I’ve been busy lately with my project Gone. Now? and getting ready for the exhibition this summer in Reading and for this fortnight’s photo these worlds seem to have converged.
This image from my archive blends my current themes, the 1980s and urban change.

Photographed in 1989 on the corner of 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. looking south,.
The Port Authority bus terminal is to the right and an empty lot being used as a car park is on the left as we look from the NW corner of 42nd & 8th to the SE corner.

Shot on a wet, dark day, the two images paired here are taken moments apart as the crush of people cross the street and then gradually thins out.

Today there is a big glass tower where the car park used to be and the block behind that has the New York Times building. It’s not just the built environment that has changed though, the news stand was advertising their stock of Film and Cassettes!

Cropped view of news stand.

The famous Katz’s Deli, take a good look – they’re knocking
down the rest of the block, Katz’s is safe but they’ve sold
their air rights which means whatever goes up could
overhang them!

Here’s a link to their menu – not exactly a vegetarian’s
delight but you can’t beat a knish on a cold winter’s day!
Click here

RPM Broome and Allen in the very early morning

Subtle colors of light on the Noodle Rest, Flushing, NY

The Sugarcube at South Street Seaport. This inflatable popped up over the winter as a music venue and the program finished in January, so I was surprised to see it this week. It turns out that it can be hired for private functions. It’s located in the entrance of South Street Seaport where guess what – apparently you can’t use a tripod even when the place is completely empty at 6am! The ‘security guard’ suggested helpfully that it would be okay for me to handhold instead…

Not long ago I was wondering about the  fate of this building, on 99th Street, that has been empty for a while. I am  pleased to report that renovation has begun. The building will eventually provide affordable housing for seniors.

I was walking by as the sun rose this morning, so took the opportunity to photograph the building again. You can see the scaffolding that has started to go up and some lights on inside.

The snowplows, attached to loaders and sanitation trucks, are lined up along First Avenue. Hopefully they won’t be needed now until next year and are ready to be put away.

 January 2014

 Today, March 2015.

Despite the snow and below freezing temperatures there are still a few bikes parked at the base of the majestic Manhattan Municipal Building.

Looking downtown many years ago.