Times Square Going Back To All Traffic?
Times Square Going Back To All Traffic?
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#1Times Square Going Back To All Traffic?
Posted: 8/20/15 at 8:37pm
There is a possibility that Times Square may revert to the way it was by paving over the pedestrian area and returning the area to all traffic. This idea is being floated as a way to get the painted ladies and costume characters out that are now in the area. Bratton is talking about it and now the mayor has chimed in.
What do you think of the idea.?
#2Times Square Going Back All Traffic?
Posted: 8/20/15 at 8:41pm
Bring back the sleaze and the porn!
#3Times Square Going Back All Traffic?
Posted: 8/20/15 at 8:44pm
The cartoon people will accost people on the sidewalk.
#4Times Square Going Back All Traffic?
Posted: 8/20/15 at 9:01pm
Seems like it would be easier to just make the street performers have to get licenses to set up shop there, and regulate them out that way. You can't just wheel a food truck into Times Square and start selling things.
Otherwise, it seems like paving over a garden because you couldn't get rid of the weeds.
#5Times Square Going Back All Traffic?
Posted: 8/20/15 at 9:22pm
I agree hater. How the **** are those people being there legal? I'm okay with the naked cowboy and that's about it. The Mexican Minnie Mouse and friends needs to go. So do the naked girls. they shouldn't make the area into a street because it's nice to just chill and sit down in between shows lol
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#6Times Square Going Back All Traffic?
Posted: 8/20/15 at 9:58pm
This was just discussed on NY 1 The Call.
#7Times Square Going Back All Traffic?
Posted: 8/20/15 at 10:01pm
I like the pedestrian zones only because it is so easy to walk through the area now. When they had closed some of it for construction last summer, it was horrible walking along the crowds on the sidewalk area. I also agree that these costume characters are not going to go away. I think they hung out on 6th ave between 48th & 49th before going to Times Square. I remember seeing them there.
While I do not agree with the fights some of these people start, the innocent ones don't bother me. If they are standing outside in whatever they are wearing or not and minding their own business, good for them. I just don't care. I love NYC for its craziness. Just again, the ones that cause the issues and get arrested are the ones who are the problems. They should be monitored.
#8Times Square Going Back All Traffic?
Posted: 8/20/15 at 10:04pm
Don't they ask for 5 dollars for a picture with them?
Islander_fan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/14
#10Deleted
Posted: 8/20/15 at 10:20pm
I honestly think that in an ideal world, they would keep the area closed off to traffic, but find a way to make the costume characters illegal there. I believe that one of the options was to turn Times Square into a city park, where things like that can't happen without approval from the city. I think that that would be a better idea than having the area re opened to traffic.
I do remember awhile back a press conference being held with the city councilwoman who's district includes Times Square. She was fielding questions about the issues that are faced with the costume characters being there. A guy in a Batman costume stormed the stage saying that for many people it's their lively hood etc. The meeting resulted in signs being put up at the entrance to Times Square saying that you don't have to tip them if you don't want to.
I agree with what was said earlier. They don't really bother me, but the stories of them being violent towards those that refused to tip was getting out of hand. I haven't heard many more stories about that sort of thing since they put the signs up. There's an interesting story that was in the times a little over a year ago that talked about the people who do dress up in costume for photos. It's a very interesting read. It does give you a taste of things form another angle. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/03/nyregion/the-lives-behind-times-square-cartoon-characters.html
#11Deleted
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:05am
If it went back to all traffic it would just show what a colossal waste of money they just spent transforming them into pedestrian plazas. They just finished 42nd St. up through 45 street and Duffy Square is essentially done and to be honest, it looks pretty good and made the area more tourist friendly (with or without the costumed panhandlers). It would just be ridiculous if it changed back. Would the spots in other parts of midtown revert back too?
Brian07663NJ
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
#13Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 8:42am
Gotta love deBlasio's solution - let's throw the baby out with the bathwater. Getting rid of the pedestrian plaza that cost tax payers a boat load of money is really STUPID idea. I really like the pedestrian plaza because is adds walking area in a seriously congested location, when you can find a table/chair it is fun to sit and people watch, etc
Agree with a previous mention that a license could be an effective solution. Instead of throwing money at the problem...collect the money!
BTW - remember that joke that circulates once in a while: Attention...in an effort to fight terrorism, on Friday all women should be nude... Aren't the topless women in Times Square fighting terrorism! They are painted with American flags across their breasts.
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
#14Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 8:56am
Shows the complete idiocy and cronyism of DeBlasio. I suspect this is tied to something a little more shady. He might be trying to fulfill a promised contract to a donor/supporter in the transportation or public works sector. Or perhaps he's simply "repaying" a group who could benefit from this decision, like the Taxi & Limousine Commission. Follow the money, friends, follow the money.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#15Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:04pm
The first thing de Blasio should do is call upon the franchises of the costumed people. Make a call to Disney and ask them to prosecute Minnie Mouse for making money off one of their characters. Clear the area of ALL costumed characters.
Second, anyone who wants to set up a photo business has to be licensed and approved (just like the MTA puts musicians in the subway). These people are not like buskers who actually perform for money, they are just standing around.
Third, make the police do their job. The police just stand around and watch these people ply their wares. Have the women arrested for prostitution.
And the fourth thing de Blasio should do is make the owner of Broadwayworld fix this website so that paragraph spacing and other things actually work when posting.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#17Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:13pm
A lot of people seem to want the big bad government involved.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#18Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:15pm
"How are they prostitutes?"
Selling their bodies for money.
#19Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:22pm
That is not the definition of prostitution. At all.
As being topless in public in NYC is not illegal, the only law they may be breaking is asking for money for photos. Naked Cowboy has been unpacking his big bag of bullsh*t for a long time. That ain't prostitution either.
Updated On: 8/21/15 at 12:22 PM
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#20Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:30pm
The cranks in this thread love him because he's a Republican and he touches that part of them they sublimate.
#21Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:33pm
I find the topless women the least offensive of the "street performers". Those furry costumed characters are just plain gross and a health hazard!
#22Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:54pm
It's funny when they take their heads off and they are dying of heat and are drenched with sweat under there
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#23Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:58pm
The Naked Cowboy is not naked by the way. He does not strong arm money from people either.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#24Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:59pm
Oh what a surprise, closet case Republican stands up for his hero.
#25Times Square
Posted: 8/21/15 at 1:26pm
The Naked Cowboy is exactly as naked as the women are, and he's there for exactly the same reason--to make money.
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