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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sally Burns, Planning Associate of Union Square Partnership on Union Square District Vision Plan
3:05:34
ยท
136 sec
Sally Burns, representing Union Square Partnership, presented the Union Square District Vision Plan (USQNEX) to address outdated infrastructure and improve public spaces in Union Square and Fourteenth Street. The plan aims to transform parkland, plazas, and sidewalks in the area.
- Requested $10 million allocation for initial implementation, including $9 million from NYC Council and $1 million from Manhattan Borough President
- Highlighted the need for improvements to Union Square Park, last redesigned in 1985, and pedestrian-friendly enhancements to Fourteenth Street
- Emphasized the importance of long-term support and financing for the project's implementation and future phases
Sally Burns
3:05:34
Good afternoon Chair Krishnan and committee members.
3:05:36
My name is Sally Burns and I'm the planning associate for Union Square Partnership, the nonprofit business improvement district stewarding Union Square.
3:05:44
Union Square is a key transit hub, a powerful job center, an extraordinary residential community, a center for culture, for recreation, a home for institutions, a burgeoning tech campus, a favored shopping destination.
3:05:58
However, its park is outdated and its infrastructure needs repair.
3:06:02
The Union Square District Vision Plan USQNEX sets out to address these issues by transforming the continuous public realm in Union Square and Fourteenth Street comprising parkland, plazas, and sidewalks.
3:06:15
Union Square Park is a critical open space amenity and neighborhood anchor serving as a green oasis site for free expression and venue for demonstrations, performances, and public events but this intense use has caused the infrastructure beneath it to age and fail.
3:06:32
The park was last redesigned in '18 and 1985 and its date and its dated design fails to for public space.
3:06:43
Also the adjacent Fourteenth Street is home to a critical crosstown busway but it lacks any permanent streetscape improvements needed for a world class pedestrian experience.
3:06:53
As a down payment on the implementation of the entire vision plan Union Square partnership is requesting $10,000,000 to be allocated to the New York City Department of Transportation including 9,000,000 from New York City Council and 1,000,000 to the Manhattan from Manhattan borough president for an initial capital commitment towards construction.
3:07:12
Fourteenth Street is a key gateway to Union Square Park and investments in pedestrian forward accessible streetscapes will further support Union Square Park as a neighborhood amenity improving the experience for all park users.
3:07:27
We are asking the members of the committee to support a new a city council allocation for this project which will signal long term support, help finance its implementation, and sustain future phases.
3:07:38
We'd like to thank Manhattan Community Board five for their letter of support and council members Rivera, Bacher, Powers, Chair Krishnan, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine staff for taking the time to meet about this important project.
3:07:49
Thank you.