Opponents Still Hope To Stop Union Square Restaurant

Even though an Appeals Court gave the green light for construction to start, a group opposing the construction of a restaurant in the northern end of Union Square is still praying for a miracle. The Post reports, "Activists visited City Hall on Friday to deliver petitions against the controversial eatery, which is being built in the parks pavilion after a long battle with neighbors."

The controversial eatery has been the subject of a nearly 10 years-long battle; opponents insisted a private restaurant would be a "flagrant misuse" of public parkland, noting there are only two playgrounds in the parks but 150 restaurants, bars and markets in nearby. A judge had agreed, saying the city needed state approval to privatize the park but then a State Supreme Court justice overruled. Plaintiffs then lost two appeals to stop the restaurant.

A member of the Union Square Community Coalition told the Post, "If we keep waiting, theres going to be a restaurant there before we know it... We thought things would be different [under de Blasio]. People are feeling a little betrayed."

At a March 9th rally, a number of elected officials argued why the restaurant shouldn't happen. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said, "It's beyond ironic that the Union Square pavilion where Emma Goldman and Dorothy Day made history practicing their brand of free speech could instead become home to free-range pork. This neighborhood already has an enormous choice of restaurants-- and a shortage of park space. To put a restaurant here, in this designated National Historic Landmark, puts a price tag on the publics enjoyment of what should remain a public space."

Rep. Carolyn Maloney agreed, offering de Blasio a way out by blaming Bloomberg: "For years this community has made it plain that it would be unconscionable to turn a part of Union Square Park, which has historically been a center of activism, recreation and other park uses, into just another high-end restaurant. It blows my mind that the previous administration would consider confiscating precious park space to develop another fancy eatery and watering hole. I strongly urge Mayor de Blasio to cancel the arrangement."

Assembly Member Richard Gottfried voiced a possible solution, "The Mayor has the legal right to cancel this contract for any reason. As the concession agreement provides and the Citys Law Department vigorously argued to the New York State Court of Appeals, the license is freely terminable 'at will' at any time which the City has vigorously argued."

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Opponents Still Hope To Stop Union Square Restaurant