Times Square pedestrian plaza is here to stay

City Hall task force to propose designated area for Desnudas, costumed characters

Times Square pedestrian plaza (credit: Steven Pisano/Flickr) and Mayor Bill de Blasio
Times Square pedestrian plaza (credit: Steven Pisano/Flickr) and Mayor Bill de Blasio

Don’t worry. The aggressive naked ladies and off-brand cartoon characters of Times Square aren’t going anywhere.

A City Hall task force will not recommend reopening Times Square to vehicle traffic, instead suggesting a number of other steps, including keeping Desnudas and other colorful panhandlers in a designated area.

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Officials also propose forbidding streetVending On 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues to make more room for pedestrians. They would also add more traffic-enforcement agents and crossing guards, as well as limit permitting of street fairs, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Mayor Bill de Blasio floated the idea of eliminating the pedestrian plaza back in August. The suggestion was met with widespread condemnation. [WSJ]  – Ariel Stulberg