Barnes & Noble: Safe…For Now

Here’s the news: “The New York City Water Board voted on Friday morning to approve a 14.5 percent increase for water and sewer rates, the largest increase since 1992. When the new rate is in place on July 1, according to the city’s Independent Budget Office, water rates will have risen a cumulative 77 percent since 2001, and double-digit increases are expected to keep coming for at least a few more years.”

This is one of those uncontrollable costs that bedevil the co-op’s budget every year. The only thing we can do about it: use less water. We’ve already taken steps to examine our infrastructure and make sure we have discovered any sources of waste and leaks. Other than that, it’s all about less consumption.

Note that September 24 is the date this year for the annual Harvest in the Square celebration. Tickets are $115. Go here for details.

Next week (May 14 to May 18), Superstructure work will continue at the 18th floor level. The superstructure concrete work will be completed on the building buy the end of the month. Deliveries for the internal systems of the building have been ongoing and will continue, although they should not greatly affect the flow of pedestrian and road traffic.

The following week (May 21 to May 25), we will be working on the machine room levels on the 18th floor. Deliveries for the internal systems of the building have been ongoing and will continue, although they should not greatly affect the flow of pedestrian and road traffic.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, May 12th for superstructure related activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City. To control noise levels within the site, work activities will be limited to the placement of formwork and concrete, plumbing and electrical work, rebar for concrete placement, using the crane and equipment to support all activities. Safety horns are used, and required by law, to coordinate lifting with the crane and to alert the workers of the danger overhead. We have directed the operators to limit the use of horns to one short sounding and to use the crane later in the day so as to avoid any excess noise. There will be steel work being done on the 5th Ave. side of the building. As a result there will be another crane on site to lift the pieces into place but it will sit in the site and will not affect pedestrian or motor traffic in the area.

Additionally, Con Ed will be doing street connections on 14th street.

The New York Post offers this brief history of Union Square. It’s interesting to note that before the subway was built, the park was at street level. When the subway came through, the whole park was torn up and elevated several feet, which why you enter it via stairs today.

The most iconic holiday market in New York, the Union Square Holiday Market, returns on Thursday, November 18th. Over 150 vendors will showcase a dynamic mix of global cuisines, original art, handcrafted accessories, and more through Friday, December 24th. Come experience one of the City’s most beloved traditions!

Next week (May 20 to May 24), material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors inside the building. We will be working on the new sidewalks around the building and installing new curbs and will be removing the sidewalk shed along 13th st. Additionally we will be working on the roofs of the building.

The following week (May 27 to May 31), material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors as well as sidewalk work.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, May 18th for interior, roof, and sidewalk activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City.