• Canadian Donuts Invade Union Sq.

    ByDon

    A news flash about the Zen Palate site on Union Sqare East, and it’s decidedly downmarket:

    “The Riese Organization just purchased 34 Union Square (between 15th and 16th), formerly home to Zen Palate and plans to install a TGI Friday’s and a bonus Tim Horton’s in the space. Its been vacant in the two years since Zen Palate vacated due to “astronomical and non-negotiable increases” in their rent, a rent that has dropped 40% in the last six months. Choice quote: “…while many chefs in the district purchase food from the popular green market there, T.G.I. Friday’s will not join them, says Mr. Riese. ‘We are not that type of restaurant…'” Indeed.

  • Update on Union Square Construction

    ByDon

    Here’s an update on Union Square reconstruction:

    Work is progressing quickly to repave the 16th Street transverse. Crews are laying a new concrete base to better support the asphalt pavers for this heavily-trafficked portion of the park. Special care is being taken to preserve the root systems of the elm trees that bisect the pathway, and access to the center lawn for the disabled will be part of the final design. Repaving is expected to be completed by Labor Day.
    The center and east play areas are also moving along, with equipment installation nearly complete for both sections. The enormous Big Mountain play feature, fabricated by a silo manufacturer on Long Island, was welded together on site last week. The bulk of the remaining work will encompass retaining wall, decorative fence and bench installation, and final landscaping. In other construction news, Pavilion roof waterproofing, flashing and cornice work continues, as does new plaster work on the interior ceiling. Concrete and paver installation on the east plaza was recently finished, and excavation will soon begin on the east sidewalk south of the 16th Street transverse.

  • Remembering Dan Gallagher

    ByDon
    We’re sad to note the very untimely passing of our neighbor Dan Gallagher (apt. 3D). The co-op will make a donation in his name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, as his family requested. You can leave a personal message here. The following obituary was printed in his hometown New Jersey newspaper.

    Daniel J. Gallagher, on July 31, 2009, of Manhattan, NY, formerly of West Deptford, NJ. Age 42. Loving son of Francis and Lorraine (nee DiAmore) Gallagher. Devoted brother of Jack Gallagher (Melinda). Maternal grandson of Ida Cibinski. Beloved uncle of Bradley and Regan Gallagher. Dear nephew of William Gallagher, James Gallagher, Charles Gallagher, Michael Gallagher, Ann Marie Feeney, Greg Cibinski and the late Patrick Gallagher, Margaret Rankin and Kathleen Greene. Also survived by many cousins. Dan graduated from West Deptford High School, Class of 1985. He was a graduate of the Penn State University School of Engineering and received his MBA from Cornell University. Dan had a very successful career at Honeywell International where he held the position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Specialty Materials Division.