More Sidewalk, Less Cars for Times Square?

Times Square, the crossroads of the world, wants to be a little less roady and more of a place for pedestrians to cross. The Times Square Alliance has a ten point plan to further improve Times Square, namely to make it look more beautiful and for pedestrians to have an easier time of it. Times Square Alliance president Tim Tompkins said, "While Times Square is gorgeous from the neck up, it needs a makeover from the neck down." Word - you can't walk more than five steps without bumping into someone who has suddenly stopped to be conned. Main goals of the plan: Rebuild and expand Duffy Square; increase the sidewalk space and reduce sidewalk clutter; redesign newspaper boxes and stands; do not let cars "cross over" where Broadway and Seventh Avenue meet; install new signal timing for traffic lights. Now, the problems with Times Square are familiar to all, from sidewalk planters in front of buildings to slow moving packs of tourists. Gothamist is intrigued by this plan, because we're all for keeping pedestrians a priority, but the idea of Times Square as anything but a logjam of people trying to get from one place to another (look at 1957's Sweet Smell of Success - all Sidney Falco does is elbow his way around) seems like a pipe dream.

Do you think it's possible to make Times Square even more pedestrian friendly? Would there need to be tourist lanes? Gothamist on a proposed but seemingly fanciful 42nd Street light rail and our interview with one Times Square regular, the Naked Cowboy.

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

By Jen Chung in News on June 2, 2005 9:30 AM

Comments [rss]

Scottz

The man's bulge protruding from a cowboy's thong :D

Kojak

par3182: Depends on the type of nudity. Do you want to see man bulge protruding from a cowboy's thong underwear, or topless hooter girls?

I'll choose the hooter girls.

par3182

ban the naked cowboy? no way. what times square needs is MORE nudity.

Keith

I say just release some lions and other predatory beasts into the area. That should keep the crowds moving fast and thin them out a bit.

Captain Midnight

Can't say as I like their plans to redo TKTS, though. Make it a bit neater and sturdier, sure, but don't change it. After 32 years, it's a NY fixture with its own distinctive style. Is it too late to get the Landmarks Commission involved?

They could always do that "people mover" idea that Albert Speer suggested for Broadway over 125 years ago. A moving sidewalk would force tourists to keep moving, although it might be impossible in today's litigious environment.

NY Grammarian

And now for the grammatically correct title to this piece:

More Sidewalk, Fewer Cars for Times Square?

Kojak

Oh, what about those israelites? Are they still there? I understand they have a right to protest but they do get in the way.

Kojak

Agreed. I have been blinded many times by that skimpy cowboy. The police should make him wear pants or fine him.

King Hippo

Obviously the solution is more tourist wranglers to keep them doggies moving. Maybe that and the introduction of predators to thin the herd. Maybe cougars.