May 7, 2008
Union Square Pavilion Restaurant a No-Go, Judge Rules
A State Supreme Court judge has issued a “preliminary injunction” prohibiting the city from turning the 78-year-old Pavilion in Union Square park into a restaurant. Last week the court ruled that the $21 million overhaul to the north end of the park could proceed while a lawsuit brought by community groups moves forward, but temporary stalled work on the Pavilion.
Opponents object to what they see as the privatization of park space and insist the city needs approval from the state legislature before moving forward. The new ruling lets the city renovate the Pavilion and rehabilitate the bathrooms, but halts plans to lease it out for a restaurant. Parks advocate Geoffrey Croft was pleased today’s ruling:
The Court indicated that the Union Square Community Coalition is likely to ultimately prevail on its primary claim in the lawsuit – that restaurant use of the Pavilion would require approval of the New York State Legislature.Croft tells us the city still plans to make 1,860 square feet of the Pavilion amenable for a restaurant kitchen while the lawsuit proceeds, but he says that could turn out just fine for the community, “because when the case is decided in our favor we can use that renovated space for public recreation.”
Photo of Union Square Pavilion courtesy Wallyg.
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I know, let's just leave it for the skate punks to go rutting!
there's no need for a restaurant in this spot.
a spot which has 1000(maybe) restaurants within a ten minute walk.
there's no need for a restaurant in this spot.
a spot which has 1000(maybe) restaurants within a ten minute walk.
Not 10 minute walk, but shotgun range.
Time for NYU to strike...
Tavern on the Green, the Boathouse, the 79th Street Boat Basin, Shake Shack....
Geoffery Croft is a true idiot. Causing the City to waste time and resources defending itself against a lawsuit that will ultimately lose.
Time for a cup of celebratory sinister tea. Danny Meyer's is one of the poster children for NYC's current GoNYC campaign pull out this week's TimeOutNY. He lists the Second Avenue Deli as one of his favorite restaurants which has been closed for two years and is now a Chase Bank. Sinisterteashop wishes Danny Meyer's a similar sea change into something rich and strange for his restaurants.
Actually, the Second Avenue Deli recently reopened in a new spot on Lexington Ave. around 31st St., I believe.
Thank God. For once the courts are seeing this out-of-control mayor for who he is. No more selling off city park land for a profit. Those parks were paid out of our tax dollars for our use, no so that they can be given over to developers for their private use.
I think that people have to remember that it is VERY expensive keeping a park running. Having a concession in the park would help create consistent funding for the park. The businesses surrounding and the individuals that live around the park are not required to donate to the Union Square Partnership and the city cannot afford to keep all of the parks in pristine condition. So if you love Union Square Park, or any park in NYC, I would suggest that you donate now to the park nearest you and allow those non-profits to manage them (and fundraise for them). Believe me, they do have the parks best interest in mind!