To get a sense of the pulse of the neighborhood, check out the USP’s ANNUAL REPORT. It’s full of interesting plans and action items, such as:

Public Space Activations: This summer, USP is rolling
out new seating areas, enhanced landscaping, the
second annual mural along the 14th Street Busway,
and hosting an Oonee Pod Mini, a prototype for safe
bike storage.

Park Upgrades: In partnership with NYC Parks, USP
will develop a Union Square Park infrastructure
plan that includes upgraded utilities, irrigation, and
bathrooms amenities, as well as a preservation plan
of the entire district’s tree canopy.

Since January 2021, 46 new businesses have opened in and around Union Square.

This remarkable photo looks west on 14th St. from Union Square in 1898. Isn’t it amazing how many buildings, including our own, still stand? The Lincoln statue is now inside the park.

Sounds like the long-vacant restaurant space on the west side of University between 11th and 12th (next to Grey Dog) will soon become a 66-seat Thai restaurant.

Looks like Popeye’s Fried Chicken may take over the former Foot Locker site on East 14th St. just west of Union Square. Another new aroma for the neighborhood.

Middle Eastern food, cooked on site, coming soon to 83 University Place. Visit eatnaya.com.

This is the west side of Union Square in 1899. Note the Tiffany & Co. building that is now the luxury condos clad in black.

Now at 51 University Place:

“The Hemp Philosophy was founded in New York City by Jack Scaba. Like many of our customers, his team came across hemp while looking for alternative solutions to ailments. What they found was a need for quality hemp that was more accessible. Thus, The Hemp Philosophy was born. Since then, this philosophy has defined the new standard for premium quality hemp products.”

Allbirds, the shoes that Silicon Valley loves, signed an 8,000-square-foot lease deal with The Bromley Companies at 120-122 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District. The clothing and shoe company will be moving into the two-floor space at the Bromley building after The Gap moved out in the summer of 2021 after nearly 30 years. The retail space on West 17th Street and Fifth Avenue will serve as Allbirds’ U.S. flagship store. The sudden vacancy left by The Gap marked the first time in four decades that the retail location had been empty, having been home to the first Barnes & Noble superstore in the nation prior to the clothing store coming to the Flatiron.

PLNT Burger has opened at 149 4th Ave. It’s the second veggie burger joint to open in the neighborhood in six months.

This image looks southeast from the park toward the intersection of 14th St. and 4th Ave. in 1922, almost exactly 100 years ago. Note that at the time, the statue of George Washington stood at that corner.