Rudy Did NOT Clean Up 42nd Street and Times Square

Many people credit Giuliani with cleaning up Times Square and 42nd Street. These individuals don't realize that the changes that became visible during Giuliani's tenure were the culmination of work begun in 1980 by Mayor Edward Koch, 14 years before Giuliani took office.

Here is a quick synopsis regarding the origin of "The 42nd Street Development Land Improvement Project" (the Project)

In 1980, the City entered into a memorandum of understanding with ESDC [the Empire State Development Corporation] for the redevelopment of the Project area, which is located in the West 42 Street/Times Square district. The redevelopment was conceived as a joint effort, to be implemented by public agencies and private developers designated by the City and ESDC. A comprehensive study and plan of the Project area, aimed at turning Times Square into a safe, lively center for entertainment, shopping, commuting, and business, was commissioned and completed in 1981. The plan (the Project Plan) was approved by ESDC and the City’s Board of Estimate in 1984.

In 1986, pursuant to section 402 of the Business Corporation Law and section 6262 of the New York State Urban Development Corporation Act (the UDC Act), ESDC created 42DP [42nd St. Development Project, Inc.] as a wholly-owned subsidiary corporation of ESDC for the purpose of implementing the Project. The Project involves the development of new office towers, entertainment/retail facilities, hotels, and other improvements in the Project area, which ESDC has divided into various sites.

-- Advisory Opinion, Petition No. M030422F, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.