Guarding the Great Square

Ask anyone where they’d like to countdown the New Year and New York City is likely to feature on their list. Enquire further as to the specifics and Times Square probably tops that list. And little wonder: just picture the enormous, jubilant crowd swaying gently to Auld Lang Syne after the dramatic countdown and stunning fireworks lighting up the cold winter sky – a familiar sight on TV year in, year out.

For the current double issue of L’optimum, its writers went all the way to the Big Apple to meet the president of the Times Square Alliance. 

The body oversees everything (and we mean absolutely everything) to do with the area: theatres, shops, special events – including New Year’s eve festivities – concerts and of course, the iconic crystal ball perched on the Chrysler Building, the highlight of every New Year’s Eve since 1907. Since taking over responsibilities in 2002, he has essentially been running this vital part of the city in the shadows of the Mayor.

The rendezvous was small cafe in West Village not far from where he lives. Expecting a be suited executive, Tim Tompkins instead turned up in a fitted t-shirt and jeans, his physique hinting at a man who looks after himself.

“I fell in love with New York the first time I visited when I was in college,” Tompkins says of his path to a career in public administration. 

“I always knew I wanted to work in public service or government. I want to work with people and the city. There’s an indescribable energy to this city, it’s a real melting pot of people and an incubator of new thoughts and ideas. It’s completely unpredictable.”

Although hurricane Sandy spared Manhattan from the worst damages in 2012, the Alliance took measures to improve safety around the area and put forward a new plan to renovate several aspects of the square in order to increase tourism and connect with local residents. Broadway Plaza will get a facelift and a new arts programme will be introduced. But this will be no ordinary arts programme: Tompkins likens it to the world’s biggest gallery will rotating exhibitions of art from the around world over. His past successes bode well for his new vision for Times Squares.

“We’re very proud of Duffy Square,” says Tompkins, who along with the Alliance, redeveloped an old park into a public space dominated by red stadium style seating. It transformed Times Square into a theatre: anyone can come sit and watch New York live. He’s dubbed it the next best show after Broadway.

Make what you will of the fact that Times Square was the first place Tompkins visited on his maiden trip to the city. He ended up buying a ticket to “Amadeus’” that very evening.

Asked for some tips for first time visitors to Times Square. “Do everything!” comes the unequivocal reply. “Take it all in. There is just so much to see.”

If seeing doesn’t suffice then you can engage in a spot of group yoga on certain occasions. “We joke that anyone can achieve nirvana on a solitary mountain, but try doing it in the middle of Times Square.

It may sound like a gimmick but it’s really quite something. It completely changes the atmosphere and the energy in the square.” Hard to believe that an idea which stemmed from his favourite activity now sees over 8,000 participants (and increasing) while the inaugural session saw just three.

Anyone who’s watched the 2011 feature film “New Year’s Eve: will recognise a little of the Matthew Broderick character in what Tompkins does. And they would be right: he is the man responsible for coaxing the crystal ball down the spire of the Chrysler Building. Rest assured our subject is cooler than his fictional counterpart by leaps and bounds, how he would react should the ball refuse to cooperate with millions pairs of eyes on it?

“Hide under my desk,” he says sheepishly, before adding that his actual responsibilities are considerably more demanding than the film suggests and that the past New Year’s Eve celebration had been somewhat stressful.

Speaking of movies, it is hard to imagine what a logistical nightmare it must be to film among the constant bustle of New York.

“If it’s not a major production then you don’t need to ask for permission – millions of tourists are taking photos and filming all over the city everyday. A fashion shoot with a few models and a small crew isn’t a problem. But you need permits for big sets that require street closures and that will cost you.”

Tompkins says that most productions prefer to film the city as is, with minimum interruption. “My favourite New York film is ‘Vanilla Sky.’ I don’t know how they made the streets completely deserted. I also like ‘I Am Legend.’ There’s a scene where the whole city is destroyed except for the red steps at Duffy Square. Those steps didn’t even exist at the time of filming!”

Tompkins’s vision for Times Square will be markedly different from the one envisioned in ‘I Am Legend.’ It will be more beautiful than ever, and the sidewalk and plaza will be upgraded. The Americanness will be turned down in favour of a more European aesthetic. And his arts programme will take centre stage. 

“I wonder if I’ll still be doing this in 10 years. I tend to plan the big milestones but let nature take its course and I listen to my instincts. For me it’s important to have the end in sight and then figure out the means of getting there.”