Streetsblog had a write up today about the new Times Square which I wrote about earlier with photos from the NY Times but I can never get enough of streets being turned over to the pedestrian realm. The opening from Streetsblog is perfect:

“I’ve lived in New York City for just about twenty years now but yesterday was my first trip to Times Square. Sure, I’ve been to Times Square before. Plenty of times. But until yesterday Times Square had never ever been a destination for me. Rather, it had always been a place to avoid or, if unavoidable, a place to get in and out of as fast as possible on my way to somewhere else.”

Now, the famous spot in New York City has become a true destination, a place for people to make it the space it should be…a square. And you know something is a good thing when even residents who typically avoid the space, are getting out to see and enjoy it. Even though this is only the beginning and the space consists of little more than open concrete and temporary seatng, it’s an amazing feat to turn the space over to the people and will only be the beginning. Personally I like the random temporary furnishings overtop the old street. It looks like a take over and it’s like people are getting to do something almost a little naughty, the thing Mom’s across the country always tell the kids not to do….playing in the street!

It went from a honking bad house to an intimate plaza where people feel comfortable throwing out a lawn chair and chilling out under the neon signs, chatting with neighbors and allowing themselve to relax in an otherwise chaotic city. New York City sees this effort as not only the beginning of one space, but the start of what will hopefully turn into a nationwide phenomenon where others rethink their urban spaces and what it means to have a more sustainable and vibrant city.

The most amazing though is what something like this does for people’s spirit and sense of pride. Suddenly Times Square wasn’t a place to be avoided but a place to go and all over the internet people are shouting for joy about the new square. Native New Yorkers are flocking to the space and proclaiming how proud they are to be a part of a city that understands the need for simple human interaction and the important role this plays in the lives of healthy and happy people. And it’s obvious by the turnout that people are craving this type of outdoor space.

Below is a photo of Times Square before the closure. It doesn’t look comfortable for the people or the cars. What a difference…

images via nickdigital