The architect's design provides a broad level central court surrounding the existing Dewey Monument that is suitable for concerts, art shows, civic gatherings, as well as sunning and lunching. A cafe and symphony-sized stage will be among the renovations on the 2.6-acre square. Uptown Garage Corp., a city corporation established to run the square's underground parking garage, will issue revenue bonds to pay for the project.
Surrounded by Neiman Marcus, Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue, Union Square is hub of activity during the day, filled with art shows, lunchtime operas and last-minute rock concerts. The city's annual Christmas tree is located at the site as well.
The four-level underground parking garage will remain open during construction but end up with elevators, better ventilation and better rest rooms. The discount theater ticket booth, which is now on the Square's Stockton Street side, will move to the Powell Street side.
Union Square has been redesigned and rebuilt every couple of generations since its inception. The look of the new Union Square was determined by a 1997 design competition sponsored by Union Square Association, Macy's, the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association and the city.
The contest drew more than 300 entries from 10 countries and 20 states. After Philips and Fotheringham were selected, a project team was assembled under the leadership of the city's department of public works and the landscape architect firm Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey.
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