In this six-minute video from the New York Times, past residents and developers describe how Times Square was transformed from “the sleaziest block in America” to the corporate palace that it is today. Thanks to Dmitriy T.M. for the submission!
In this six-minute video from the New York Times, past residents and developers describe how Times Square was transformed from “the sleaziest block in America” to the corporate palace that it is today. Thanks to Dmitriy T.M. for the submission!
Comments 6
Molly W. — December 17, 2010
Samuel R. Delany's "Times Square Red, Times Square Blue" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square_Red,_Times_Square_Blue) is an interesting memoir/economic analysis/critique of the "rebirth" of Times Square.
Maria — December 17, 2010
i don't now why, but i get nostalgic about sleazy times square. i wasn't alive when it was in full swing, and i vaguely remember going past it on a tour when it was just starting to get "rennovted", but i did a lot of research on exploitation movies for an exhibit a few years ago, and it struck me as such a "human" place. not "humane" mind you, but an in your face, "here, look at us, you can't hide us: people have sex, people do drugs, there's violence and vice in the world". with the "Disney-fication", i feel like the world is just kidding itself, pretending that those things don't happen. changing times square and 42nd street didn't stop anything, it just moved it to new places- like the internet.
Rachael — December 18, 2010
I suppose that improving the overall safety of Times Square is a good thing.
But I can't help but wonder about the fates of those drug addicts, sex workers, and teenage runaways mentioned in the video. Was anything done to help them?