Less than a half-block from the annual New Year`s Eve festivities, along West 42d Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, lies perhaps the most dangerous block in New York City.
Pornography shops, con artists, seedy theaters and ladies of the evening have combined to transform this area adjacent to the Broadway theater district into a crime den. Last year 2,246 crimes were committed in that one block alone; 20 percent were murders, rapes, robberies or other assaults.
But the new year is supposed to bring about the beginning of a new Times Square. After fighting more than 40 lawsuits over the last five years, developers won yet another major legal victory this month.
That cleared the way for the $2.5 billion redevelopment of the square. When completed in 1995, West 42d Street might become as beautiful as the ceremonies that usher in each new year.
``By restoration of the theaters, the development of office space, of hotel space and retail space and the merchandise mart, we`ll bring different kinds of people there,`` said Brian Kell, a spokesman for the 42d Street Development Project.
...These days, tourists visiting Times Square might find it difficult to imagine what the area looked like when Fred and Adele Astaire, Noel Coward, John Barrymore, the Marx Brothers and George and Ira Gershwin all ``played Broadway.``
Now, visitors are treated to establishments advertising ``girls in private fantasy booths.`` In between the clothing stores and electronic outlets along the strip are promotions for X-X-X rated movies, peep shows and ``live nude reviews.``
Almost any drug can be purchased on the street. Addicts and homeless people often stand on the pavement and stare into space.
...``Times Square is a jumble of everything you`d imagine in a big city: a lot of lights, a lot of advertisements, public places, different kinds of characters and the warning to hold on to your wallet,`` said Judy Simmons, feature editor of Ms. magazine, which has its office on Times Square.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-12-31/news/8903220241_1_times-square-four-new-office-buildings-broadway-theater-district
No comments:
Post a Comment