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Parks & Public Spaces
Application from Special Olympics International for the Unified Relay Across America Community Celebration in Bryant Park on June 3, 2015
At the regularly scheduled monthly Community Board Five meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2015, the following resolution passed with a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining, 1 present but not entitled to vote:
WHEREAS, Special Olympics International ("Applicant") has submitted an application for a one-time event to be held in Bryant Park on Wednesday, June 3, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Set-up for the proposed event would begin no earlier than 2:00 PM the day of the event, the event will start at 4:00 PM on June 3, and dismantling and clean-up would be completed by 7:00 PM on the evening of the event; and
WHEREAS, The intent of the event is to promote Special Olympics International's "Unified Relay Race Across America" event, a sporting and athletic event of the type that Applicant organizes, sponsors, and manages as part of its stated mission as a non-profit to offer "continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community;" and
WHEREAS, The event is free and open to the public; with no sales of products or services as part of the event; and
WHEREAS, The event will highlight the arrival of the so-called "URAA Torch" to be carried in by participating athletes as the critical element of the "Relay Across America" Celebration, which will then be used to light a ceremonial "Cauldron" as a tribute to the efforts of the participants; and
WHEREAS, The event schedule encompasses a short performance of music for approximately 30 minutes prior to the arrival of the Torch, followed by approximately 15 minutes of speeches by relevant participants and dignitaries, with a concluding broadcast of music following the speeches of approximately 15 to 30 minutes; and
WHEREAS, The event would be restricted to the Upper Terrace of Bryant Park, with no elements to be present on the Lawn; components would include a 12' x 20' stage with podium, allowing full clearance behind the stage for pedestrian traffic across the Upper Terrace; limited sound system of short-throw speakers; and a 10' x 10' booth to include signage and corporate sponsorship information, whose impact and size Community Board Five determined to be acceptable; and
WHEREAS, Applicant has agreed to submit suitable schedules of their event logistics, operations, and materials to Bryant Park Corporation for appropriate review and approval; and
WHEREAS, The amplified sound generated by the equipment included as part of this event is of limited impact and meets the standards expected by Bryant Park Corporation and Community Board Five; and
WHEREAS, Applicant has provided a map of the footprint of the proposed event, showing the limited impact on daily activities and use of the Park; and Community Board Five deems the event appropriate in scale and nature and for a good cause; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application from Special Olympics International for the Unified Relay Across America Community Celebration in Bryant Park on June 3, 2015.