Month: December 2025

  • Union Square Partnership Gathers Resident Opinions

    ByDon

    How do you feel about Union Square. The Union Square Partnership does an annual opinion survey to find out. Some thoughts from the results:

    FOSTERING A THRIVING ECONOMY IN USQ
    USP asked respondents to share the types of businesses
    they would like to see in Union Square. Half of respondents
    would like to see more cultural institutions (50%),
    followed by art galleries/exhibitions (48%), and cafés/
    coffee shops (47%). Many respondents mentioned wanting
    to see more local businesses — including small, curated
    stores, non-chain coffee shops and eateries, and specialty
    grocery stores. This feedback highlights a strong community
    interest in maintaining a vibrant retail environment in
    Union Square rooted in unique, local offerings.

    ENHANCING LIVABILITY IN USQ
    USP is committed to keeping Union Square clean, safe, and
    beautiful. The majority of respondents are satisfied (very
    satisfied and somewhat satisfied) across key metrics of
    USP’s work enhancing livability. Respondents reported the
    highest levels of satisfaction with the landscaping of Union
    Square Park (87%), planter landscaping (87%), Broadway Plaza
    maintenance (85%), and public seating areas (77%). While
    most respondents remain pleased with the district’s upkeep,
    some expressed a desire for extended hours and seasonality
    for the public seating areas as well as improved lighting,
    especially in Union Square Park and surrounding streets.
    Following USP’s 2023 launch of the Public Safety Officer
    (PSO) program, perceptions of public safety improved by
    15 points in the 2024 survey. The 2025 survey results show
    that this perception has largely stabilized, with 87% of
    respondents noting that their perception of public safety
    in USP’s Core Services Area (CSA) has improved or seen
    no change over the past year. Moreover, the percent of
    respondents reporting concerns around public safety within
    the CSA decreased by 15% in 2025 compared to 2024.