$14M finishing touches for Union Square Park.

The city announced its $14 million capital campaign last week for the completion of Union Square Park, which will include the unification and expansion of two existing playgrounds, a year-round restaurant and a decoratively paved plaza for the Greenmarket farmer's market and public events.

Community Board 5 approved the initial design plans for the project on October 14, and renovation of the playground and Pavilion is expected to begin next fall. The funding for this project consists of $8 million in City funds, and an additional $6 million in private funds, including a $5 million donation from a private citizen.

The "Northern Gateway" of the park will preserve and improve the existing space for the popular Greenmarket, special events while minimizing the impact on farmers and neighbors during construction. The plan also incorporates community concerns regarding improved paving, insulation of the north end from traffic and the creation of a visual corridor from Broadway. The renovation project includes the unification and expansion of two existing playgrounds, the restoration of the historic Pavilion building to accommodate a year-round restaurant, the construction of two new structures to include public restrooms, expanded and improved maintenance and storage facilities for Parks & Recreation, and a decoratively paved public plaza which will enhance the Greenmarket and add plantings to better define the park's perimeter.

Total City funding for this project will be $8 million, which includes $1.9 million from Council Member Margarita Lopez. The Union Square Partnership has already raised $5 million in private funds and expects to raise the remaining $1 million needed to ensure completion of the project.

The planning and design process involved Parks & Recreation and the community and was spearheaded and funded by the Union Square Partnership. The conceptual plan was designed by an award-winning landscape architect team Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. The team, lead by the planning firm Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler, Inc with significant input and guidance from Parks & Recreation, consulted with numerous community leaders and neighborhood stakeholders, including Community Board 5, the Greenmarket and playground users, to define the needs and requirements of the northern end of the park.

The Union Square Partnership serves as a catalyst for the economic revitalization of the 14th Street-Union Square community. The Partnership is made up of two entities, the Business Improvement District and the Local Development Corporation, working in tandem to improve and maintain the quality of life for the 14th Street--Union Square neighborhood.