existing foundation wall in SE corner of 65 Fifth by hand chopping will continue.

  • A Proposal for Significant Enhancements Around the Edges of Union Square

    The Union Square Partnership has proposed a wide-ranging collection of enhancement to remake Union Square Park, expanding its edges into the surrounding streets to make it a much bigger and more attractive pedestrian-oriented area. Click through the links in their letter below to see much more. 

    They write:

    The Union Square Partnership is proud to announce the release of the Union Square-14th Street District Vision Plan: a bold new vision for transforming Union Square-14th Street into New York’s most accessible space.

    The Wall Street Journal ran an exclusive today showcasing the Vision Plan, stating “…the plan’s ultimate goal is for parkgoers to know they have ‘arrived at a place that is special.'” Read the full article here.  

    Building upon USP’s past investments, including the renovation of Union Square Park’s north end, City initiatives like Parks Without Borders, the 14th Street Busway, and the pedestrianization of Broadway, along with the more than one million square feet of new private development underway, our Vision Plan focuses on five key improvements prioritizing accessibility, district-wide connectivity, and substantial increases in public open space.

    Designed in collaboration with Marvel, the Vision Plan is the culmination of a two-year-long engagement process working with community members, local business leaders, urban designers, transportation experts, and City and State agency partners. With over a thousand individuals engaged at twenty separate engagement events, it was the largest outreach effort in the Partnership’s 45-year history.

    We are sure you will have questions and feedback about the Vision Plan and there will be many opportunities to learn more. The first is our official Vision Plan: Launch Event hosted in collaboration with the Urban Design Forum on Tuesday, January 26th at 12:00 PM. Please RSVP here.

    Next, we will be hosting a series of Vision Plan: Community Conversations via Zoom to facilitate more robust discussions and gather feedback. Dates + times will be announced soon but you can express interest in attending a session here.

    To familiarize yourselves with the plan, we have launched a dedicated web page with a robust amount of detailed information about the Union Square-14th Street District Vision Plan. Click on the link below to download and read the full report, our info sheet, and press release, as well as view the annotated renderings. There is also an FAQ, which hopefully will address most of your initial questions. You can explore more via unionsquarenyc.org/vision.

    We look forward to fostering dialogue in the coming months that will guide our investments and set future priorities. It is my hope that as you review the Vision Plan that you will feel the impact of our collaborative community process and continue to share feedback as we move forward to the next stage.

  • Goodbye Garden of Eden, Hello Atherea

    Garden of Eden is gone and missed. In its place will come Atherea, a more organic, health-food focused market and cafe. Does that mean $$$$? Probably. Here’s what they say:

    “At Atherea Natural Market, we are leaders in the niche of premium organic products and your trusted resource for individuals who are dedicated to integrating health and sustainability into their lifestyles. At Atherea Natural Market, we understand that food is foundational to our well-being. Our rigorously curated selection encompasses awide array of local organic and NON-GMO fruits and vegetables, nutrient-dense pantry essentials, organic prepared foods andcatering, along with our third party tested vitamins and supplements. We partner exclusively with local NYS organic farmers who strictly adhere to biodynamic and regenerative farming standards that enhance the health of our ecosystems. This dedication ensures that our customers have access to products that are not only organic and NON-GMO but also responsibly sourced, harvested, and sold within our market.”
    Yep, sounds $$$$