Hubbry Logo
Times SquareTimes SquareMain
Open search
Times Square
Community hub
Times Square
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Times Square
Times Square
Times Square
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and neighborhood in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City. It is formed by the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. Together with adjacent Duffy Square, Times Square is a bowtie-shaped plaza five blocks long between 42nd and 47th Streets.[2]

Key Information

Times Square is brightly lit by numerous digital billboards and advertisements as well as businesses offering 24/7 service. One of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections,[3] it is also the hub of the Theater District,[4] where most Broadway theatres are located, and a major center of the world's entertainment industry.[5] Times Square is one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors annually.[6] Approximately 330,000 people pass through Times Square daily,[7] many of them tourists,[8] while over 460,000 pedestrians walk through Times Square on its busiest days.[2] The Times Square–42nd Street and 42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal stations have consistently ranked as the busiest in the New York City Subway system, transporting more than 200,000 passengers daily.[9]

Formerly known as Longacre Square, Times Square was renamed in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the then newly erected Times Building, now One Times Square.[10] It is the site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop, which began on December 31, 1907, and continues to attract over a million visitors to Times Square every year,[11] in addition to a worldwide audience of one billion or more on various digital media platforms.[12]

Times Square, specifically the intersection of Broadway and 42nd Street, is the eastern terminus of the Lincoln Highway, the first road across the United States for motorized vehicles.[13] Times Square is sometimes referred to as "the Crossroads of the World",[14] "the Center of the Universe",[15] and "the heart of the Great White Way".[16][17][18]

Geography

[edit]

Times Square functions as a town square, but is not geometrically a square. It is closer in shape to a bowtie, with two triangles emanating roughly north and south from 45th Street,[19] where Seventh Avenue intersects Broadway. Broadway similarly intersects other north–south avenues at Union Square, Madison Square, Herald Square, and Verdi Square, none of which are squares.[20] The area is bounded by West 42nd Street, West 47th Street, 7th Avenue, and Broadway. Broadway runs diagonally, crossing through the horizontal and vertical street grid of Manhattan laid down by the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, and that intersection creates the "bowtie" shape of Times Square.[21][22]

Times Square is the official name of the southern triangle, below 45th Street.[23] The northern triangle is officially known as Duffy Square[24] and was dedicated in June 1939 to honor World War I chaplain Father Francis P. Duffy of the 69th New York Infantry Regiment.[25] A statue by Charles Keck was dedicated in May 1937 as a memorial to Duffy.[26] There is also a statue of composer and entertainer George M. Cohan,[27][28] and the TKTS discount ticket booth for same-day Broadway and off-Broadway theaters that has been at the site since June 1973.[29][30]

History

[edit]
Broadway at 42nd Street in 1898
A crowd outside One Times Square follows the progress of the Jack Dempsey vs. Georges Carpentier boxing fight in 1921.

Early history

[edit]

When Manhattan Island was first settled by the Dutch colonists, three small streams united near what is now the intersection of 10th Avenue and 40th Street. These three streams formed the "Great Kill" (Dutch: Grote Kil). From there the Great Kill wound through the low-lying Reed Valley, known for fish and waterfowl,[31] and emptied into a deep bay in the Hudson River at the present 42nd Street.[32] The name was retained in a tiny hamlet, Great Kill, that became a center for carriage-making, as the upland to the south and east became known as Longacre.[33]

Before and after the American Revolution, the area belonged to John Morin Scott, a general of the New York militia, in which he served under George Washington. Scott's manor house was at what is currently 43rd Street, surrounded by countryside used for farming and breeding horses. In the first half of the 19th century, it became one of the prized possessions of John Jacob Astor, who made a second fortune selling off lots to hotels and other real estate concerns as the city rapidly spread uptown.[34]

By 1872, the area had become the center of New York's horse carriage industry. The locality had not previously been given a name, and city authorities called it Longacre Square after Long Acre in London, where the horse and carriage trade was centered in that city.[35] William Henry Vanderbilt owned and ran the American Horse Exchange there. In 1910, it became the Winter Garden Theatre.[36]

As more profitable commerce and industrialization of Lower Manhattan pushed homes, theaters, and prostitution northward from the Tenderloin District, Longacre Square became nicknamed the Thieves Lair for its increasingly prominent reputation as a low entertainment district. The first theater on the square, the Olympia, was built by cigar manufacturer and impresario Oscar Hammerstein I.[37] According to Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898, "By the early 1890s this once sparsely settled stretch of Broadway was ablaze with electric light and thronged by crowds of middle- and upper-class theatre, restaurant and cafe patrons."[38]

1900s–1930s

[edit]

In 1904, New York Times publisher Adolph S. Ochs moved the newspaper's operations to a new skyscraper on 42nd Street at Longacre Square, on the site of the former Pabst Hotel, which had existed on the site for less than a decade since it opened in November 1899.[39] Ochs persuaded Mayor George B. McClellan Jr. to construct a subway station there, and the area was renamed "Times Square" on April 8, 1904.[40] Just three weeks later, the first electrified advertisement appeared on the side of a bank at the corner of 46th Street and Broadway.[41] The north end later became Duffy Square, and the former Horse Exchange became the Winter Garden Theatre, constructed in 1911.[42]

The New York Times moved to more spacious offices one block west of the square in 1913 and sold the building in 1961.[40] The old Times Building was later named the Allied Chemical Building in 1963.[43] Now known simply as One Times Square, it is famed for the Times Square Ball drop on its roof every New Year's Eve.

In 1913, the Lincoln Highway Association, headed by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, chose the intersection of 42nd Street and Broadway (at the southeast corner of Times Square) to be the Eastern Terminus of the Lincoln Highway. This was the first road across the United States, which originally ran 3,389 mi (5,454 km) coast to coast through 13 states to its western terminus in Lincoln Park in San Francisco.[44][45]

Times Square grew dramatically after World War I.[46] It became a cultural hub full of theatres, music halls, and upscale hotels.[46]

Times Square quickly became New York's agora, a place to gather to await great tidings and to celebrate them, whether a World Series or a presidential election.

— James Traub, The Devil's Playground: A Century of Pleasure and Profit in Times Square

Advertising also grew significantly in the 1920s, growing from $25 million to $85 million over the decade.[47] For example, the Wrigley Spearmint Gum sign, possibly the biggest electric sign "in the world," cost $9,000 per month to rent.[48] Some contemporary critics, such as Thorstein Veblen[49] and G. K. Chesterton,[50] disliked the advertising at Times Square. Fritz Lang, after seeing Times Square in 1923, used it as inspiration for his dark industrial film Metropolis.[49]

Entertainment icons such as Irving Berlin, Charlie Chaplin, and Fred Astaire were closely associated with Times Square in the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s. However, it was also during this period that the area began to be besieged by crime and corruption, in the form of gambling and prostitution; one case that garnered huge attention was the arrest and subsequent execution of police officer Charles Becker.[51]

1930s–1950s

[edit]
Crowds celebrating in Times Square on V-J Day (August 15, 1945)

The general atmosphere of Times Square changed with the onset of the Great Depression in the early 1930s. City residents moved uptown to cheaper neighborhoods, and many popular theaters closed, replaced by saloons, brothels, "burlesque halls, vaudeville stages, and dime houses".[52] The area acquired a reputation as a dangerous and seedy neighborhood in the following decades.[53]

Nevertheless, Times Square continued to be the site of the annual ball drop on New Year's Eve. The ball drop was placed on hiatus for New Year's Eve in 1942 and 1943 due to lighting restrictions during World War II, replaced by a moment of silence that was observed at midnight in Times Square, accompanied by the sound of chimes played from sound trucks.[54]

On May 8, 1945, a massive crowd celebrated Victory in Europe Day in Times Square;[55] and on August 15, 1945, the largest crowd in the history of Times Square gathered to celebrate Victory over Japan Day, reaching an estimated two million.[56] The victory itself was announced by a headline on the "zipper" news ticker at One Times Square, which read "OFFICIAL ***TRUMAN ANNOUNCES JAPANESE SURRENDER ***".[57]

1960s–1990s

[edit]

Decline

[edit]
Camel Cigarettes sign, 1965. Below and near the letters "Cam" is smoke from a disintegrating smoke ring.
Times Square, 1965; the My Fair Lady marquee is at center.

From the 1960s to the early 1990s, the seediness of the area, especially due to its go-go bars, sex shops, peep shows, and adult theaters, became an infamous symbol of the city's decline.[58] As early as 1960, 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues was described by The New York Times as "the 'worst' [block] in town".[59] Later that decade, Times Square was depicted in Midnight Cowboy as gritty, depraved, and desperate.[60] Conditions only worsened in the 1970s and 1980s, as did the crime in the rest of the city, with a 1981 article in Rolling Stone magazine calling 42nd Street in Times Square the "sleaziest block in America".[61] In the mid-1980s, the area bounded by 40th and 50th Streets and Seventh and Ninth Avenues saw over 15,000 crime complaints per year.[62] The block of 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues had 2,300 crimes per year in 1984, of which 20% were felonies.[63][64]

Times Square was known in the 1970s-80s as the most notorious area for prostitution. In this era, formerly elegant movie theaters began to show x-rated films, and peep shows hustlers were common.[65] In 1984, the area was so derelict and dilapidated, that the entire Times Square area paid the city only $6 million in property taxes (equivalent to $18.2 million in 2024).[66]

1980s building boom

[edit]
Times Square in 1982

In the 1980s, a commercial building boom began in the western parts of Midtown as part of a long-term development plan developed under mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins. These included office buildings such as 1540 Broadway, 1585 Broadway, and 750 Seventh Avenue, as well as hotels such as the Macklowe Hotel, Marriott Marquis, Crowne Plaza, and DoubleTree Suites.[67] By 1986, New York City Planning Commission (CPC) was considering enacting regulations that would have forced new buildings along Times Square to include bright signage as well as deep setbacks.[68] The CPC adopted a planning regulation in 1987, which required large new developments in Times Square to set aside about 5 percent of their space for "entertainment uses".[69][a] The regulation also required new buildings on Times Square to include large, bright signs.[69] The buildings at 1540 Broadway, 1585 Broadway, and 750 Seventh Avenue were completed at the beginning of the early 1990s recession, when 14.5 percent of Manhattan office space was vacant.[70] Furthermore, some 9×10^6 sq ft (840,000 m2) of office space in the western section of Midtown had been developed in the 1980s, of which only half had been leased.[71][72] Consequently, 1540 Broadway was completely empty, while 1585 Broadway and 750 Seventh Avenue had one tenant each, despite the buildings having over 2×10^6 sq ft (190,000 m2) of office space between them.[70][73] Entertainment conglomerate Bertelsmann bought 1540 Broadway in 1992,[74][75] spurring a revival of Times Square in the early 1990s.[76][77] This was hastened when financial firm Morgan Stanley bought 1585 Broadway in 1993,[78] followed by 750 Seventh Avenue in 1994.[79]

42nd Street Redevelopment, further revitalization

[edit]
The pace, extensive transit connectivity, and theatrical tradition of 42nd Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, have made this one of the best known streets in the Times Square neighborhood and the Broadway Theater District.

The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), an agency of the New York state government, had proposed redeveloping the area around a portion of West 42nd Street in 1981.[80] Four towers designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee were to be built around 42nd Street's intersections with Broadway and Seventh Avenue.[81][82] These towers would have been redeveloped by George Klein of Park Tower Realty, though the Prudential Insurance Company of America joined the project in 1986.[83][84][85] Furthermore, as part of the West Midtown special zoning district created in 1982, the New York City government had allowed new buildings in Times Square to be developed with an increased floor area ratio. To ensure the area would not be darkened at nightfall, the city passed zoning regulations that encouraged developers to add large, bright signs on their buildings.[81][86]

In 1990, the State of New York took possession of six of the nine historic theaters on 42nd Street, and the New 42nd Street non-profit organization was appointed to oversee their restoration and maintenance. The theaters underwent renovation for Broadway shows, conversion for commercial purposes, or demolition.[87] Opposition to the towers on Times Square, along with Prudential and Park Tower's inability to secure tenants for the proposed buildings,[88] led government officials to allow Prudential and Park Tower to postpone the project in 1992.[82][89] By then, Prudential had spent $300 million on condemning the sites through eminent domain.[90] The partners retained the right to develop the sites in the future,[91] and the ESDC's zoning guidelines remained in effect.[81] In exchange for being permitted to delay construction of the sites until 2002, Prudential and Park Tower were compelled to add stores and install large signage on the existing buildings.[92]

In 1992, the Times Square Alliance (formerly the Times Square Business Improvement District, or "BID" for short), a coalition of city government and local businesses dedicated to improving the quality of commerce and cleanliness in the district, started operations in the area.[93] In 1998, the alliance opened a tourist information center in the former Embassy Theatre at 1560 Broadway;[94] the information center operated until 2014.[95]

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium are two of the newer attractions on the redeveloped 42nd Street.

In the mid-1990s, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani led an effort to clean up the area, an effort that is described by Steve Macek in Urban Nightmares: The Media, the Right, and the Moral Panic Over the City: Security was increased, pornographic theatres were closed, and "undesirable" low-rent residents were pressured to relocate, and then more tourist-friendly attractions and upscale establishments were opened. Advocates of the remodeling claim that the neighborhood is safer and cleaner. Detractors have countered that the changes have homogenized or "Disneyfied" the character of Times Square and have unfairly targeted lower-income New Yorkers from nearby neighborhoods such as Hell's Kitchen.[96][97] The changes were shaped in large part by the actions of The Walt Disney Company, which bought and restored the New Amsterdam Theatre after several attempts at redevelopment had failed. As part of a contract with Disney, officials from the city and state evicted the pornographic theaters and contracted with Madame Tussauds and AMC Theatres to move onto 42nd Street. This spurred the construction of new office towers, hotels, and tourist attractions in the area.[98]

Prudential and Klein dissolved their partnership for the four office-building sites at Times Square's southern end in 1996.[99][100] The same year, Douglas Durst acquired the site at the northeast corner of Broadway and 42nd Street,[101] and he developed 4 Times Square there.[102] The northwest corner of Seventh Avenue and 42nd Street was taken by Reuters, which enlisted Rudin Management as its development partner and built 3 Times Square on that corner;[103][104] that building opened in 2001.[105] In 1998, a joint venture of Klein, The Blackstone Group, and Boston Properties won the right to acquire the sites at the southwest and southeast corners of 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue for $330 million.[106][107] 5 Times Square was completed on the southwest-corner site in 2002,[108][109] and Times Square Tower opened on the southeast-corner site in 2004.[110]

Effects

[edit]

Times Square now boasts attractions such as ABC's Times Square Studios, where Good Morning America is broadcast live; competing Hershey's and M&M's stores across the street from each other, and multiple multiplex movie theaters. Additionally, the area contains restaurants such as the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, a seafood establishment; Planet Hollywood Restaurant and Bar, a theme restaurant; and Carmine's, serving Italian cuisine. It has also attracted several large financial, publishing, and media firms to set up headquarters in the area. A larger presence of police has improved the safety of the area.[87]

The theatres of Broadway and the huge number of animated neon and LED signs have been one of New York's iconic images as well as a symbol of the intensely urban aspects of Manhattan. Since 1987 such signage has been mandated by zoning ordinances that require building owners to display illuminated signs, the only district in New York City with this requirement.[111][112] The neighborhood has a minimum limit for lighting instead of the standard maximum limit.[113] The density of illuminated signs in Times Square rivals that in Las Vegas. Officially, signs in Times Square are called "spectaculars", and the largest of them are called "jumbotrons". This signage ordinance was implemented in accordance with guidelines set in a revitalization program that New York Governor Mario Cuomo implemented in 1993.[87]

The "Naked Cowboy" has been a fixture on Times Square for decades.

Notable signage includes the Toshiba billboard directly under the NYE ball drop, the curved seven-story NASDAQ sign at the NASDAQ MarketSite at 4 Times Square on 43rd Street, and the curved Coca-Cola sign located underneath another large LED display owned and operated by Samsung. Both the Coca-Cola sign and Samsung LED displays were built by LED display manufacturer Daktronics. Times Square's first environmentally friendly billboard powered by wind and solar energy was first lit on December 4, 2008.[114] The new 20 Times Square development hosts the largest LED signage in Times Square at 18,000 square feet.[115] The display is 1,000 square feet larger than the Times Square Walgreens display and one of the largest video-capable screens in the world.[116]

2000s–present

[edit]

In 2002, New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani administered the oath of office to the city's next mayor, Michael Bloomberg, at Times Square after midnight on January 1 as part of the 2001–02 New Year's celebration. Approximately 500,000 revelers attended. Security was high following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, with more than 7,000 New York City police officers on duty in the Square, twice the number for an ordinary year.[117]

Looking southeast at TKTS ticket booth in December 2008 at
Times Square

Times Square started hosting other major annual events in the 2000s. Since 2002, the summer solstice has been marked by "Mind over Madness", a mass yoga event involving up to 15,000 people. Tim Tompkins, a co-founder of the event, said part of its appeal was "finding stillness and calm amid the city rush on the longest day of the year".[118][119] Architect Mark Foster Gage proposed and designed the original Times Square Valentine's Day heart in 2009. Since then, designing the heart has become an annual competition.[120][121]

In February 2011, Times Square became smoke-free as New York extended the outdoors smoking ban to the area. The measure imposed a $50 fine for any person caught smoking within the area.[122] From January 29 to February 1, 2014, a "Super Bowl Boulevard" was held on Broadway, especially in Times Square, between 34th and 47th Streets, as part of Super Bowl XLVIII. The boulevard contained activities such as autographs, a 60 ft (18 m)-high toboggan run, and photographs with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.[123][124][125] The area was under increased security and witnessed over 400,000 people during the period.[126]

In October 2022, casino operator Caesars Entertainment and commercial property developer SL Green submitted a joint proposal to open a casino at 1515 Broadway, along Times Square.[127][128] The community advisory committee rejected the proposal in September of 2025, therefore ending the prospects of a casino hotel in Times Square.[129]

Pedestrian plaza

[edit]
Pedestrian plaza
Pilot program (2009)
Temporary conversion (2012)
Permanent reconstruction (2017)

On February 26, 2009, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that traffic lanes along Broadway from 42nd Street to 47th Street would be de-mapped starting Memorial Day 2009 and transformed into pedestrian plazas as a trial until at least the end of the year. The same was done in Herald Square from 33rd to 35th Street. The results were to be closely monitored to determine if the project was successful and should be extended.[130] Bloomberg also stated that he believed the street shutdown would make New York more livable by reducing pollution, cutting down on pedestrian-vehicle accidents, and helping traffic flow more smoothly through the Midtown street grid.[131]

The pedestrian plaza project was originally opposed by local businesses, who thought that closing the street to cars would hurt business.[132] The original seats put out for pedestrians were inexpensive multicolored plastic lawn chairs, a source of amusement to many New Yorkers; they lasted from the onset of the plaza transformation until August 14, 2009, when they were ceremoniously bundled together in an installation christened Now You See It, Now You Don't by the artist Jason Peters, and shortly afterward were replaced by sturdier metal furniture.[133] Although the plaza had mixed results on traffic in the area, injuries to motorists and pedestrians decreased, fewer pedestrians were walking in the road, and the number of pedestrians in Times Square increased.[134] On February 11, 2010, Bloomberg announced that the pedestrian plazas would become permanent.[135]

The city started rebuilding the plaza in 2010, hiring the design and landscaping firm Snøhetta to permanently replace Broadway's roadway with custom-made granite pavers and benches.[136] By December 2013, the first phase of the Times Square pedestrian plaza had been completed at the southern end of the square in time for the Times Square Ball drop on New Year's Eve.[137] The project was originally intended to be completed by the end of 2015.[137] The entire project was finally completed just before New Year's Eve 2016.[138] Some safety bollards were also installed as part of the renovation to prevent vehicular attacks or collisions on the sidewalk.[139] After a 2017 vehicle-ramming attack, there were calls to install more bollards along Times Square.[140]

Times Square's pedestrian plaza is frequented by topless women (with painted breasts) called "desnudas", as well as costumed characters, who typically panhandle for tips.[141] The pedestrian plaza became a source of controversy in the summer of 2015 because of a large number of complaints about the topless women and panhandling characters.[142] Although neither of these activities are illegal, opponents believed that the panhandlers' presence was detrimental to the quality of life in the area.[143] There were calls from Police Commissioner Bratton and Mayor Bill de Blasio to remove the plaza, although Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer opposed the proposal.[143] In June 2016, work started on "pedestrian flow zones" where no one was allowed to loiter, as well as "activity zones" where costumed characters were allowed to perform.[144]

Incidents

[edit]

There have been several incidents in Times Square:

  • On the morning of March 6, 2008, a small bomb caused minor damage, but there were no reported injuries.[145]
  • On May 1, 2010, Times Square was evacuated from 43rd to 46th Streets following the discovery of a car bomb. It was found to be a failed bombing.[146]
  • On May 18, 2017, a vehicle-ramming attack at Times Square killed one person and injured 22 others.[147][148]
  • On August 7, 2019, shortly after consecutive mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, a backfiring motorcycle resulted in a stampede due to the sound being mistaken for gunfire; the stampede injured at least twelve people.[149]
  • On May 8, 2021, a dispute between a group of men led to a shooting in which three bystanders were wounded, including a four-year-old girl.[150]
  • On June 27, 2021, a dispute between a group of street vendors led to a shooting in which a 21-year-old bystander was wounded.[151][152]
  • On December 31, 2022, a 19-year-old man from Maine injured three officers with the New York City Police Department in a machete attack that occurred during New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square.[153]
  • On February 8, 2024, a teenager shot and injured a Brazilian tourist, and he shot at a police officer and security guard after being confronted for shoplifting.[154] The shooter, a Venezuelan migrant, fled the area but was apprehended just outside the city.[155]
  • Shooting occurred at the intersection of West 44th Street and Seventh Ave., during 1:30 a.m. on August 9, 2025, wounding three; the attack occurred outside a Raising Cane's restaurant, and was possibly a verbal altercation escalating to gunshots. A teenager was among those wounded; no injuries were life-threatening, although they ranged from serious to lesser serious wounds. A 17-year-old was arrested and faces charges of attempted murder.[156]

Number of visitors

[edit]

Times Square is the most visited place globally with 360,000 pedestrian visitors a day, amounting to over 131 million a year.[157] As of 2013, it had a greater attendance than each of the Disney theme parks worldwide, with 128,794,000 visitors between March 2012 and February 2013, versus 126,479,000 for the Walt Disney World theme parks in Bay Lake, Florida, in 2012.[157][158] Even excluding residents from the visitor count, Times Square is the world's second most visited tourist attraction, behind the Las Vegas Strip.[159] The high level of pedestrian traffic has resulted in $4.8 billion in annual retail, entertainment, and hotel sales,[160] with 22 cents out of every dollar spent by visitors in New York City being spent within Times Square.[160][161]

New Year's Eve celebrations

[edit]
See also: Times Square Ball
The Times Square Ball in 2007

Times Square is the site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. About one million revelers crowd Times Square for the New Year's Eve celebrations, more than twice the usual number of visitors the area usually receives daily.[162] However, for the millennium celebration on December 31, 1999, published reports stated approximately two million people overflowed Times Square, flowing from Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue and back on Broadway and Seventh Avenue to 59th Street, making it the largest gathering in Times Square since August 1945 during celebrations marking the end of World War II.[163]

On December 31, 1907, a ball signifying New Year's Day was first dropped at Times Square,[164] and the Square has held the main New Year's celebration in New York City ever since. On that night, hundreds of thousands of people congregate to watch the Waterford Crystal ball being lowered on a pole atop the building, marking the start of the new year. It replaced a lavish fireworks display from the top of the building that was held from 1904 to 1906 but stopped by city officials because of the danger of fire. Beginning in 1908, and for more than eighty years thereafter, Times Square sign maker Artkraft Strauss was responsible for the ball-lowering. During World War II, a minute of silence, followed by a recording of church bells pealing, replaced the ball drop because of wartime blackout restrictions. Today, Countdown Entertainment and One Times Square handle the New Year's Eve event in conjunction with the Times Square Alliance.[164] A new energy-efficient LED ball debuted for the arrival of 2008, which was the centennial of the Times Square ball drop. The 2008–09 ball is larger and has become a permanent installation as a year-round attraction, being used for celebrations on days such as Valentine's Day and Halloween.[164]

The New Year's Eve celebrations are usually overseen by thousands of police officers. Aluminum barriers are erected to accommodate spectators; for the 2020 celebration, attended by a million people, barriers were erected from 38th to 59th Street and from Sixth to Eighth Avenue.[165] Typically, the celebrations create large amounts of waste. The waste includes the 3,000 pounds of biodegradable confetti dropped at midnight, a tradition of which started in 1992.[166] The New York City Department of Sanitation estimated that by 8 a.m. on New Year's Day 2014, it had cleared over 50 short tons (45 long tons; 45 t) of trash from the New Year's celebration, using 190 workers from their crews and the Times Square Alliance.[167]

Impact of COVID-19

[edit]
An empty Times Square in May 2020

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City during 2020 reduced the number of people traveling to Times Square. About 108,000 pedestrians visited Times Square each day in late 2020 compared to the 380,000 before the pandemic. From March to October 2020, 26 of the area's 46 hotels closed, as well as 39 of 151 stores and 84 of 162 restaurants.[168] Times Square was closed to the public for New Year's Day 2021 and observers were dispersed into enclosures measuring 8 by 8 ft (2.4 by 2.4 m).[165][169]

Notable landmarks

[edit]
The Paramount Building at 1501 Broadway, which once housed the Paramount Theatre
One Astor Plaza (1515 Broadway) is the headquarters of Paramount Global. It replaced the Astor Hotel in 1972, when Times Square redevelopment plans allowed oversized office towers if they included new theatres.[170]

Times Square is a busy intersection of art and commerce, where scores of advertisements – electric, neon and illuminated signs and "zipper" news crawls – vie for viewers' attention. Notable examples include:

Contemporary artists regularly perform on Times Square. Examples include test pattern [times square] by Ryoji Ikeda[176] and Continuum by Krista Kim.[177]

[edit]
Times Square looking north from 44th Street

An immediately recognizable location, Times Square has been featured countless times in literature, films, video games, music videos, and on television.

The seediness of the area was featured prominently in such films as Midnight Cowboy (1969),[178] Born to Win (1971),[179] and Taxi Driver (1976).[180] The area was shown in the 1980 film Times Square, which featured a punk rock/new wave soundtrack.[181] It was also depicted in the 2011 movie New Year's Eve.[182] The area also appeared on The Amazing Race as the starting location in a race around the world in the first episode of the show's 25th season,[183] as well as on the sixth season of the Israeli edition of The Amazing Race with teams finishing their second leg in Times Square.[184]

Times Square has been fictionally attacked and destroyed in several movies, including Knowing, when a solar flare destroys New York City;[185] Deep Impact, when a tsunami created from a meteor impact destroys New York City; the 1998 film Godzilla, where Godzilla is chased through Times Square; the Ghostbusters movies; Stephen King's The Stand, where the intersection is overcome by total anarchy; Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and 2012. It was also seen in the festival battle scene in the 2002 film Spider-Man, and a stand-off in the later film The Amazing Spider-Man 2.[186]

Films and TV shows have also employed the opposite tactic, depicting the typically bustling area as eerily still, such as in Vanilla Sky,[187] as well as the post-apocalyptic I Am Legend, in which Will Smith and his dog go hunting for deer in the deserted urban canyon.[185] In the pilot episode of the TV series Blindspot, Times Square is completely emptied due to an abandoned bag being suspected to be a bomb.[188]

Times Square also has featured prominently in video games. For instance, in Grand Theft Auto IV, a recreation of the Times Square area referred to in-game as "Star Junction", is included in the game's fictional "Liberty City" setting.[185] Times Square is also shown in Battlefield 3, where the final fight with the main antagonist takes place, where the player must stop him from detonating a nuclear bomb in the square; and Crysis 2, in which player must fight off attacking alien forces to assist U.S. Marines in evacuating the area.[189] Gran Turismo 4 also features Times Square both as a photo spot and as a part of the New York city circuit which also includes Central Park.

The northern part of Times Square in 2004 before reconstruction, with Two Times Square in the center

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Times Square

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Times Square is a bustling commercial intersection and entertainment district in , , formed by the convergence of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. Originally known as Longacre Square after London's carriage district, it was renamed Times Square in 1904 when Mayor honored the relocation of headquarters to the newly built at the site. The area encompasses to the north and extends southward, serving as a global symbol of urban energy through its dense concentration of illuminated digital billboards, theaters, and pedestrian activity. Renowned as the "," Times Square hosts over 40 Broadway theaters, drawing performers and audiences to its core entertainment hub, while generating substantial economic value from advertising revenues and tourism. Daily pedestrian traffic averages around 220,000, swelling to peaks of 330,000 on busy days, underscoring its role as one of the world's most visited public spaces. The district's transformation from a and center in the late to a neon-lit was accelerated by electric signage innovations and the rise of and legitimate theater, though it later endured periods of before revitalization efforts in the 1990s emphasized policing and zoning reforms to restore its commercial vitality. Key annual events, such as the ball drop from since 1907, amplify its cultural prominence, attracting massive crowds and broadcast audiences worldwide. Pedestrian plazas introduced in further enhanced accessibility, converting former traffic lanes into open spaces that prioritize foot traffic and street-level commerce. Despite its glamour, Times Square's high-visibility location has historically hosted vice and congestion challenges, addressed through targeted urban policies that balanced economic growth with public order.

Geography and Physical Layout

Location and Boundaries

Times Square occupies a central position in , , precisely at the intersection of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and West 42nd Street, where Broadway crosses Seventh Avenue at an acute angle, forming a distinctive bowtie-shaped plaza. This core area extends northward along Broadway to approximately West 47th Street, including the adjacent to the north. The site's geographic coordinates center around 40.7589°N, 73.9851°W. The broader Times Square district, managed as a by the nonprofit Times Square Alliance, spans from West 40th Street to West 53rd Street, bounded eastward by and westward by Eighth Avenue. This delineation encompasses over 39 theaters and numerous commercial establishments, with an extension to include historic Restaurant Row along West 46th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. These boundaries reflect the area's operational focus on , , and promotion rather than a rigid municipal definition, as variations exist in official mappings, such as slightly expanded zones in some city planning documents.

Infrastructure and Urban Design

Times Square's urban layout features the diagonal path of Broadway intersecting the orthogonal street grid at Seventh Avenue, forming a distinctive bowtie-shaped area between West 42nd and 47th Streets. This configuration, resulting from the grid's imposition on earlier irregular paths, creates multiple triangular blocks and wide intersections that accommodate heavy vehicular and pedestrian flows. Seventh Avenue serves as the primary north-south thoroughfare, while 42nd Street provides east-west connectivity, with traffic signals and crosswalks managing the convergence of routes in this high-density zone. Subsurface infrastructure centers on the Times Square–42nd Street station complex, a critical New York City Subway hub connecting the (1, 2, 3 trains), the (7 and <7> trains), the (N, Q, R, W trains), and the (S train), with passageways linking to the nearby station for A, C, and E trains. The complex handles massive daily ridership, underscoring its role in regional transit, though it has faced capacity constraints and accessibility challenges addressed in ongoing renovations like the 42nd Street Connection project, which includes new elevators and redesigned platforms. In response to chronic congestion and safety issues, the New York City initiated temporary closures of Broadway to vehicular traffic in May 2009, converting segments into pedestrian plazas using simple barriers and furnishings; prior to this, pedestrian-vehicle collisions in the area exceeded those on adjacent avenues by 137 percent. The experiment's success in boosting foot traffic and reducing incidents prompted a permanent redesign by Snøhetta, completed in phases by 2017, which carved out 2.5 acres of car-free space, added 110,000 square feet of pedestrian area, and incorporated custom paving, 50-foot benches, and activity zones. These modifications doubled open space, rearranged adjacent flows for efficiency, and yielded measurable gains, including a 40 percent drop in injuries and a 20 percent reduction in rates post-reconstruction. The design prioritizes durable, low-maintenance materials suited to intense use, while integrating digital billboards and lighting that define Times Square's visual identity without compromising spatial functionality.

Historical Development

Origins as Longacre Square (19th Century)

Longacre Square encompassed the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue near 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, an area that developed amid the city's northward expansion in the mid-19th century. Initially featuring sparse brownstone residences built by developers anticipating uptown growth, the district transitioned into a commercial zone as population and economic pressures pushed industry outward from Lower Manhattan. By the 1860s, light manufacturing, including wagon factories and harness shops, clustered along Broadway north of 42nd Street to serve the burgeoning demand for horse-drawn vehicles essential to urban transport. The name "Longacre Square," in use by the , directly referenced London's Long Acre district, a longstanding hub for carriage makers and traders since the . This analogy reflected New York's emulation of British commercial patterns, as the neighborhood became the epicenter of the American -and- trade, hosting stables, dealers, blacksmiths, and repair shops. The area's strategic location facilitated access to both markets and emerging residential zones further north, concentrating over 200 carriage-related businesses by the late and mirroring the specialized industrial districts that drove Manhattan's grid-based development. In the and , Longacre Square remained characterized by open lots amid drab apartments and trade-oriented structures, with the industry's dominance underscoring the era's reliance on equine power before widespread . Economic incentives, including lower costs compared to congested southern wards, attracted these enterprises, fostering a self-reinforcing cluster where proximity reduced transaction costs for buyers, sellers, and service providers. This phase laid the infrastructural groundwork for subsequent transformations, as the district's commercial vitality persisted even as technological shifts loomed.

Emergence as Theater and Commercial Hub (1900s–1930s)

The early 1900s marked the solidification of Times Square as New York City's premier theater district, with the Republic Theatre—built in 1900 by Oscar Hammerstein I on West 42nd Street—playing a key role in shifting focus from downtown venues to this uptown area. By the onset of World War I, most legitimate theaters had migrated to Times Square, facilitated by the opening of the IRT subway's Times Square station in 1904, which initially handled nearly 5 million passengers annually and enhanced accessibility. Between 1900 and 1928, approximately 80 theaters were constructed along Broadway from 39th to 54th Streets, concentrating live performances in the vicinity. The 1920s witnessed a construction boom, adding over 30 new theaters in the Times Square area amid rising demand for musicals and dramas. This theatrical expansion intertwined with commercial growth, as luxury hotels like the Astor and Knickerbocker opened to accommodate patrons, alongside upscale restaurants that catered to pre- and post-show crowds. accelerated the district's allure, dubbing it "The Great White Way" by 1907 for the blaze of electric marquees and signs illuminating Broadway. Commercial vibrancy intensified in the with proliferating illuminated billboards and neon displays, transforming the square into an advertising mecca; the 1928 debut of an electric on the Times Tower drew billions of viewers over time, underscoring its role as an information and entertainment nexus. The subway's expansion, combined with elevated trains and buses by the late , further entrenched Times Square as a transportation and commercial crossroads, supporting retail and hospitality enterprises that capitalized on theater-driven foot traffic.

Postwar Decline into Vice District (1940s–1970s)

Following World War II, Times Square transitioned into a "honky-tonk" district characterized by carnivalesque amusements, penny arcades, and increased erotic entertainment sought by soldiers on leave, which accelerated the influx of vice activities. Wartime construction restrictions and postwar economic pressures further eroded the area's legitimate theater scene, as many venues shifted to cheaper, bawdier forms of entertainment to survive. In the , despite zoning efforts to curb disreputable growth, Times Square saw rising , drug activity, and shows, with police graft enabling vice operations in brothels and theaters. By 1960, described 42nd Street as the city's "worst" block, marked by escalating street-level crime and the early proliferation of adult-oriented businesses. The brought legal changes that facilitated theaters, including relaxed laws and the 1968 introduction of X-rated films in Times Square venues. Peep shows and strip clubs expanded, transforming former legitimate theaters into pornographic outlets, with one notable example becoming the area's first dedicated porn theater in the early 1970s. By the 1970s, Times Square epitomized as a , lined with over a dozen adult theaters, sex shops, and establishments on 42nd Street alone, alongside rampant and drug trafficking. The area recorded the city's highest and net complaints by the late 1970s, reflecting broader surges driven by socioeconomic factors including population shifts and enforcement lapses. This concentration of illicit activities stemmed from failed regulatory attempts and economic incentives favoring low-rent over cultural redevelopment.

Revitalization and Redevelopment (1980s–1990s)

In the 1980s, mayors and initiated redevelopment efforts for , targeting Times Square's decay through zoning changes and incentives to replace adult entertainment venues with commercial and theatrical uses. On February 11, 1981, the 42nd Street Development Project was announced, aiming to transform the area's seedy reputation by restoring historic theaters and attracting investment amid high crime and urban blight. This $2.6 billion plan included tax abatements for developers to erect office towers and redevelop properties along 42nd Street, marking an early shift from vice to economic viability. The early 1990s saw acceleration via public-private partnerships, including the formation of the (now Times Square Alliance) in 1992, which coordinated sanitation, security, and marketing to foster business growth. A pivotal catalyst was the Company's 1993 signing of a for the , followed by a $36 million restoration completed by 1997, which symbolized a pivot toward family-oriented entertainment and lured other corporate tenants like . These efforts, building on planning, reduced peep shows and adult bookstores by over 80% through targeted enforcement and incentives, though critics noted displacement of vice rather than eradication. Mayor , taking office in 1994, amplified revitalization via "broken windows" policing under Commissioner , emphasizing misdemeanor arrests and quality-of-life offenses that correlated with a 50% drop in reported felonies citywide by 1998, including in Times Square. Combined with prior investments, these measures facilitated pedestrian plazas and retail influx, boosting daily foot traffic from under 20,000 in the late 1980s to over 300,000 by decade's end, though empirical analyses attribute success to multifaceted policies rather than any single administration.

Contemporary Transformations (2000s–Present)

In the 2000s, Times Square underwent further enhancements to its pedestrian infrastructure, building on revitalization efforts. In 2009, Mayor initiated the closure of Broadway to vehicular traffic between 42nd and 47th Streets, and between 47th and 51st Streets, creating open-air pedestrian plazas to prioritize foot traffic over cars. This experimental measure, aimed at reducing congestion and enhancing , was made permanent on February 11, 2010, following positive economic feedback including increased property values and retail activity. The redesign, executed by Snøhetta, removed outdated street elements and expanded usable pedestrian area by over 10,000 square feet, resulting in a 40% drop in pedestrian-vehicle collisions compared to pre-closure rates on adjacent avenues. Parallel to spatial changes, the district's visual landscape evolved with the proliferation of . The transition from static billboards to LED displays accelerated in the early 2000s, following the 1999 installation of the first major LED screen by , enabling dynamic, high-resolution advertising. By the , massive installations like the 2014 full-block digital screen and subsequent 3D LED spectacles transformed Times Square into a hub for immersive visual media, with companies such as upgrading older displays for brighter, more energy-efficient operations. exemplifies this shift, completing a 300-foot-long LED facade in the to support the annual ball drop and continuous advertising. Security infrastructure saw significant upgrades in response to specific threats. The failed 2010 attempt by prompted heightened NYPD vigilance, while the 2017 vehicle ramming attack—halted by existing bollards—accelerated the deployment of permanent barriers citywide to counter vehicular assaults. These measures, including reinforced posts and restricted access zones, balanced openness with protection against low-tech tactics observed globally post-2000. The disrupted Times Square's operations in 2020, emptying streets during lockdowns and slashing foot traffic by over 90% at peaks. Recovery has been gradual, with midtown areas like Times Square lagging at 33% below pre-pandemic levels by late 2023 due to trends and hesitancy, though holiday spending and seasonal jobs rebounded toward 2019 norms by 2024. Despite challenges, the district's adaptability—evident in sustained digital advertising revenue and event hosting—underscores its resilience as a commercial .

Economic Role and Visitor Dynamics

Annual and Daily Visitor Metrics

Times Square experiences substantial pedestrian traffic, serving as a key metric for visitor volume given its role as a commercial and hub. Pre-pandemic data from the Times Square Alliance reported an average of 360,000 pedestrians entering the area daily, implying an annual total exceeding 130 million passages through the district. This figure encompasses both tourists and local commuters, with estimates suggesting around 50 million annual visitors, many drawn by its theaters, billboards, and events. Daily metrics fluctuate by season, day of the week, and external factors. Peak periods, such as weekends and holidays, can see up to 450,000 pedestrians, while nighttime hours (7 p.m. to 1 a.m.) consistently exceed 85,000. Post-2020 recovery has shown variability: 2020 averages dropped to 125,000 daily amid restrictions, rising to approximately 283,000 in 2023—a 65% increase from 2021—and stabilizing at 218,000 in 2024, with December peaks reflecting holiday surges. These counts are derived from automated camera systems monitoring 35 locations in the Times Square Bowtie area.
YearAverage Daily PedestriansNotes
Pre-2020 (typical)360,000Busiest days up to 450,000
2020125,000 impact
2023283,00065% increase from 2021
2024218,0004.9% increase from 2023; strong end-of-year

Commercial Leasing and Revenue Generation

Times Square's commercial leasing encompasses high-value advertising displays, retail storefronts, and ancillary spaces, commanding premium rates due to the area's extreme visibility and foot traffic exceeding 280,000 daily visitors on average. and leases represent a primary , with annual expenditures in the district totaling approximately $69 million as of historical benchmarks, where individual prominent signs generate up to $200,000 monthly in rental fees from advertisers seeking millions of daily impressions. These rates reflect the causal link between Times Square's concentrated pedestrian density—often surpassing 460,000 on peak days—and the amplified for brands, estimated at 497% on average for campaigns, though actual revenue accrues to property owners and media firms leasing the facades. Retail leasing rates for ground-floor spaces in prime locations routinely exceed $2,000 per square foot annually, far outpacing Manhattan averages, as evidenced by sustained demand from flagship stores capitalizing on up to 420,000 daily passersby. Secondary or upper-level retail commands $500 to $1,200 per square foot yearly, with leasing volume rebounding post-pandemic; for instance, 26 new commercial leases were executed in the first half of 2025, up from 23 in the prior year's equivalent period, signaling robust recovery in tenant commitments. This activity underpins landlord revenues, indirectly bolstered by retail sales volumes such as the $191 million in Visa-processed transactions across Times Square merchants in Q1 2024 alone, a 32% year-over-year increase attributable to resurgence. Overall district revenue from these leases contributes to broader economic outputs, with billboard arrays alone historically yielding $60 million annually in aggregate rentals, though figures fluctuate with digital upgrades and event-driven spikes like , where ad placements exceed $20 million in a single night. Property assessments funneled to the Times Square Alliance, which oversees district improvements, totaled around $27 million in organizational revenue for 2024, partly derived from levies on leasable properties, enabling reinvestment that sustains leasing appeal. Empirical leasing trends underscore causal realism in : proximity to transport hubs and spectacle-driven crowds enforces inelastic demand for space, insulating rates against downturns observed elsewhere in retail.

Broader Economic Contributions to New York City

Times Square functions as a central catalyst for 's broader economy by concentrating high-volume pedestrian traffic that spills over into adjacent districts, fostering increased commercial activity in and beyond. A 2016 economic impact study commissioned by the Times Square Alliance quantified the district's direct economic output at $58 billion, with an additional $47 billion in indirect output stemming from effects, worker spending, and induced business activity. This combined impact accounted for roughly 15% of the city's total economic production at the time, despite Times Square encompassing just 0.1% of 's land area. Employment effects radiate outward, with the district sustaining approximately 180,000 jobs—nearly 10% of all positions in the city—including indirect roles in , manufacturing inputs for retail goods, and ancillary services like transportation and food supply. These figures reflect Times Square's role in anchoring a dense cluster of hotels, theaters, and offices that draw workers from across the , thereby circulating wages into residential neighborhoods and supporting fiscal stability through payroll taxes. The concentration of global brands and events in the area further amplifies job creation by attracting corporate relocations and investments that benefit peripheral sectors such as and media. Fiscal contributions include $2.5 billion in annual tax revenue to coffers, derived from sales taxes on visitor expenditures, property assessments on commercial real estate, and hotel occupancy levies, which help offset municipal costs for maintenance and public safety. International visitors, who exhibit spending patterns equivalent to four times that of domestic tourists per capita, enhance this multiplier effect by extending their stays and patronizing sites outside the district, thereby boosting overall receipts that reached $51 billion citywide in 2024. This outward ripple underscores Times Square's utility as a gateway that elevates the metropolitan economy's resilience against localized downturns.

Public Safety and Crime Patterns

In the late 1970s and 1980s, Times Square was a hub for vice crimes, with approximately 140 adult entertainment businesses operating in the area, facilitating widespread prostitution, drug sales, and related felonies. Prostitution arrests were commonplace, exemplified by NYPD operations targeting street-level activity, as crack cocaine exacerbated juvenile exploitation and open-air markets by the mid-1980s. Revitalization initiatives in the early 1990s, including zoning restrictions on adult uses and intensified enforcement, reduced these establishments to 36 by June 1994, directly curbing associated criminal activity. Felony rates in the Midtown South Precinct (NYPD's 14th Precinct), encompassing Times Square, declined sharply during the decade, with overall felonies dropping 51% from 1993 amid the introduction of data-driven policing and broken windows strategies under Rudolph Giuliani and . This mirrored and amplified citywide patterns, where fell more than 56% through the 1990s, exceeding national reductions and linked to increased police presence, higher arrest rates for misdemeanors, and incarceration. The trend persisted into the , with peep shows and sex shops largely eradicated by the early , further diminishing vice offenses. By the 2010s and into the 2020s, major crimes in Times Square reached near-record lows, with overall reported incidents down approximately 85% from 1990 peaks despite pandemic-era spikes in some categories like theft. NYPD data for the precinct show sustained reductions in robberies, assaults, and burglaries, supported by dedicated tourist safety units and private security from the , though quality-of-life issues occasionally resurface. This long-term trajectory transformed the district from a high-risk zone to one of New York City's safer commercial areas, with 2023 statistics reflecting levels not seen since before the decay.

Recent Statistics and NYPD Interventions (2020s)

In the Midtown South Precinct, which encompasses much of Times Square, reported felony assaults rose 66% from 2023 to 2024, while robberies increased 75% and burglaries 54% over the same period. As of early September 2024, year-to-date robberies in the area had surged more than 90% compared to 2023, with felony assaults also showing sharp gains amid a rebound in tourist foot traffic. These upticks contrasted with broader citywide declines in overall crime, highlighting localized pressures from transient populations and enforcement constraints, including officer shortages that hindered rapid response. Into 2025, total major in the precinct fell 9.16% year-to-date compared to the full 2024 tally, with robberies dropping 17%, though assaults edged up 2.1% and burglaries climbed 17.2%. Specific incidents underscored vulnerabilities: in 2024, NYPD investigations identified groups of migrant youth as perpetrators in nearly two dozen robberies and assaults near Times Square, prompting targeted probes into organized teen rings. Earlier, a July 2024 wave of unprovoked attacks—including a fatal near —drew heightened scrutiny, with officials announcing cleanup measures to address public safety lapses in the pedestrian plazas. NYPD responses intensified through specialized units. In April 2025, the department launched pilot Teams (Q-Teams) to handle non-emergency complaints like illegal vending, noise, and open drug use—issues chronically plaguing Times Square's open spaces—resulting in over 2,700 parking summonses and hundreds of arrests in initial tests. By July 2025, these teams expanded to all precincts, including Midtown South, aiming to restore order via proactive enforcement rather than reactive 911 responses, with officials crediting the initiative for faster nuisance abatement amid persistent quality-of-life deteriorations post-2020 policy shifts. Despite these efforts, critics noted ongoing challenges in staffing and , as low-level offenders often cycled back into the district's high-visibility environment.

Perceptions Versus Empirical Realities

Public perceptions of Times Square often emphasize heightened danger, particularly since 2020, driven by viral videos of random assaults, muggings of tourists, and visible disorder including , , and poor . High-profile incidents, such as a 2024 spate of slashings and robberies, have amplified fears, with 311 complaints about sanitation in the 10036 exceeding 2,800 from January 2022 to May 2025. These views are reinforced by media coverage and , contrasting sharply with the area's pre-1990s reputation as a vice-ridden zone but suggesting a reversal of post-revitalization gains. Empirical data from NYPD reveals a different picture: major felonies in the Midtown South precinct, encompassing Times Square, have declined overall since the peak, with violent crimes like and at near-historic lows as of 2023. For instance, most major crimes fell in 2024 despite isolated upticks—robberies rose 75%, burglaries 54%, and felony assaults 66% year-over-year in the area, yet total incidents remain far below 1990 levels when adjusted for visitor volume exceeding 50 million annually. NYPD Commissioner highlighted this disconnect in 2024, attributing perceptions to amplified visibility of quality-of-life issues rather than felony spikes. Contributing to the gap, policy shifts like New York's 2019 and reduced enforcement of misdemeanors have correlated with increased non-felony nuisances, such as by individuals with or substance issues, without proportionally elevating rates. The Times Square Alliance, partnering with over 160 NYPD officers including a Theater , reports effective deterrence through 24/7 patrols and canine units, maintaining rates low relative to pedestrian density. Citywide, Manhattan's 2019 rate of 4.57 per 1,000 residents underscores Times Square's relative when benchmarked against national averages. Thus, while perceptions reflect real frustrations with disorder, data affirm sustained improvements in core metrics amid high foot traffic.

Cultural Landmarks and Events

Iconic Structures and Attractions

Times Square's iconic structures encompass a mix of historic buildings, theatrical venues, and monumental signage that define its visual and cultural identity. Dominating the skyline is , a 25-story completed in 1904 at the intersection of Broadway and West 42nd Street, originally built as the headquarters for . The structure, measuring approximately 363 feet in height, features extensive advertising facades that have evolved from early electric signs to modern LED displays, generating substantial revenue through leasing. Currently under redevelopment, it is set to open to the public in late 2025 with an observation deck and interactive exhibits highlighting its role in celebrations. The Theater District within Times Square hosts dozens of Broadway theaters, serving as the epicenter of live stage productions since the early . Venues such as the Majestic Theatre (opened 1927, capacity 1,645 seats) and the (built 1910, seating 1,505) exemplify the architectural grandeur of the era, with ornate interiors designed for and musicals. Over 40 active Broadway theaters operate in the vicinity, drawing millions annually for performances that range from long-running hits to new works, contributing to the area's designation as a National Historic District. Prominent signage and public installations further enhance the district's allure. The TKTS booth, operated by Theatre Development Fund since 1973, occupies Duffy Square at Broadway and West 47th Street, offering same-day discounted tickets to Broadway shows from its distinctive red staircase structure, which seats up to 5,400 people during events. Historic billboards, like the Camel Cigarettes sign installed in 1941 atop the Claridge Hotel—depicting a man inhaling and exhaling smoke rings with steam effects—exemplified early 20th-century spectacle until its removal in 1966. Today, digital billboards cover building facades, with the first electrified advertisement appearing in coinciding with the subway's arrival, catalyzing the area's transformation into a commercial hub. These elements collectively sustain Times Square's status as a pedestrian-oriented zone, redesigned in the 2000s to prioritize plazas over vehicular traffic.

New Year's Eve Ball Drop and Annual Celebrations

The New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square originated in 1907, when Adolph Ochs, publisher of The New York Times, organized the event as a replacement for fireworks displays prohibited by new city ordinances aimed at reducing fire hazards. The inaugural drop occurred on December 31, 1907, featuring a 5-foot-diameter iron and wood ball, constructed by Ukrainian immigrant metalworker Jacob Starr, which descended from the roof of One Times Square one second after midnight to herald 1908. This tradition has continued annually since, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943, when wartime blackouts suspended the illuminated ceremony in compliance with national dim-out regulations. The contemporary ball drop forms the centerpiece of Times Square's annual New Year's Eve celebration, coordinated by the Times Square Alliance and broadcast nationally as Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on ABC since 1972. The event commences around 6:00 p.m. EST with the raising and lighting of the ball atop , followed by live musical performances, celebrity appearances, and hourly countdowns leading to the midnight descent. The ball lowers over 60 seconds along a 70-foot , synchronized with a digital countdown display visible to the crowd, culminating in a release from nearby rooftops containing wishes collected from participants. Technical evolution has transformed the ball from its rudimentary origins into a sophisticated geodesic sphere. The version used from 2008 to 2024 measured 12 feet in diameter, weighed 11,875 pounds, and incorporated 2,688 triangles illuminated by 32,256 LED lights capable of displaying over 16 million colors and billions of patterns. In a fifth redesign announced for late 2025, Waterford introduced a new featuring 5,280 handcrafted circular crystal discs in three sizes and patterns, emphasizing enhanced light refraction while maintaining the core structure for the December 31, 2025, drop. Attendance in Times Square typically draws an estimated 1 million revelers, confined by NYPD barricades and security protocols to ensure orderly viewing amid dense crowds spanning from 42nd to 47th Streets. For the 2024–2025 transition, approximately 1 million attendees persisted despite rain, reflecting the event's resilience to weather. Global television and streaming viewership exceeds 1 billion annually, underscoring its role as a synchronized marker of the Gregorian calendar's renewal. Times Square's vivid imagery of illuminated billboards, bustling crowds, and theatrical energy has cemented its status as a central motif in American media, symbolizing urban dynamism and commercial spectacle. Frequently depicted as the "," it represents New York City's aspirational allure in films, television, and , often contrasting glamour with underlying social realities. A landmark example is Alfred Eisenstaedt's photograph capturing a U.S. sailor kissing a nurse amid V-J Day celebrations on August 14, 1945, published in Life magazine on August 27, 1945. This image, embodying spontaneous relief at World War II's end, has permeated as an icon of victory and romance, influencing art, advertisements, and discussions of public emotion. In cinema, Times Square features prominently in portrayals of urban grit and fantasy. Martin Scorsese's (1976) showcases the area's 1970s decay, with protagonist navigating prostitution and violence under flashing neon signs, reflecting empirical rises in crime during that era. Later works like (2001) utilize hallucinatory crowd scenes in the square to evoke psychological disorientation, underscoring its role as a backdrop for existential themes. Television series such as have recurrently filmed episodes there, embedding the location in narratives of crime and justice. The ball drop, originating in 1907 atop , amplifies this influence through annual global broadcasts, drawing millions of viewers and symbolizing temporal transition. As Broadway's epicenter, Times Square inspires theatrical productions and musicals that draw on its vibrant milieu, while pioneering advertisements by innovators like O.J. Gude in the early shaped modern spectacle-driven marketing. These elements collectively position Times Square as a cultural touchstone, though media often amplifies its idealized energy over historical fluctuations in safety and commerce.

Controversies and Societal Debates

Redevelopment and Eminent Domain Disputes

In the 1980s, the New York State Urban Development Corporation (UDC), later known as the Empire State Development Corporation, initiated the 42nd Street Development Project to redevelop the blighted Times Square area between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, characterized by high concentrations of adult entertainment venues, prostitution, and violent crime. The plan involved using eminent domain to condemn approximately 40 properties, assembling land for mixed-use developments including office towers, hotels, and restored theaters under the umbrella of the Times Square Center. Proponents justified the takings on urban renewal grounds, citing the area's economic stagnation and public safety hazards, with property values depressed due to over 100 peep shows and sex shops operating in the vicinity by the mid-1980s. Property owners mounted significant legal resistance, filing nearly 50 lawsuits challenging the condemnations on grounds that the area did not meet statutory criteria and that primarily benefited private developers rather than serving a public purpose. Challenges included claims of inadequate compensation and procedural irregularities, such as rushed valuations that undervalued holdings; for instance, small family-owned businesses like Richards Sporting Goods (established 1946) and Bill's (established 1970) were evicted despite arguments that private market forces were already shifting investments away from vice. Courts largely upheld the UDC's authority under New York's laws, which permitted takings for in substandard districts, though the litigation delayed assembly of sites by years and inflated costs by tens of millions. Critics, including Rebecca Stern, the UDC official who oversaw the project, later contended that was superfluous and counterproductive, as voluntary private acquisitions by firms like Prudential Insurance were progressing without coercion, and government intervention displaced viable holdouts while subsidizing unviable mega-projects like the abandoned 45-story tower plans. Empirical outcomes post-litigation supported partial vindication of detractors: while the project facilitated Disney's theater restorations and contributed to a 90% drop in reported felonies by 2000 through changes that expelled vice operators, the core revival accelerated under Mayor Rudy Giuliani's broken-windows policing starting in 1994, independent of timelines. Subsequent for at 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue in the early 2000s echoed these disputes, with holdout owners receiving court-ordered payments exceeding initial offers after appeals. Overall, the disputes highlighted tensions between state-led assembly for scale and property rights, with Times Square's transformation yielding $4.5 billion in annual economic activity by 2010 but at the expense of over 2,000 displaced small enterprises.

Social Nuisances in Public Spaces

Times Square, as a high-density attracting over 300,000 visitors daily, experiences persistent social nuisances including aggressive solicitation by costumed performers, public sanitation issues linked to , and petty that detracts from its appeal as a . These problems, often amplified by the area's open plazas established in the early 2000s, have prompted repeated regulatory responses from city authorities, though enforcement challenges remain due to the volume of transient actors and visitors. Costumed street performers, such as those dressed as Elmo, Spider-Man, and Cookie Monster, have been a focal point of complaints since the mid-2010s, with reports of unwanted physical contact, aggressive demands for tips after unsolicited photos, and verbal confrontations. A 2019 survey commissioned by the Times Square Alliance found that one in five New Yorkers had been touched without consent by such entertainers, while incidents included a 2014 conviction of a Spider-Man performer for harassing a woman who refused to tip, and arrests for shoving children or yelling obscenities. In response, the New York City Council approved restrictions in April 2016, confining performers to designated "activity zones" in the pedestrian plazas and prohibiting roaming solicitation, following over 50 arrests in 2015 alone for related assaults and disruptions. Despite these measures, complaints persisted into 2019, with holiday-season reports of heightened aggression amid tourist crowds. Public sanitation nuisances, particularly urination and defecation in open areas, correlate with visible and the scarcity of restrooms in , where sees elevated 311 complaints for such issues. issued a record number of public urination summonses in recent years, rising from 746 between July 2020 and June 2021 to over 2,100 the following year, with accounting for the majority of citywide complaints since 2010; the area lacks sufficient facilities, with one public restroom per approximately 7,800 residents citywide. By May 2025, sanitation and -related disorder in had surged to levels unseen in over a decade, contributing to broader perceptions of declining order despite overall crime reductions elsewhere in the city. NYPD interventions, including increased patrols in the 14th Precinct, have targeted these visible disorders, but persistent gaps in shelter capacity and restroom infrastructure exacerbate the issues in this heavily trafficked corridor.

Recent Cultural Flashpoints (e.g., 2025 Statue Installation)

In April 2025, Times Square hosted a temporary installation of "Grounded in the Stars," a 12-foot by British artist Thomas J. Price depicting an anonymous young woman in a contemplative pose, placed in from April 29 to June 14. The artwork, part of the Times Square Arts program, aimed to reimagine by emphasizing everyday dignity and inclusivity, with the figure clad in contemporary and gazing upward. The installation quickly ignited online and media debates, drawing accusations of racial essentialism from critics who argued it prioritized identity over artistic merit or historical significance, portraying an ordinary figure as a monumental subject in a space traditionally reserved for icons like . Conservative commentators, including those on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), labeled it emblematic of "" cultural decay, claiming it celebrated mediocrity and diverted public resources from more unifying or achievement-based representations amid ongoing urban challenges like and in Times Square. Supporters, including arts advocates, defended it as a bold challenge to Eurocentric monument traditions, arguing the backlash revealed underlying racial biases rather than substantive flaws in the work. This flashpoint echoed broader 2025 tensions in New York public art, where initiatives for diversity often clashed with demands for fiscal restraint and cultural cohesion, especially as Times Square's management balanced tourism appeal with security amid rising incidents of public disorder. The sculpture's removal in mid-June without formal intervention underscored the transient nature of such installations, yet the discourse persisted in highlighting fractures over representation in high-visibility civic spaces.

References

  1. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-alliance/history
  2. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/
  3. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/business-community/advertisement-sponsorships
  4. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/business-community/market-research-data
  5. https://www.latlong.net/place/times-square-nyc-usa-7560.html
  6. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/explore/getting-around-and-parking
  7. https://www.nyc-arts.org/organizations/times-square-alliance/
  8. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/01/nyregion/where-exactly-is-times-square-its-complicated.html
  9. https://divisare.com/projects/343169-snohetta-times-square
  10. https://www.mta.info/project/42-st-connection
  11. https://www.bechtel.com/projects/times-square-subway-reconstruction/
  12. https://urbanland.uli.org/infrastructure-transit/battle-new-times-square
  13. https://www.archdaily.com/465343/nyc-s-times-square-becomes-permanently-pedestrian
  14. https://www.snohetta.com/projects/times-square
  15. https://www.designtrust.org/projects/times-square/
  16. https://ny.curbed.com/2017/4/19/15358234/times-square-snohetta-before-after-photos
  17. https://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2024/08/when-longacre-square-became-times-square-before-bright-lights-and-broadway.html
  18. https://savejersey.com/2014/12/history-times-square-new-york/
  19. https://thegildedhour.com/longacre-square-2/
  20. https://www.untappedcities.com/today-in-nyc-history-in-1904-longacre-square-renamed-times-square/
  21. https://classicnewyorkhistory.com/history-of-times-square-in-new-york-city/
  22. https://www.urbanarchive.org/stories/qjgTZaDzSdE
  23. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/explore/history-of-theater-district
  24. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/drama-and-theater-arts/new-york-theater-and-broadway
  25. https://www.musicals101.com/bwaythhist4.htm
  26. https://www.history101.nyc/places/times-square
  27. https://www.untappedcities.com/times-squares-honky-tonk/
  28. https://www.nypl.org/blog/2015/01/12/changing-times-square
  29. https://ny.curbed.com/2019/4/25/18306448/times-square-new-york-peep-show-history
  30. https://www.facebook.com/groups/347911852086113/posts/2455610764649534/
  31. https://www.stagingdecadence.com/blog/times-squares-theatre-of-sex
  32. https://www.untappedcities.com/gritty-old-times-square-2/
  33. https://www.nydailynews.com/2021/08/23/peep-shows-porn-theaters-and-sex-workers-of-1970s-and-1980s-times-square/
  34. https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoryPorn/comments/vhhdav/adult_theaters_on_42nd_st_times_square_new_york/
  35. https://www.mcny.org/story/dazzling-dirty-and-back-again-brief-history-times-square
  36. https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/time-square-depravity-photos-1970s-1980s/
  37. https://welcome-to-times-square.com/history-of-times-square/
  38. https://www.untappedcities.com/today-in-nyc-history-times-square-turns-the-corner-in-1981/
  39. https://www.city-journal.org/article/the-unexpected-lessons-of-times-squares-comeback
  40. https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66164ec19113caaa1f66178a/670fd4df6b774311552db7e4_20Years20Principles_IDA_2013.pdf
  41. https://jimhillmedia.com/looking-back-on-why-the-walt-disney-company-decided-to-restore-the-new-amsterdam-theater-in-nyc/
  42. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-giuliani-really-clean-up-times-square/
  43. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/giuliani-administration-transforms-new-york-city
  44. https://archive.nytimes.com/roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/pedestrian-malls-back-to-the-future/
  45. https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2013/01/bloomberg-the-pedestrian-plazas-are-here-to-stay-006838
  46. http://world-architects.com/nl/snohetta-oslo/project/times-square-reconstruction
  47. https://clearchanneloutdoor.com/blog/how-times-square-billboards-shaped-modern-advertising/
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CytzBa-rmVw
  49. https://www.daktronics.com/en-us/markets/commercial/spectaculars/times-square
  50. https://www.fbi.gov/history/artifacts/alarm-clocks-from-2010-times-square-bombing-attempt
  51. https://www.securityindustry.org/2017/05/24/sia-member-saves-lives-calpipe-bollards-halted-times-square-rampage/
  52. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/nyregion/times-square-attack-bollards-planning.html
  53. https://www.morganlegalny.com/times-square-drastic-effects-of-the-pandemic/
  54. https://nypost.com/2023/11/05/metro/midtown-lower-manhattan-still-suffering-from-one-of-worst-post-covid-recovery-rates-in-us-survey/
  55. https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2024/12/mayor-adams-releases-new-analysis-showing-post-covid-recovery-holiday-spending-job-creation
  56. https://edc.nyc/press-release/mayor-adams-releases-new-analysis-showing-post-covid-recovery-holiday-spending
  57. https://www.nyc-timessquare.org/do-business/market-research-data/pedestrian-counts.html
  58. https://www.mrisoftware.com/resources/times-square-alliance/
  59. https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66164ec19113caaa1f66178a/6807eed019c52e15b196279d_TSA_Annual%2520Report_2025_websize.pdf
  60. https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66164ec19113caaa1f66178a/6807edabf14964d9dcaccea9_TSA_Annual%2520Report_2024_websize.pdf
  61. https://www.quora.com/How-much-advertising-is-spent-in-Times-Square-per-day
  62. https://timessquarebillboard.com/blog/roi-of-billboard-advertising-how-to-measure-success/
  63. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retailers-lining-spend-fortune-presence-times-square-154010405.html
  64. https://www.retail-officespace.com/times-square-retail-space-for-rent/
  65. https://assets.ctfassets.net/6zi14rd5umxw/20AGc8aP63alblLqnJfai2/17271c529f9c80e3a556bc45c05665af/REBNY_2024_Report_ManhattanRetail_H1-24_v04.pdf
  66. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/evolution-times-square-advertising-growtal
  67. https://dashtwo.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-advertising-times-square-on-nye/
  68. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133627527
  69. https://www.rebny.com/press-release/report-h2-2024-manhattan-retail-performance-boosted-by-healthy-jobs-market/
  70. https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66026f9a23bc03c74d23035a/6706c5515821517833734a61_EconomicImpact1pager2016.pdf
  71. https://www.hraadvisors.com/portfolio/times-square/
  72. https://timessquarebillboard.com/blog/times-square-demographics-who-really-visits-the-crossroads/
  73. https://www.townofnewburghny.gov/uppages/NY_TIMES_SQUARE_1994.PDF
  74. https://www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/times-square-good-times-square-bad
  75. https://www.city-journal.org/article/reimagining-times-square
  76. https://www.nber.org/digest/jan03/what-reduced-crime-new-york-city
  77. https://welcome-to-times-square.com/is-times-square-safe/
  78. https://pix11.com/news/local-news/manhattan/crime-on-decline-in-times-square-but-nyc-officials-still-working-to-change-perceptions/
  79. https://www.gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/how-safe-is-times-square-it-depends-on-who-you-ask
  80. https://themidtowngazette.com/2024/10/nypd-struggles-to-stop-crime-in-times-square/
  81. https://nypost.com/2024/09/15/us-news/violent-crime-up-in-bustling-nyc-tourist-hub-no-matter-how-mayor-adams-spins-it/
  82. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs-en-us-014pct.pdf
  83. https://abc7ny.com/post/nypd-says-migrant-children-behind-several-violent-crimes-times-square/15432062/
  84. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/04/nyregion/crime-times-square-nyc.html
  85. https://www.police1.com/nypd-expands-quality-of-life-pilot-program-citywide-to-tackle-daily-nuisances
  86. https://news.yahoo.com/nypd-quality-life-teams-expand-094058582.html
  87. https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2025/08/mayor-adams-and-nypd-commissioner-tisch-expand-quality-of-life-t
  88. https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/how-safe-is-times-square-it-depends-on-who-you-ask
  89. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-is-nyc-safe-crime-stat-reality/
  90. https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/crime-statistics/citywide-crime-stats.page
  91. https://compstat.nypdonline.org/
  92. https://www.cityguideny.com/article/is-times-square-safe
  93. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nyc-grapples-crime-concerns-police-commissioner-says-safety-perception-rcna146904
  94. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-alliance/advocacy-agenda
  95. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/business-community/sanitation-public-safety
  96. https://www.tsiglerlaw.com/blog/manhattan-crime-rate/
  97. https://onetimessquare.com/
  98. https://www.jamestownlp.com/properties/one-times-square
  99. https://www.nyctourism.com/attractions-tours/one-times-square/
  100. https://newyorkyimby.com/2025/08/1-times-square-prepares-for-fall-opening-in-times-square-manhattan.html
  101. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/explore/broadway
  102. https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/venues/broadway
  103. https://www.tdf.org/discount-ticket-programs/tkts-by-tdf/
  104. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/retail/tkts-times-square
  105. https://www.signs.com/blog/times-square-signage-through-the-years/
  106. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye-history-times-square-ball
  107. https://www.balldrop.com/article/history-of-times-square-ball-drop
  108. https://timessquareball.net/ball-history/
  109. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye-live
  110. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye-landing
  111. https://timessquareball.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TS2022_Ball_Fact_Sheet_10-04-2021.pdf
  112. https://people.com/times-square-new-years-eve-ball-replaced-for-the-fifth-time-in-history-exclusive-11835123
  113. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/waterford-returns-as-the-official-crystal-of-the-times-square-new-years-eve-ball--one-times-square-reveals-early-look-at-new-ball-design-302593157.html
  114. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/live-new-years-eve-times-square-ball-drop-2025/
  115. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/01/01/new-year-times-square-2025-ball-drop-recap/5331735743478/
  116. https://newyorkspaces.com/the-significance-of-new-yorks-times-square-in-popular-culture/
  117. https://www.life.com/history/v-j-day-kiss-times-square/
  118. https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2019/02/a-sailor-a-nurse-and-a-kiss-on-v-j-day/
  119. https://maycausewanderlust.com/movies-new-york/
  120. https://onthesetofnewyork.com/mostpopulartimesquare.html
  121. https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=Times%2520Square%252C%2520Manhattan%252C%2520New%2520York%2520City%252C%2520New%2520York%252C%2520USA
  122. https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-man-who-invented-times-square-o-j-gude-and-the-birth-of-the-spectacular/
  123. https://ij.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/stern-perspective2.pdf
  124. https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1587&context=pelr
  125. https://www.city-journal.org/article/theyre-taking-away-your-property-for-what
  126. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/24/arts/design/times-square-grand-central-tour.html
  127. https://www.facebook.com/groups/347911852086113/posts/2982762585267680/
  128. https://ij.org/press-release/the-truth-about-times-square-eminent-domain-impeded-times-squareacanacs-revival-says-man-who-oversaw-government-plan/
  129. https://ij.org/ll/the-truth-about-times-square-2/
  130. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/nyregion/04square.html
  131. https://www.albanygovernmentlawreview.org/api/v1/articles/23827-the-trouble-with-eminent-domain-in-new-york.pdf
  132. https://www.nyc.gov/html/law/downloads/pdf/ar032805.pdf
  133. https://www.pps.org/article/times-square-debate-lays-bare-the-importance-of-proactive-public-space-management
  134. https://www.architectmagazine.com/Design/times-square-and-the-reality-of-public-spaces_o
  135. https://nypost.com/2019/09/09/times-squares-creepy-costumed-characters-are-out-of-control-survey/
  136. https://www.reddit.com/r/atlanticdiscussions/comments/d865r7/costumed_characters_keep_manhandling_tourists_in/
  137. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/spider-man-brawl-man-times-square-cellphone-video/935861/
  138. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/nyregion/new-york-council-votes-to-allow-restrictions-on-times-square-performers.html
  139. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-rules-imposed-for-times-square-characters/
  140. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/costumed-performers-get-aggressive-in-times-square-over-holidays
  141. https://nypost.com/2025/09/23/us-news/nyc-has-more-than-a-wee-bit-of-a-problem-as-public-urination-tickets-gush-to-record-highs-report/
  142. https://www.crainsnewyork.com/special-features/no-place-go-public-bathrooms-nyc
  143. https://council.nyc.gov/press/2025/04/10/2831/
  144. https://www.timessquarenyc.org/tsq-arts-projects/grounded-in-the-stars
  145. https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/this-giant-bronze-statue-of-a-woman-was-just-installed-in-the-middle-of-times-square-050525
  146. https://www.thomasjprice.com/times-square-arts
  147. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/29/thomas-j-price-monumental-sculpture-times-square
  148. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/18/nyregion/times-square-black-woman-statue.html
  149. https://www.governing.com/politics/what-a-controversial-statue-says-about-race-in-2025
  150. https://www.bet.com/article/ajdkbo/12-foot-bronze-statue-of-black-woman-sparks-debate-in-times-square
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.