New Route of Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade Uncertain

New Route of Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade Uncertain:
If Broadway Becomes a Pedestrian-Only Zone Around Times and Herald Squares, Parade Will Have to Seek Different Route, Affect Area Businesses

Written by: Karen Benardello


New York City is already trying to figure out what alternative route the balloons and floats can use during this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, as Mayor Michael Bloomberg plans to make Broadway a pedestrian-only zone around Times Square and Herald Square this spring.

The typical 2.5-mile route starts at Central Park West and West 77th Street, and ends at Herald Square, in front of Macy's. But since Bloomberg wants to make the city greener, safer and less congested, the Times Square Alliance says portions of this year's parade may have to be moved north of Times Square, which would keep it close to Broadway.

If the parade instead moves to the Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave.), as Crain's New York Business has reported, it would be the first time in the parade's 84-year history that it would completely bypass Times Square. Doing so would hurt businesses along the traditional route, as the parade is one of the most profitable events of the year for these businesses.