Union Square Groups Claim Restaurant is Luna-cy

Groups of citizens and politicians are gearing up to fight Union Square's planned restaurant on the north end. Protesters claim that the city should increase the amount of play space, instead of putting in Luna Park, which is part of the city's $14 million plan to restore the park. NY1 reports state Senator Thomas Duane as saying, "What is one thing we don't need in this neighborhood? Another incredibly expensive restaurant." Or does the Parks Department sense that the neighborhood will be willing to fork over dough for incredibly expensive cocktails on hot summer nights that can help fund other initiatives? The Parks Department says the restaurant won't be open all year, but officials are still reworking plans. The Villager's article harkens back to the park's protest past: Apparently the north end is where the first Labor Day demonstration took place in 1882.

Luna Park was integral in a first season episode of Sex and the City: Carrie and Mr. Big quarrel about whether or not they were supposed to meet on the south or north side of the restaurant.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 18, 2005 9:08 AM

Comments [rss]

jim got shot

You are an absolute moron comparing Shake Shack to McD.

P.S. Please continue to eat at McD so there's one fewer person ahead of me in line.

jim

So how much of the park should the city rent out to restaurants? If the shake shack is so great how's about a McDonald's?

pugsley

As long as union square is for rent I'm going to donate a sack of grass seed and open up a shack next to the horse sculpture and sell hermit crabs and ice pops. I'll also make a donation to the "conservancy" and send out press releases about what a big hearted philanthropist I am.

Pugsley is silly

"Cronies" controlling the parks. How silly.

Yeah-- that's what I'm sure everyone who enjoys a nice afternoon at Madison Square is thinking. Gee-- wouldn't it be nice if that HORRIBLE burger shack was gone and I could sit in a pile of dog crap with a drunk homeless guy bugging me for change. That would be MUCH nicer than having that little burger shack over there. Oh those HORRIBLE yuppies and their $5 hamburgers. Not only that-- those damn yuppies are running a burger shack that actually MAKES MONEY, and is not a drain on tax dollars. I blame BLOOMBERG'S CRONIES! Maybe we cold have some graffiti "artists" come and put their "art" on the shack as well...

Puh-leese...

pugsley

yeah, the Conservancy is responsible for generating heaps of cash and cheap marketing for themselves. In return the public receives a sack of grass seed. The city can afford to upkeep Madison Square and Union Square without the charity of yuppie restauranteurs, so why isn't the city doing it. Bloomberg should take back the parks from the tight group of cronies controlling them.

Sean

I couldn't agree more.

Enough with this idiots claiming that any commercial presence in a park is selling out to the "yuppies." Madison Square was a dump before Meyer & company got involved...as is the north end of Union Square right now.

pugsley got killed

Obviously these Williamsburg hipsters are too lazy to bike to Madison Square Park to enjoy the best burger in town. In addition, a portion of the Shake Shack proceeds goes to the Madison Square Park Conservancy. The Conservacy raised public and private funding for the renovation for the park. Otherwise the "public park that belong to everyone" would still be the crime-ridden park that everyone avoided. Or are you too young to remember that?!?!

pugsley

Bulldoze the Shack! The public parks belong to everyone, not a tiny elite group of restaurant cronies looking to market themselves.

Brian Van Nieuwenhoven

The Madison Square burger stand should also be bulldozed.

Bite your tongue! What madness are you speaking of? Outrageous! Get behind me Satan!

I would sooner lay in front of said bulldozer than give up my Shack Burgers. You anti-business people are sick. Filthy and sick.

pugsley

I was always opposed to union square being turned into Danny Meyer's yuppie bar. I've always wondered who got bribe money for that. The Madison Square burger stand should also be bulldozed. The only explanation as to how these places get built is just old fashioned corruption.

Brian Van Nieuwenhoven

Isn't there a playground 30 yards away?

I would probably be more attentive and considerate if they actually led with, "This park needs expanded playground facilities." That I might consider as a worthier goal than another restaurant. However, once I start hearing things like, "we are ruining the character and history of the park" in reference to a nondescript parking lot, I just tune out.

Jim

I think they want more space for their kids to play, actually. You know, grass, an shit, for the urban youth. Trees.

Brian Van Nieuwenhoven

I love community groups. An asphalt barren is always preferrable to a nice restaurant, right?

I mean, what do they want to do with the space that's there? I'm not saying a restaurant would be the best public use, but it's obviously being put to poor permanent use right now. (Considering the fact that the Greenmarket is a temporary setup, and that permanent facilities would be preferable.)

Seriously, if people want to live on undeveloped land, move out to Idaho. This is New York, it's to be built out and built up. Get with the program.