Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Times Square Sanctuary

For the last two weekends, Times Square in midtown Manhattan has been shut down to automobile traffic to create a 'sanctuary' for locals and tourists alike to enjoy the 'crossroads of the world'. The city even provided lounge chairs (some of which were stolen) for the public. Motorist, especially the taxi drivers were not happy with this plan but most people (in the photo) think this is a great plan.

What do you think of the plan? Would you hang out at Times Square if there were no automobile traffic to worry about?

28 comments:

Frances said...

Wow! How interesting, I can imagine the whinging if they tried to do that here is Sydney.

Missy,Mrs and Mum said...

Love it how everyone has popped into starbucks to get a latte!!!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting ,it looks like a very social gathering.
Who stole the loungers & who from.

Babzy.B said...

surprising image , great ! sometimes you have to feel what it would be without cars !

Jane Hards Photography said...

Yes I would. This would be a fantastic unique photo op( as you've proved)and what a way to meet people instead of just passing by. I'd love to shoot the Traffic at night this by day.

B SQUARED said...

I probably would not hang out but, I think it is a fabulous idea.

Shaun said...

This is strange and quite nice....

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

Hahaha...stolen lounge chairs! so very New York!

Ann (MobayDP) said...

I love this idea! Maybe not Lounge chairs, but benches, cafes etc.

I always love any idea that doesn't involve vehicular traffic!

lemon said...

Very interesting project!
Thanks for the interesting information!

Katie said...

I just think it's weird that anyone would want to hang out in a street that's had gas emissions, oil drips and trash juice landing on it for ages...

Luuworld said...

wow- great i idea. this is the kind of stuff that raises the quality of life in a big city a notch or two. i like.

marley said...

Its just not right. Times Square with out the yellow cabs and honking horns? The worlds gone mad! I can understand why its been done but I think I prefered it how it was.

Chuck Pefley said...

Personally I'm not in favor of eliminating traffic through Times Square ... most of the vibrancy and energy is lost. However, I think it's of benefit to you on a personal level, Ming, since it's several fewer square blocks you don't have to drive through -:)))

teahouse said...

Honestly, I hate this plan! I think the traffic is already bad enough in Manhattan on the West Side...I'm not into it!

Unknown said...

Did you take a seat and rested and watch the crowds?

You think that will ever happen in Singapore? LOL....

Tiago said...

Great photo!!! I love it!

TCake said...

How great...love Times square... it's amazing to see without traffic!...have been following blog for some time and have finally started a london one! thanks for the inspiration.
http://londonrecipe.blogspot.com/
Teresa x

Ken Mac said...

Times Square is supposed to be the crossroads of the world, not a backyard barbeque in Yonkers. This, last Bloomberg, has got to go. Lawn chairs in Times Square? How bout picnic tables? Badminton? maybe some tanning booths? Where's Taxi Driver when you need him...

Ken Mac said...

plus as Teashouse said, this has made the already impossible traffic even worse on the adjacent avenues.

thwany said...

omg that looks absolutely horrible and i feel like it's a still from some apocalyptic movie.

Layrayski said...

what a fantastic idea! I can imagine what a unique experience that would be for the new york people, and tourists alike.

GMG said...

Stolen chairs! What else? ;))
have to see it before having an opinion...

valeria said...

I defintely would!!! What a great idea to close the road to traffic...

Todd HellsKitchen said...

What do I think? Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!

Anonymous said...

As a tourist there I think it would be great. Maybe some tables, chairs and umbrellas for the summer? It really is hard to get around the congestion from traffic and too many people.

Where's the Naked Cowboy now?

Doris

sonia a. mascaro said...

You got an amazing picture!
I don't have an authoritative opinion about this plan...but looks interesting.

Anonymous said...

I think it's a terrible idea and wish Bloomberg and his administration would keep their lame ideas to themselves. I'm sure a bunch of tourists and people who moved to NY from elsewhere enjoy the novelty of it, but who wants to hang out in a street? I've been hanging out in streets my whole life. If I wanted to do that I'd walk outside my apt (yeah, I know...but it wouldn't be Times Square - big whoop). This is what Central Park was designed for! (and what the beach is for.)