New York City Has Two Midtown Pedestrian Malls
Times Square and Herald Square Have Traffic-free Areas
Sep 4, 2009
Pull up a chair, relax and watch the world go by. That doesn't say much unless it happens in New York City's Times Square, nicknamed the "Crossroads of the World." The prime tourist destination recently had its 47th to 42nd Streets traffic flow rerouted. A sweeping pedestrian plaza is now complete as a social place for relaxation under the massive billboards and bright lights. Herald Square, known as Macy's front yard at 35th to 32nd Streets, also has a new pedestrian mall with the same welcoming theme. More than 100 planters were added to both squares to create "green" zones.
The "Green Light for Midtown" Project
The project is the brainchild of Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, moved along by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City officials and Times and Herald Square representatives. Their objectives were simple by NYC standards: improve the Broadway corridor congestion; simplify traffic patterns; have longer green lights and add 2 1/2 acres of new and traffic-free public space. At a cost of approximately $1.5 million and a construction time frame of several months, the two malls were completed by late August 2009. Although a pilot program until year's end, the program's popularity makes it unlikely the City will return to the former chaos, especially since traffic injuries are already down 50 percent from 42nd Street to Herald Square. Vehicular East/West traffic is allowed on the cross streets.
The Times Square Pedestrian Mall
Before the installation of the Times Square pedestrian mall, statistics recorded breathtaking daily usage: 365,000 pedestrians; 300,000 subway fares; 75,000 bus passengers; stalled traffic; vendors; 39 Broadway theatres letting out; 1,279 people an hour forced to walk in the street and Times Square being the most filmed location in the City. It was obvious a new plan had to control some of the madness and traffic that only flowed in a downtown direction.
Rerouting traffic from Broadway onto the existing 7th Avenue created a sweeping pedestrian plaza from 47th to 42nd Streets with numerous extra-large planters. Red and gray is Times Square's pedestrian mall color theme and seen on tables, some with umbrellas, hundreds of chairs, plus a handful of benches. The first of the City's new bike racks were installed along Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets. More will follow. The mall is steps from the City's official tourist center.
TKTS Discounted Ticket Booth
Some of Times Square's best free seats are made of glass and rise 16 feet, amphitheater-style, over Duffy Square.They are part of the newly rebuilt and all-glass TKTS booth structure, now a treasured landmark with flexible and usable public space. When the midday sun reflects off the three-layered, slip-resistant Saint-Gobain Damant glass steps, they turn a bright red. By night, expect to see a claret tone. As many as 1,500 people can sit on the steps that close at 1:00 a.m. Anchoring the square is a statue of George M. Cohan, considered the father of the American musical comedy. Running along 47th Street and at the back of the stairs, are 12 TKTS windows, which represent 20% more than before the renovation. Something new is the acceptance of credit cards, in addition to cash and traveler's checks.
Macy's Herald Square Pedestrian Mall
Some consider the portion of the Herald Square pedestrian mall that is across from Macy's and between 35th and 34th Streets a cozier and more "greener" experience than the Times Square mall. One section is in front of the store; another is nearby and enclosed with shrubbery and a fence. The busy East/West 34th Street thoroughfare remains open to vehicles. Below 34th Street and until 32nd Street are two other plazas with trees and planters. The Herald Square colors are dark green umbrella tables with hundreds of green folding chairs as well as benches to accent the space. There's a free-standing, paid rest room available and food kiosks.
Reaction to the Pedestrian Malls
Tourists especially like the City's two pedestrian malls, which provide a safe and comfortable place to relax, to eat or to take in the New York scene. Polled New Yorkers like what's been done...but don't want the same mall idea in their back yard, which will keep the Midtown plazas a popular tourist draw. What everyone does like is the "greening" of Manhattan that has seen over 200 new bike paths created throughout the City in two years.
For official Times Square tourist information, visit the Times Square Alliance.
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