Burritos in the Hood

The Union Square Business Improvement District is considering expanding its boundaries. If you have an opinion about that, take this survey.

Scout Willis, the underage daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, was busted for drinking a beer while walking around Union Square last week. Having a fake ID and a bad attitude certainly didn’t help matters.

No foul play is suspected in the death of the woman who fell down her Union Square building’s trash chute in July, the city’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said on December 19. The body of Lara Prychodko, 48, was discovered by a building maintenance worker inside the trash compactor at Zeckendorf Towers on the corner of Irving Place and E. 15th Street on July 10, police said. Authorities believe the woman dropped 27-stories in the chute. Her body was discovered “crushed from multiple angles” in the compactor. It was not immediately clear if Prychodko’s death was accidental or a homicide, authorities said at the time.

This 1911 photo looks east across 5th Avenue to the current site of the New School, with an additional glimpse down 13th St. You can clearly see the “press” building that is now the apartments across from our front door.

The annual shareholder’s meeting will take place on Wednesday June 30th at 7PM at the Seafarers’ and Interational House at 123 East 15th St, second floor.

At the meeting, the Board of Directors will be seeking at least one new member. If you wish to become a candidate for the Board and have your name placed on the ballot, please feel free to provide a short biography of yourself via fax (212) 986-0002 or e-mail to ymartinez@akam.com. The Board will also welcome nominations at the meeting itself.

See it all here. 

Union Square-14th Street has demonstrated incredible resilience during the unprecedented past year. There are strong signs the district will not only continue its
upward trajectory but also thrive as one of the City’s best neighborhoods to live, work, and invest in. In this report, outline the neighborhood’s key advantages and highlight the positive indicators of continued economic growth and success.

Among Union Square’s many advantages is its function as a true “15-minute neighborhood,” with its wealth of local amenities and resources accessible within walking distance or a short bike ride. The availability of public space, in particular, has emerged as an even greater asset this year as Union Square Park and nearby streets and plazas have been key for safe recreation, social activity, and commerce.

New developments across Union Square-14th Street are picking up momentum, introducing a range of transformative projects to the district’s skyline and public realm. Among the exciting projects underway, which include a civic center, two modern residential towers, and a boutique hotel, several projects have recently reached key milestones:
∫ Completion of the landmark restoration of Tammany Hall has introduced a new architectural icon at 44 Union
Square, including office and retail opportunities.
∫ Zero Irving’s Tech Training Center is on track to complete in Spring 2021. The project aims to bring 550 permanent jobs to the area.
∫ The City implemented a dedicated busway, improving access along 14th Street with the rollout of M14 Select Bus Service. In the months following its installation, ridership on the route increased 14% and travel times decreased 24%.
∫ USP unveiled the Union Square-14th Street District Vision Plan, an ambitious proposal that envisions a 33% increase in public space, and significant improvements to district accessibility and the overall pedestrian environment.

Investment in Union Square’s future remains strong, with over $850 million committed to projects across the commercial, residential, and health sectors, totaling over 1 million square feet of new development. Since January 2020, there have been over $500 million in residential sales around Union Square and there are more than 200 residential units in development. We look forward to welcoming our new neighbors to the district soon.

Since January 2020, 33 businesses have opened or plan to open in Union Square, including a mix of eateries, retailers, beauty, and professional services. These include 25 brand new to the district, five that relocated to a new or renovated space within the district, and three that have announced plans to open soon. Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome these new additions, including Rookie and the Urbanspace Food Hallin 2021, and Target in 2023.

With nearly 73,000 residents and 142,000 employees within a 1/2 radius, Union Square remains one of NYC’s most desirable places to live and work.
∫ Its 2:1 employee to residential population makes Union Square a true mixed-use neighborhood, supported by a diverse array of commercial businesses, retail,
and restaurants.
∫ 38.5% of Union Square’s residences are owner-occupied, a number far above Manhattan’s 24%

RESIDENTIAL OVERVIEW
Union Square Manhattan NYC
Total Population 72,928
Housing Units 42,603
Median Asking Rent $4,304
Median Home Value $1,336,014
% Owner Occupied 38.5%
Median Household Income $142,526
Median Age 35
Average Household Size 1.6