Bad News For Times Square's Costumed Characters and Painted Ladies

Earlier this summer, in response to complaints that the saturation of aggressively behaved costumed characters and nearly-naked painted ladies (known as "desnudas"), all looking for tips in exchange for posing for photos, has become both a safety risk and a pedestrian traffic annoyance, the New York Department of Transportation divided up the plazas of Times Square into three types of designated areas.

As seen on the DOT flyer to your left, the purple outlining areas have been designated as Express Lanes, for people who just want to get to wherever they're going. The larger green areas are Chill Zones, for relaxing, reading, eating and socializing. Inside most Chill Zones are small blue rectangles of space called Designated Activity Zones. These are where commercial activities, such as street entertainment and posing for tips, are permitted.

As reported by DNA Info, recent construction in Times Square has taken away the use of two of those zones, one located between 44th and 45th Streets and another between 45th and 46th.

The creation of the zones helped decrease the number of tip-seeking entertainers in the first place, as increased competition in small areas made the enterprise less financially attractive. The loss of two of the zones now has entrepreneurs scrambling for territory.

"Instead of giving us a chance with eight zones, like we had before, it makes it a lot harder for us," says Incredible Hulk impersonator Rene Diaz Canseco, who, along with Princess Elsa impersonator Rosa Estrada, often poses for photos with tourists in the zone next to the TKTS booth. Now the area gets crowded with dancers and CD sellers, forcing them to move to other zones.

A spokesperson says that the DOT is reviewing the impact of construction on the Designated Activity Zones and will make any necessary adjustments. This could include the addition of temporary replacement zones.

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