<< Back
Parks & Public Spaces
Application to hold “NBA Nation Tour,” a special event in Union Square Park on Tuesday, August 5, 2014
At the regularly scheduled monthly Community Board Five meeting on Thursday, July 10, 2014, the following resolution passed with a vote of 39 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining:
WHEREAS, NBA Nation is a touring property operated by the National Basketball Association through its subsidiary, NBA Entertainment; and
WHEREAS, The event is a free event, open to the public, where people can enjoy the park and participate in a number of basketball and fitness related activities including skills contests and fitness clinics that encourage area youth and adults alike to stay active, fit, and healthy; and
WHEREAS, Similar events have been held nationwide over the past 14 years, with events in New York City occurring at the South Street Seaport for several years; and
WHEREAS, The event will consume the entire North Plaza of Union Square Park (the "Park") and contains a full basketball court, a half court, bleachers, several sponsor tents and other attractions; and
WHEREAS, The event will be located in an way to minimize interference with the Union Square Pavilion Restaurant; and
WHEREAS, The event is scheduled to run from noon through 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday August 5, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Installation of the event is extensive, commencing at 5:00 p.m. the day before, with installation noise to be reduced after 10:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, Breakdown of the event is also extensive but the applicant has agreed that break down and load out of the event will be completed no later than 5:00AM on Wednesday, August 6, with noise on August 5 to be reduced after 10:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, The Park is to be left clean and undamaged; and
WHEREAS, The event contains amplified sound for no less than a cumulative four (4) hours, using short throw speakers and sound engineering designed to minimize disturbance to the surrounding businesses, residents, and other users of the park; and
WHEREAS, The event contains significant commercial signage but the applicant has agreed to reduce the commercial appearance as much as possible, for example, by reducing the number of commercial logos on the "Ultimate Shot" display, and other means throughout; and
WHEREAS, In addition to providing free sponsored soft drinks, the applicant has agreed to provide free bottled water; and
WHEREAS, As is customary for similar large-scale, commercial events, the applicant has agreed to make a donation to the Union Square Partnership; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has agreed to coordinate with the Union Square Partnership regarding setup and sound levels, in advance and on the day of the event; and
WHEREAS, No members of the public testified in opposition to this event; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by NBA Nation for a special event on August 5, 2014 in the North Plaza of Union Square Park.