April 19, 2017

Times Square Celebrates Official Spring Opening of New Pedestrian Plazas

Plans announced for new NYC-based programming featuring design, public art, food, & entertainment
Today, the Times Square Alliance in New York City celebrated the grand opening of the Times Square pedestrian plazas with the announcement of new and enhanced programming for the spaces. The new plazas and extended sidewalks add 110,000-square-feet of new pedestrian space to Times Square, transforming the area from one of New YorkÕs most notoriously congested spaces into a radically open civic square.

To take advantage of these new public spaces, and add to the excitement and vibrancy of Times Square, the Times Square Alliance has developed a programming plan including arts, music, entertainment, food, and more Ð which will enliven the area for the hundreds of thousands of people that pass through the plazas daily.

ÒThese completed plazas, and our plans for them, will allow Times Square to be a hub that captures and celebrates New York CityÕs culture, in every sense of that word: our artistic and creative culture, our popular culture, and our diverse cultures,Ó said Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance. ÒWe want these plazas to be a place by, of and for New Yorkers, that we can then share proudly with the rest of the world.Ó

"Times Square will always be the Crossroads of the World, and today's announcement cements its position as one of the greatest public spaces in the City of New York," said Council Member Dan Garodnick. "110,000 square feet of pedestrian plazas goes a long way towards creating a more open, vibrant, and safe Times Square for both visitors and New Yorkers alike."

ÒThe redesign of Times Square was from the ground up and completely rebuilt the infrastructure in the area, adding to the new pedestrian plazas electrical access and other conveniences that make it easier to stage live performances and events,Ó said Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Feniosky Pe–a-Mora. ÒThis project is a major element of the history of Times Square, the most iconic pedestrian plaza in the world, and we are very pleased with the publicÕs reaction to the expanded space and new features.Ó

ÒWhen people think of New York City, Times Square is one of the first places that comes to mind, and this new pedestrian plaza helps bring the neighborhood together,Ó said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. ÒVibrant, active public spaces strengthen our communities and make them a real destination. We are proud to partner with the Times Square Alliance and support what is truly world-renowned work.Ó

"Our public plazas provide the perfect stage upon which we can share and celebrate our city's artistic creativity, and Local 802 is glad to partner with Times Square Alliance this spring and summer to showcase the virtuosity and energy that Broadway musicians to the area every day," said Tino Gagliardi, President, Local 802 American Federation of Musicians. "By using musicians from Broadway, New Yorkers and visitors in Times Square will hear performers who come from across the globe and play music of all styles and techniques - a fact that is emblematic of the district's status as the Crossroads of the World. We are thrilled that these live musical performances will be done under a contract that guarantees fair pay and treatment of musicians, and we thank the Times Square Alliance for helping to bring the magic of live music to the streets of Times Square."


Copyright 2017 Times Square Alliance. All rights reserved. From http://www.timessquarenyc.org.

To view all articles, check out the Internet Travel Monitor Archive