New York Broadway Plaza, Proposed pedestrian transit mall, Times Square : environmental impact statement.

Times Square, New York City, New YorkComplete

The Broadway Plaza project proposed transforming a section of Broadway in Times Square, New York City, into a pedestrian and transit mall. The plan involved closing Broadway to vehicular traffic between 45th and 48th Streets, creating pedestrian plazas, and enhancing transit access. The goal was to improve pedestrian safety, boost tourism, and encourage business investment in the area. While the project promised long-term benefits like increased pedestrian space and economic revitalization, it also faced concerns about increased traffic congestion and air pollution on nearby streets.

Year

1980

Department

United States. Urban Mass Transportation Administration

Historical Context

The Broadway Plaza project was proposed to enhance the pedestrian experience in Times Square, aiming to create a safer and more inviting environment for tourists and locals alike. While the initiative received support for its potential to revitalize the area, there was public concern regarding the impact on traffic and air quality in surrounding neighborhoods. Ultimately, the project was implemented, leading to significant changes in the streetscape of Times Square.

Notable Quotes

"The no build alternative would prevent violation of tax payers rights to our inalienable property and a land grab by current administration; it saves $6.86m and allows suggested minimal changes, will not involve any irreversible and irretrievable commitments, but grant continuum of Tourism as a flourishing and growing security." — Mrs. Lynne Grey, ATS-Virgo Task Force
"The proposed redesign of the Broadway/Seventh Avenue corridor will significantly improve accessibility in the corridor's lower segment, but it fails to mention that the corridor through Times Square - currently 64 feet wide - will be physically reduced to 60 feet and traffic will be prohibited from one lane which will be reserved for transit vehicles." — Automobile Club of New York

Key People and Groups

Urban Mass Transportation Administration
City of New York
Office of the Mayor
Department of Transportation
Department of City Planning

Attribution: Materials published by the U.S. Government Printing Office are in the public domain and, as such, not subject to copyright restriction. However, the Libraries request users to cite the URL and Northwestern University Libraries if they wish to reproduce images from this site.

Themes

Transportation Infrastructure

View original in Northwestern Digital Collections ↗