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Parks & Public Spaces
Eventage Product - Degree Deodorant - promotional sampling event and press announcement in Duffy Square, April 21st
WHEREAS, Community Board Five takes its role in the review of applications for Parks Special Events seriously and requests an opportunity to review the application before a permit is granted by the Parks Department Special Permit Office; and
WHEREAS, Eventage has submitted an application seeking permission for a special event to be conducted in Duffy Square, south of the TKTS bleachers on Tuesday April 21, 2009 between the hours of 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, requiring set-up to begin at 5:00 AM, and dismantling and clean-up to be completed by 4:00 PM; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has stated that the purpose of this proposed event is to conduct a promotional sampling event and press announcement relative to a new product being introduced by Degree Deodorant; and
WHEREAS, set-up for the event would include two (2) tents, one measuring 10’-0” X 10’-0”, the other measuring 10’-0” X 20’-0”; a stage platform measuring 8’-0” X 8’-0”; a press riser measuring 8’-0” X 4’-0”, as well as some small tables, speakers, and a generator; and
WHEREAS, the tents and all other structures are covered with promotional branding; and
WHEREAS, as a result of a CB5 Parks Forum in 2007, guidelines were developed addressing an number of concerns regarding the extent of impact on and commercialization of our parks by special events; and
WHEREAS, the Parks Forum Guidelines are “flexible enough to be adapted to every park and every event;” and
WHEREAS, Duffy Square is a park within CB5 and provides a respite for workers, shoppers and the public within the everyday “busyness” of Times Square; and
WHEREAS, this event:
WHEREAS, this event features corporate sponsors, logos and products that constitute 100% commercial use of Duffy Square; and
WHEREAS, even though the sponsors have offered a financial contribution of $52,000 to the Parks Department’s General Fund, CB5 has repeatedly denied access to its parks for events that are strictly or predominantly commercial; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that Community Board Five recommends disapproval of the application by Eventage to conduct Degree Deodorant’s promotional sampling event and press announcement in Duffy Square on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 24 in favor; 12 opposed; 4 abstaining.