Times Square Going Back To All Traffic?

[Mr Roxy]

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.?

 

Updated On: 8/20/15 at 08:37 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/20/15 at 8:41pm

Bring back the sleaze and the porn!

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/20/15 at 8:44pm

The cartoon people will accost people on the sidewalk.

 

[haterobics]

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.

[Phillypinto]

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]

Posted: 8/20/15 at 9:58pm

This was just discussed on NY 1 The Call.

[Marianne2]

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. 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 8/20/15 at 10:04pm

Don't they ask for 5 dollars for a picture with them?

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/20/15 at 10:14pm

There are also signs that say it is illegal for them to ask for money, I'm guessing put up by the city.

[Islander_fan]

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

 

 

[E.Davis]

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? 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 7:09am

Those people need to find better day jobs. They should get together and open up a Taco Bell or something 

[Brian07663NJ]

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]

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]

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.

Updated On: 8/21/15 at 12:04 PM

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:10pm

How are they prostitutes?

 

 

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:13pm

A lot of people seem to want the big bad government involved.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:15pm

"How are they prostitutes?"

Selling their bodies for money.

[SonofRobbieJ]

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]

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.

[SNAFU]

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!

 

[Phillypinto]

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]

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]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:59pm

Oh what a surprise, closet case Republican stands up for his hero.

[Reginald Tresilian]

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.