New year, new neighborhood – 99% invisible

Every year on New Year’s Eve, millions of eyes turn to Times Square. The ball drops, confetti flies and people around the world celebrate as one of the most iconic urban spaces transforms into a bright, glittering symbol of hope and renewal. But this carefully orchestrated spectacle didn’t just happen. Times Square, now synonymous with bright lights and family-friendly entertainment, has lived many lives. At the beginning of the 20th century it was a booming theater district. By the 1970s it had become a gritty center of adult entertainment – it was called the “seediest bloc in America.” By the 1990s, the neighborhood was almost deserted, the streets empty and its reputation in tatters.

The transformation of Times Square was no accident. It was the result of a massive redevelopment project pushed by powerful business interests and the New York City government. The city invoked this in the early 1980s eminent domain to confiscate large parts of the neighborhood with the aim of eliminating its run-down image. But first a group of property owners, led by the New York Times and theater managers formed the Times Square Business Improvement District (BID) that things started to change.

BIDs—private organizations funded by local property owners—stepped in where the city couldn’t, using their own resources to make Times Square feel safe and vibrant again. They cleaned the streets, deployed private security guards and held public events to reshape the area’s image. The ball drop itself became a cornerstone of that campaign, reimagined in 1993 as a dazzling spectacle of fireworks, confetti and global fanfare. This was more than just a party – it was a declaration to the world that Times Square was back.

But the cleanup work came at a price. The redevelopment displaced hundreds of businesses and displaced vulnerable residents, including many who made their living in Times Square’s underground economy. Critics argued that the BID’s efforts favored large corporations and tourists over locals, further driving gentrification and leaving small businesses behind.Today, Times Square is one of the most visited places in the world, a success story that reflects the growing influence of BIDs across the country. There are now over 1,000 of these private districts in the United States, which characterize neighborhoods with flower pots, banners and “ambassadors” in neon vests. But while they can make cities cleaner, safer and more attractive, they also blur the line between public and private power and raise questions about democracy, justice and who gets to decide what public spaces are for. As the ball drops every year, Times Square is both a triumph of urban reinvention and a cautionary tale. Behind the confetti and celebration lies a story about cities, power and the invisible forces that shape the places we share.