January 9, 2008
Union Square To Host Shake Shack South?
No one knows for sure what’s to become of the future Union Square pavilion, but a strong contender for the space – formerly occupied by the shabby Luna Park – is a new restaurant helmed by Danny Meyer, who opened the Union Square Café in ’85 and whose Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is an object of obsession.
Construction begins on a new pavilion this winter, but some insiders are betting Meyer wins the rights to the space; besides his Shake Shack success he just so happens to co-chair the Union Square economic development corporation and has been heavily involved in the rehabilitation of the park’s north end. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe tells the Observer there’s no conflict of interest issue to prevent Meyer from bidding and says the license will go to someone with a “track record”, which Meyer’s got in spades.
A growing number of critics are strongly opposed to the restaurant idea; they feel that especially considering the political significance of Union Square park, every square foot should be free and available to the public. Even State Assemblywoman Deborah Glick is making noise: “In neighborhoods like Union Square which are starved for green space but already overwhelmed by dining choices, it is terrible public policy to continue to transform municipal parkland into a commercial engine.”
Benepe seems immune to community outcry against the restaurant and argues that the eatery is “crucial” to the park’s continued vibrancy. “Why wouldn’t you want to bring hundreds of people into the park during the off hours to make it safe and vibrant?” he wonders. Of course, hundreds of people were in the park when a brawl left four shot, one stabbed; another melee broke out in broad daylight when nearby Washington Irving High School let out. Maybe whatever eatery opens there can distribute free samples containing a mild sedative?
Photo of Union Square pavilion by Wallyg.
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to clarify:
It was 4 SHOT and 1 STABBED. No one died in that unfortunate incident on Halloween night.
Commissioner Benepe wonders “Why wouldn’t you want to bring hundreds of people into the park during the off hours to make it safe and vibrant?”
Traditionally city folk retreated to parks for some peace and quiet and some open space, greenery and fresh air.
The "off hours" in this area are around 5 in the morning. Do they really think the restaurant will be serving then?
Union Square as a locus for political activity is an anachronistic concept in 2008- it has been supplanted by the internet and other new media (like this blog, for instance). Wake up and smell the century.
Any restaurant in that park should have rat on the menu.
Hasn't a restaurant always been located at the north side of Union Square? So what's the difference if there are two restaurants?
If by 'political activity' you mean hawking trinkets, then g-d forbid, we wouldn't want to put the brakes on that?
Traditionally city folk retreated to parks for some peace and quiet and some open space, greenery and fresh air.
Traditionally, people all over the world dine outdoors in open public spaces rather than jammed on the sidewalk or simply next to an open window on nice days. Besides, it isn't like Union Square is Central Park. Once you factor in the paved area for the green market, the playground and the dog walk there is hardly any open space.
There are a lot of people who might not even know where Union Square IS if Danny Meyer had not taken a big chance and opened Union Square Cafe way before anyone thought the area was "cool" or "hip". Restaurants, bars and boutiques followed, after he has taken the risk and showed others that there was good money to be made in the area.
If there is anyone who really deserves a shot at a restaurant in the Park, I'd say that Danny Meyer has earned that.
C'mon, that is rubbish. Everyone has always known where Union Square is, since Aaron Burr was riding his horse around. Union Square used to be sketchy, but even then it was always the place to meet up. It was always popular. Andy Warhol's factory anyone?
The Union Square Coffee Shop ("Coffee Bar") on the corner of University and 15th made that area a hip destination long before Danny Meyer arrived.
Traditionally, people all over the world dine outdoors in open public spaces rather than jammed on the sidewalk or simply next to an open window on nice days.
Yes, it was called a picnic - no restaurant required.
Yes, it was called a picnic - no restaurant required.
I guess you have never left New York.
What about a Starbucks?
*joke*
Coffee Shop sucks.
Union Square is just perfect for a nice big walmart. Park Schmark... walmart walmart
Parks should be a respite from the commerce surrounding them. And if a park cannot survive without a restaurant for funding, then that is a sad endictment of the public's commitment to public space, and a sign that we need more publc funding. Public space shouldn't have private concerns on them. It's truly disgusting the way Benepe has continued to take parks away from the public through partial privatization via restaurants and public-private conservancies.
Also, Union Square is STILL the primary area where the vast majority of public protests are held in NYC. And anyone who thinks that the internet and pathetic blogs have more of an affect on politics than feet on the ground, bodies in the streets has their head up their lazy, atrophied ass. If anything, blogs are making activism worse by lulling people into the misconception that they are doing something by making a posting. They are not.