Comments on: Midtown’s Mini-Plaza http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Adam Piontek http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3546 Adam Piontek Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:24:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3546 I've passed this spot a few times and I've always liked it - it gives me a positive feeling and pleases my eye. But it is pretty subjective, huh... I’ve passed this spot a few times and I’ve always liked it – it gives me a positive feeling and pleases my eye. But it is pretty subjective, huh…

]]> By: futurebird http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3484 futurebird Sun, 10 Sep 2006 20:58:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3484 8th Ave and 33rd? That's the one! The last time I checked was about a year ago and they had fences up to stop "terror" maybe they've taken them down. 8th Ave and 33rd? That’s the one!

The last time I checked was about a year ago and they had fences up to stop “terror” maybe they’ve taken them down.

]]> By: ddartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3366 ddartley Sat, 09 Sep 2006 14:03:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3366 Futurebird: what post office are you talking about? 8th Ave and 33rd? Is there still construction going on on that side of the building? If not, then it's a real shame if people are not allowed to sit there. I'd like to find out who is enforcing that rule and ask them to relent. I'm in Philadelphia this weekend, and from the admittedly very little I've seen so far, NY friends, they're well ahead of us in terms of "liveable streets." And like my impression of Philly in 1993 (last time I was here), the drivers are SANE. Futurebird: what post office are you talking about? 8th Ave and 33rd? Is there still construction going on on that side of the building? If not, then it’s a real shame if people are not allowed to sit there. I’d like to find out who is enforcing that rule and ask them to relent.

I’m in Philadelphia this weekend, and from the admittedly very little I’ve seen so far, NY friends, they’re well ahead of us in terms of “liveable streets.” And like my impression of Philly in 1993 (last time I was here), the drivers are SANE.

]]> By: Glenn http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3363 Glenn Sat, 09 Sep 2006 12:55:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3363 Sure, I can see that. I certainly like big grand open spaces like the steps of the Met. I guess the problem with that area is that it's a little too small for that. But I like it's funky-ness in the midst of all the serious business-folks. One block over between Second and Third Ave is Dag Hammerskjold Plaza, which has a bit more grandeur to it. Unfortunately they have closed off UN Park which was my absolute favorite place to eat lunch outdoors in the area. I guess it takes all types... Sure, I can see that. I certainly like big grand open spaces like the steps of the Met.

I guess the problem with that area is that it’s a little too small for that. But I like it’s funky-ness in the midst of all the serious business-folks.

One block over between Second and Third Ave is Dag Hammerskjold Plaza, which has a bit more grandeur to it. Unfortunately they have closed off UN Park which was my absolute favorite place to eat lunch outdoors in the area.

I guess it takes all types…

]]> By: futurebird http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3361 futurebird Sat, 09 Sep 2006 12:41:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3361 Glenn, you must have misread my comment... I don't like this little plaza... it's just too wierd. But, if these kinds of places were all the same, I guess it'd be too monotonous. What I feel NYC needs more of are public spaces that are grand and elegant. Like the esplanade in Battery Park City, Bryant Park, the steps of the Met, and Grand Central. Before they started stopping people from resting on the steps, the old post office and the court house worked in this way. Of course when modern architect say "plaza" they often mean... "empty wind-swept place of vacancy" and this little spot, at least avoids that error. But I have to say it is pretty junky, especially for midtown. Glenn, you must have misread my comment… I don’t like this little plaza… it’s just too wierd. But, if these kinds of places were all the same, I guess it’d be too monotonous.

What I feel NYC needs more of are public spaces that are grand and elegant. Like the esplanade in Battery Park City, Bryant Park, the steps of the Met, and Grand Central.

Before they started stopping people from resting on the steps, the old post office and the court house worked in this way.

Of course when modern architect say “plaza” they often mean… “empty wind-swept place of vacancy” and this little spot, at least avoids that error. But I have to say it is pretty junky, especially for midtown.

]]> By: Glenn http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3360 Glenn Sat, 09 Sep 2006 12:32:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3360 Thanks for everyone's comments - aside from a small reminder to not trip over the sloped sidewalk, it seems like everyone likes this one. I encourage folks to send in their own photos of their favorite pedestrian friendly scenes to Streetsblog. Thanks for everyone’s comments – aside from a small reminder to not trip over the sloped sidewalk, it seems like everyone likes this one.

I encourage folks to send in their own photos of their favorite pedestrian friendly scenes to Streetsblog.

]]> By: Annon Y. Mouse http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3349 Annon Y. Mouse Sat, 09 Sep 2006 03:39:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3349 One of the few places in NYC where it feels a little like Portland, OR. One of the few places in NYC where it feels a little like Portland, OR.

]]> By: futurebird http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3323 futurebird Fri, 08 Sep 2006 19:07:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3323 That place makes me feel like I'm in the village. It looks like one of frank gehry's student projects from undergrad. That place makes me feel like I’m in the village. It looks like one of frank gehry’s student projects from undergrad.

]]> By: Glenn http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3308 Glenn Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:39:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3308 Yes, I believe it's Third and 48th. It's a great little imaginative use of public space. It sure beats the conventional concrete and steel benches. This has a much warmer feeling. And it really helps that it is shaded by a canopy. I once ate my lunch under that when it was lightly raining. Yes, I believe it’s Third and 48th. It’s a great little imaginative use of public space. It sure beats the conventional concrete and steel benches. This has a much warmer feeling. And it really helps that it is shaded by a canopy. I once ate my lunch under that when it was lightly raining.

]]> By: AD http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3305 AD Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:33:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3305 Third and 48th, right? My friend lives in the Octavia on this block. These things ARE AWESOME, extremely funny, and fun. Third and 48th, right? My friend lives in the Octavia on this block. These things ARE AWESOME, extremely funny, and fun.

]]> By: Robin http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3302 Robin Fri, 08 Sep 2006 15:48:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3302 We called these "The Bubbles" when I was a young skateboarding lad. We called these “The Bubbles” when I was a young skateboarding lad.

]]> By: Hannah http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3301 Hannah Fri, 08 Sep 2006 15:46:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3301 Isn't there a hanging, piano-shaped bench somewhere near there? (Third Ave., high 40s?) Wherever it is, I think it looks like a fun place to sit. Isn’t there a hanging, piano-shaped bench somewhere near there? (Third Ave., high 40s?) Wherever it is, I think it looks like a fun place to sit.

]]> By: eefers http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/comment-page-1/#comment-3299 eefers Fri, 08 Sep 2006 15:39:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/09/08/midtowns-mini-plaza/#comment-3299 I always trip there. Always. It looks cool, though. I always trip there. Always. It looks cool, though.

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