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Parks & Public Spaces
Application for American Express to hold a US Open Tennis viewing event at Madison Square Park from September 3-September 11
WHEREAS, American Express has applied for a special events permit for September 3-11; and
WHEREAS, The set-up, will begin Friday September 2nd prior to 9:00 a.m.; and
WHEREAS, American Express will have a Jumbotron screen on the Farragut Monument, bleachers on the plaza, a viewing area (exclusive for AMEX cardholders in the drained reflecting pool), food concessions provided by Blue Smoke and Tabla, a speed serve promotional area and a kiosk to solicit Amex customers; and
WHEREAS, The US Open will be broadcast with sound from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day and evening; and
WHEREAS, Beer and wine will be sold; and
WHEREAS, Signage will be significant in size and number; and
WHEREAS, This event is commercial in nature; and
WHEREAS, Sound, security, refuse, park space for private promotion, the length of event and the evening schedule of events are major issues; therefore be it
RESOLVED, The Parks Department needs to involve the community sooner and to a greater extent in potential events in public parks; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Community Board believes using scarce public space for commercial endeavors is unacceptable; and be it further
RESOLVED, Community Board Five strongly recommends the denial of a permit to American Express for taking over a public park for nine days to promote their product in Madison Square Park.
The above resolution passed with a vote of 25 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstentions.