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Consents & Variances
Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, on Madison Ave, between 23rd and 26th Streets, on Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13
WHEREAS, Union Square Hospitality Group has applied for a Special Events Permit for the use of Madison Square Park in order to conduct the Big Apple Barbeque on Saturday June 12 and Sunday June 13, 2010 between the hours of 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM; and
WHEREAS, Union Square Hospitality Group has applied for a Street Activity Permit for the use of:
- Madison Avenue between East 23rd Street and East 26th Street; and
- East 24th Street and East 25th Street, between Madison Avenue & Park Avenue South; and
- East 26th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue on Friday June 11, Saturday June 12, and Sunday June 13, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Set up would begin on Friday June 11, 2010 at 7:00 PM, and dismantling and clean-up would begin on Sunday June 13, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The applicant has agreed to leave the park and surrounding area in pristine condition; and
WHEREAS, This event would be a fund raiser for the Madison Square Park Conservancy with an approximate donation of $100,000.00; and
WHEREAS, This event would be open to the public; and
WHERAS, This event would bring an exciting part of Americana to NYC; and
WHEREAS, Refrigerated trucks would be located on East 24th Street to prevent disturbance to individuals residing in buildings surrounding Madison Square Park; and
WHEREAS, During the set-up and dismantling periods, NYPD would have a presence to make sure this is done in as quiet a manner as possible as not to disturb those living around the park; and
WHEREAS, The applicant would make arrangements with all of the pertinent agencies to ensure that:
- MTA and DOT would provide the public with advance notice that the buses will be rerouted during this event; and
- MTA would provide additional crews to keep the 23rd Street Station clean during the event, as well as staff to help with directions, and dispatchers posted at the bus stops; and
- NYPD would make sure that no one is parked in the bus stops, and would also monitor for double parking; and
WHEREAS, In order to keep the motor vehicle traffic moving while ensuring the safety of pedestrian crossing, NYPD would provide traffic officers to cover the corners of:
- East 23rd Street and Broadway; and
- East 23rd Street and Madison Avenue; and
WHEREAS, As in years past, the Puerto Rican Day Parade, which takes place on Fifth Avenue between 44th and 86th Streets, will also occur on Sunday June 13, 2010, but the NYPD has assured us that they will be able to staff sufficiently these simultaneous events; and
WHEREAS, There would be amplified sound, for which the applicant would obtain the required permits, and would monitor the noise levels and duration, as not to disturb those living around the park; and
WHEREAS, Sanitation has agreed to make extra pickups of the trash throughout the entire Flatiron Business Improvement District and the BID staff would bag all the trash in receptacles for pickup, thus ensuring that the entire surrounding area would be kept as clean as possible; and
WHEREAS, The beer area would be cordoned off and sufficiently patrolled, and the permits from the SLA would be posted; and
WHEREAS, In order to manage the crowds, and the flow of pedestrian traffic, particularly near the 23rd Street and Broadway entrance, Madison Square Park would be secured by a full complement of NYPD officers as well as private security hired for the event; and
WHEREAS, Security measures would be implemented in order to ensure that the playground remains safe and accessible to smaller children; and
WHEREAS, In the efforts to improve this event, Union Square Hospitality Group has maintained and will continue a constructive dialogue with Community Board Five, Madison Square Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, Flatiron Business Improvement District, New York Police Department, Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Transit Authority, NYC Street Activities Permit Office, Department of Sanitation, and the area's residents; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of Union Square Hospitality Group's applications to conduct the Big Apple Barbecue on Saturday June 12 and Sunday June 13, 2010.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 32 in favor; 5 opposed; 1 abstaining.