Times Square is Great for Tourists, But Not For Residents

In today's NY Times article about improving Times Square for residents, there is an incredible quote from Times Square Alliance director Tim Tompkins (left):

"We used to focus on fewer whores. Now we are focused on more stores."

Now that is a slogan, though not necessarily one that will bring in more business of a certain kind. The Times Square Alliance is pitching companies to open shop mostly west of Times Square, along Eighth and Ninth Avenues, because there are a lack of core stores that residents need. However, some businesses are wary of bringing their shops to Times Square; a real estate brokerage representative said, "Who wants to shop where you get caught in that slow-moving crowd from out of town?" Or that slow-moving crowd from town but it moves slow because of the sidewalk barriers? Which makes Gothamist wonder if Times Square will become a true residential neighborhood, versus a tourist or after-work one. What do you think?

Times Square is the center of many things, especially advertising. Check out the Times Square Alliance's guide to advertising. And here's what happening in the area. Plus, we saw on the local news that this weekend was the first time the TKTS screen had a wedding proposal (she accepted).

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on March 7, 2005 2:40 PM

Comments [rss]

Michael

I miss the peep joints and whores of 42nd street. And it was easy to walk in those days.

And Zigfield, I was born in Queens, raised on Long Island, schooled in Manhattan, and I always walk fast. I am the son of a Brooklyn-Bronx couple...maybe it's in my genes...

I hate walking in Times Square-I want to put up a forearm and drive through the crowd...

Karen

To: uhhhhnopeg. You will undoubtedly be pleased to learn that The New Jersey Tourist Authority has taken careful note of your considered remarks. They have asked me--on their behalf--to extend a personal invitation to you to visit Camden, NJ. It was suggested that the most opportune time for your visit would be between midnight-5:00am.

www.southjerseynews.com/battle...

uhhhhnopeg

No Karen, people from New Jersey are from the metro area, and are a little nastier and faster moving than people from the midwest (where I assume you were born if you don't know that New Jersey is gritty, crime-ridden shithole).

Karen

"Slow-moving Iowans?" Jeez. And to think I always thought they were just daytrippers from New Jersey.

Nicole

Thanks, ziegfeld. Great comment. I suppose all these commenters when in a new city, just zip from place to place absolutely sure of where they are at all times. Right.

If I can put up with tourists in my city slowing down to a crawl at every intersection as they look for a certain street, then I think New Yorkers can put up with slow walkers.

BF

Sounds like a plan to me, ziegfeld! Round 'em up.

ziegfeld

Once again, I'm struck by the nastiness of readers' comments about visitors to our city..."clueless tourists", "slow moving Iowans", "Mayberry hayseeds."

Was every Gothamist reader born in Manhattan? Or its newest cultural extension, Brooklyn? Or maybe the netherlands of Westchester and Long Island?

I suspect that many readers---and many current residents---were drawn to the City as a result of having first visited it as a "slow moving tourist".

And what would these readers substitute for the income tourism provides the city? More coffee shops and indie music stores?

I guess we should divide the City into tourist-only and tourist-free zones.

Karen

Was a tiny bit disappointed that you didn't mention the museum branch that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) opened in Times Square. Here is the link for it: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr091304.html.

Some may also be pleased to learn that the exhibit "Target America: Drug Traffickers, Terrorists & You" has now been extended to March 19. This exhibit should make any tourist think twice about making a return visit to NYC.

And yes, there is a gift shop. (A DEA Christmas ornament will add a special touch to your holiday tree.)

cj

the other day i was carefullyl parallel parking on 48th and 7th and some fannypacker does a judo chop on my trunk door. she was "helpfully" making sure i didn't drive straight into the sidewalk and mow people down like a maniac. tourists not only own that turf, they police it like the mayberry hayseeds they are.

Chris

I lived a couple of blocks from Times Square when I first moved to New York. At first I liked it, mostly because it felt like I was really right in the middle of things, but it only took a few months for me to realize that the area around TS is hardly the real New York. Beyond being turned off by the Disneyfication of the whole area, it drove me nuts to have to wrestle past throngs of slow-moving Iowans every time I had to go to the subway. No amount of stores could EVER lure me back to that neighborhood.

times square is for squares

Was Times Square ever a good place to hang out?

You were either a pervert (in the, uh, "good" ol' days) or now a clueless tourist.

K. Thor Jensen

http://www.shortandhappy.com/nycvbi/

BF

I live just north of Times Square proper - and I would love to see more neighborhood places around there. Everything is geared towards the tourists and it's awful - 8th avenue is a little better but still lacking in good restaurants and brunch spots - 9th avenue is better. It's so annoying - some great apartments but I almost always leave the area to do everything - see movies, have a meal, meet for drinks, etc etc. They need to get rid of the 346 stores that sell stupid, cheap NY memorabilia and the multitude of Applebee's and TGI Fridays. (It boggles my mind that these tourists come to NYC and spend their entire time in ESPN Sports Zone and then Pizzeria Uno. Sounds like a freakin awesome time. Sign me up).

Bring some life to the Times Square area!