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Parks & Public Spaces
Blaze Mobile, Application to Hold a Launch Party in Union Square Park on Friday, September 30th, 2011
WHEREAS, A proposal has been received from Blaze Mobile to hold a Launch Party for the Blaze Mobile Wallet in Union Square Park; and
WHEREAS, The Launch Party would take place on Friday September 30, 2011, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with set-up beginning at 6:00 am and clean-up concluding by 8:00 pm; and
WHEREAS, The event would include Blaze Mobile banner signage at the four corner entrances to the Park and a stage (approximately 16' by 6') and video screen in the South Plaza; and
WHEREAS, Street teams would be placed at strategic locations and subway entrances during rush hours and lunchtime to demonstrate the Blaze Mobile Wallet on iPads or laptops and to solicit on-line sign-ups; and
WHEREAS, The South Plaza stage would feature a host explaining how the product works and invite people to sign up, a $50 Blaze sticker giveaway each hour, a DJ playing music (using amplified sound), and a video screen displaying the Blaze logo and a video of the Blaze Mobile Wallet; and
WHEREAS, Blaze generates revenue from use of the Blaze Mobile Wallet at participating merchants; and
WHEREAS, Blaze Mobile is considering bringing in corporate sponsors for the event which would brand products such as t-shirts and gift bags that would be distributed at the event; and
WHEREAS, Although the technology presented may be of interest to the community, this is essentially a commercial product sampling event that takes up space throughout the entire Park for an entire day; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five discourages such highly commercial use of New York City parks; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application Blaze Mobile to hold a Launch Party in Union Square Park on Friday, September 30, 2011.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.