Union Square Not for Sale is reaching out to NY City Council Member Rosie Mendez — whose district includes Union Square Park — to help save the historic Pavilion from being privatized into an exclusive restaurant. They are asking people to bring “Roses for Rosie” — or just yourselves — to Union Square this Wednesday, April 8th from 5:30-6:30 p.m., north end at 16th Street.
As you likely know, nearby Washington Square Park is under the jurisdiction of City Council Member Alan Gerson and Council Speaker Christine Quinn. They, like Council Member Mendez, are two Council Members who didn’t push back when the City’s Parks Department announced its dramatic re-visioning of WSP, thereby allowing Mayor Bloomberg to trample over our precious public space. Yet again. But there’s still time. Gerson took a stand recently against the Parks Department’s plans (better late than never) at the Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing for Washington Sq Park – and he can do more! And Rosie Mendez certainly can as well. It is time for our elected officials to stand up to the Mayor.
Come out on Wednesday to protect Union Square.
SAVE THE PAVILION
Wed, April 8, 2009
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Union Sq. Park (North side)
The details from Union Square Not for Sale:
“The injunction preventing construction on the Union Square Pavilion was lifted by Judge Jane Solomon on March 31, 2009. Construction of Union Square Partnership’s tablecloth restaurant will now proceed as planned. This is very disappointing news but hardly the last word: the judge made it clear that another lawsuit can be brought further on in the process as the bidding for the lease unfolds.
The fight for the historic pavilion is far from over. It is as important as ever to resist the introduction of a private, for-profit enterprise in the pavilion. Once the privatizing begins it will be impossible to reverse. Union Square has the highest concentration of restaurants and the lowest amount of public space in the entire city. There is no need for a restaurant that will remove thousands of square feet of potential play space and threaten one of the city’s most important public assembly areas.
Council Member Rosie Mendez can put an end to this! Join us — let’s ask her to return the Pavilion for recreation and community use! Parks for the people, not for profit.
Let’s get in the park! Bring roses for Rosie and SPREAD THE WORD!”