Download brochure & self guided tour of area historic landmarked buildings



"...the Union Square Community Coalition, a 23-year-old group whose passionate advocacy has helped change the nabe for the better."
— New York Times, Sept. 7, 2003


What the Union Square Community Coalition Does

     
The Union Square Community Coalition (USCC) was established in 1980 to reverse the dramatic deterioration of Union Square Park due to years of municipal neglect and to help return it to its historically significant role as one of the great open spaces in New York City. USCC was among the first community groups in NYC created to protect a city park. For almost thirty years, it has been fighting to protect park use for children and the community around Union Square.

In addition to park issues, we monitor development and zoning laws that impact the area. We work to maintain an environment low in density to preserve the light, air and green space that characterize the park's unique neighborhood. We help preserve the architecturally and historically significant buildings on and in the vicinity of the Square, which give the area its character and identity. We support the concept of historic districts in the environs of the Square.

USCC informs interested residents and businesses on issues in support of community improvement. We respond to the community's needs by working with elected officials, neighborhood groups, organizations and local Community Boards.

As the neighborhood has changed from commercial to residential we help to ensure the park reflects the needs of the community for people of all ages. Years of advocacy to increase playground space and oppose the Union Square Partnership's privatization of the park’s historic pavilion has resulted in a plan that dramatically increases children's play space and has prevented a year-round restaurant from being built. We are now campaigning and litigating for the restoration of the historic Pavilion. We wish to prevent it from being converted into an upscale restaurant in a restaurant-saturated area, to keep it out of private hands, and to ensure that it is used primarily as an activity area for children and for other members of the community.