Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I can't believe that no one has started a new thread on this. The radio announced that Bloomberg wants a third one of these on 34th, along with splitting 34th into one-way streets.
Personally, I really despise these. I think they're ugly and stupid, apart from the away of making a mockery of "Broadway" as the new "Narrowway." Who in their right mind wants to sit on a hard chair in the middle of traffic fumes? Some of these are just a disaster waiting to happen, on the day that a car plows into a group of sitters. I am absolutely convinced that the traffic data was jiggered, because it's simply not possible for things not to get worse when you eliminate streets.
In a city that is so desperate for money, why are we wasting untold amounts - not just the concrete work, but the street furniture, the re-wiring, planning man-hours, the PR man-hours, the cleaning crews, etc.?
I have to agree with you. It's amazing how people don't realize that Mayor Doomberg is literally the George W Bush of New York City. Anything they both want, they ram it though without any interception. The traffic around Times Square was already clogged, and he turned it from bad to worse, creating a transportation nightmare. I swear this is our payback from not getting congestion pricing, and his bull**** West Side Stadium put into reality.
I don't know about the car traffic, but sitting at those tables in Times Square is actually surprisingly peaceful. Really. You could bring a book out there and relax. It's nicer and more peaceful (for me) than Union Square Park, for example.
I don't know about the car traffic, but sitting at those tables in Times Square is actually surprisingly peaceful. Really. You could bring a book out there and relax. It's nicer and more peaceful (for me) than Union Square Park, for example.
It actually is quite peaceful. I've sat there many times, reading a book or a newspaper or just to "people watch". It's nice to have a place amid the madness to be able to get away from the traffic (both vehicle and pedestrian!) and relax for a bit.
I was at the Herald Square "pedestrian plaza" today also and, while I don't like it as much as the Times Square one, it was pretty nice.
I have no problem with more pedestrian plazas being created. There are way too many cars and trucks clogging up the streets in Manhattan and it's great to have a place for the people rather than the vehicles!
I find these so-called malls absolutely ridiculous. I'm really not quite clear as to why sitting in the middle of car exhaust is preferable to taking ones fat or skinny ass along with their book to Central Park and sitting in one of the hundreds of much more comfortably secluded areas available. Perhaps it's because people who like these things don't like having to walk a quarter mile from Times Square or Herald Square or walk, period.
For all of the empty claims that the city makes about relieving traffic congestion this is about the most congestion inducing thing for the surrounding areas. For those complaining about not finding "peace and quiet" I would suggest considering the fact that this is a city. Perhaps these folks would do better to try experiencing some of the other 360 or so square miles of it. Riverside Park, Chelsea Piers, Battery Park, Central Park, City Island, Prospect Park are some of the best places to have your city and quiet too. But I guess it's just asking too much for people to be more active and wide ranging in their travels and use of the city. As for "people watching," how is that not possible anywhere but in a mall?
As for too many "cars and trucks clogging up the streets," bare in mind that just about all of those trucks are supplying this town with virtually every single thing you purchase to wear, use, or eat. Imagine what happens to retail prices over time when that kind of traffic is given less access, moves a lot slower, or starts getting charged a toll. (remember that brilliant mayoral suggestion for scamming cash?) I'll bet some of the folks that love these malls would be the first to scream and the last to figure out the connection.
I can't believe that no one has started a new thread on this. The radio announced that Bloomberg wants a third one of these on 34th, along with splitting 34th into one-way streets.
Personally, I really despise these. I think they're ugly and stupid, apart from the away of making a mockery of "Broadway" as the new "Narrowway." Who in their right mind wants to sit on a hard chair in the middle of traffic fumes? Some of these are just a disaster waiting to happen, on the day that a car plows into a group of sitters. I am absolutely convinced that the traffic data was jiggered, because it's simply not possible for things not to get worse when you eliminate streets.
In a city that is so desperate for money, why are we wasting untold amounts - not just the concrete work, but the street furniture, the re-wiring, planning man-hours, the PR man-hours, the cleaning crews, etc.?
Damn, it's like your reading my mind. Doomberg has indicated that he is looking to add another one on Broadway near Union Square. Why? For a city that is laying off people, closing fire houses, stalling police academies, why take this money to build this instead of trying to correct these problems?
I find these so-called malls absolutely ridiculous. I'm really not quite clear as to why sitting in the middle of car exhaust is preferable to taking ones fat or skinny ass along with their book to Central Park
It's not "sitting in the middle of car exhaust" since there aren't any cars in the TS pedestrian plaza. Also, I head to Central Park very often. However, there are times when I'm having lunch or whatever and TS is much more convenient.
Quote:
For all of the empty claims that the city makes about relieving traffic congestion this is about the most congestion inducing thing for the surrounding areas.
Maybe MB should re-think his "congestion pricing" and start charing idiots who decide to take a joy ride into Manhattan instead of using mass transit.
Quote:
For those complaining about not finding "peace and quiet" I would suggest considering the fact that this is a city
I don't recall reading any "complaints about finding peace and quiet"
Quote:
Perhaps these folks would do better to try experiencing some of the other 360 or so square miles of it. Riverside Park, Chelsea Piers, Battery Park, Central Park, City Island, Prospect Park are some of the best places to have your city and quiet too.
And this is going to happen on a lunch break? Or while waiting for someone?
[quote; As for "people watching," how is that not possible anywhere but in a mall?[/quote]
Did anyone said this was only possible in a pedestrian plaza?
Quote:
As for too many "cars and trucks clogging up the streets," bare in
mind that just about all of those trucks are supplying this town with virtually every single thing you purchase to wear, use, or eat. Imagine what happens to retail prices over time when that kind of traffic is given less access, moves a lot slower, or starts getting charged a toll. (remember that brilliant mayoral suggestion for scamming cash?) I'll bet some of the folks that love these malls would be the first to scream and the last to figure out the connection.
I don't think so. I think you jump to too many incorrect conclusions. People are well aware of this. However, a few pedestrian plazas aren't going to stop the delivery trucks from where they need to go.
Manhattan is very big with many streets/routes that drivers can use to get where they need to be.
It's because, unfortunately, our Mayor is a control freak. He's just not happy unless he's imposing his will 24 hours a day on eight million New Yorkers. I wonder if anyone has looked into the question of who's going to be designing these pedestrian malls...and whether they have any connection to the Mayor going deeper than a contract bid.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
