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[Kicking Back with Jersey Joe] A Walk Down New York City’s 6½ Ave

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Jersey Joe explores a little known New York City street, 6½ Avenue.

6½ avenue is a pedestrian walkway that opened in 2012.  The first ½ avenue in Manhattan, it gives pedestrians a fast shortcut between 51st and 57th streets.  Adding stop signs, traffic lights, and crosswalks cost city taxpayers $60,000.

While many drivers complain that the ½ avenue stop signs tie up traffic, many businesses and restaurants have capitalized on the walkway, by adding outdoor seating and signage to direct pedestrians into their shops.

THE 411

What: 6½ avenue

Where: New York City

Location: between 51st and 57th Streets

Opened: 2012

JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:

It’s another one of those “only in New York” kind of things.  I’ve worked in the city for years, yet I had no idea this avenue existed.  I’ve passed by it dozens of times, never giving it a second thought.

Pedestrian only streets are a great idea and are becoming more popular and useful in New York.  While commonplace in many European cities, New York is quickly adopting many pedestrian only streets.  A big example is where several blocks of Broadway are now closed to traffic south of Times Square.

For me, this street is a great short cut and any time I can cross a street without having to look out for a speeding taxi cab is a winner in my book!

[Kicking Back with Jersey Joe] Google Maps Quiz

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Jersey Joe checks out some funny shots of people captured in the Google Maps street view car.

Google maps street view first started as an experiment, where they packed a computer and a camera into the back of an SUV and drove around, capturing whatever they found on their journey.  It all started back in 2007, but now they have expanded to 7 continents and there’s no stopping their little car with the 360 degree camera on top.

Even in my neighborhood, they’ve shot the front of my apartment at least three times.  They continue to not only update the maps and images they already have, but continue to constantly add more streets.

THE 411

What: Google street view

Purpose: online search tool

Launched: 2007

whers waldoJERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:

As I said in my blog, I believe this is one of the most incredible inventions so far of the 21st century.  In fact, they have already captured history in the making.  Several buildings burnt down just around the block from my apartment and Google Maps have captured what they looked like before the fire several years ago and have now driven back around the area to capture what the block looks like today.

This is extremely helpful in times of disaster or when you want to take a look back at a nostalgic photo, or see what your old neighborhood looks like today.

Try it out!  Enter your home address and see what their car and camera has captured.  If they don’t have you yet, rest assured – they will!

At least, we get to see lots of people, doing lots of crazy things as this car transverses our planet.  For fun, I love typing in a random address and seeing what’s around.  Think of it – you can explore strange new parts of our planet, without ever leaving your home!  All you need is a computer and an address!  So, if you can’t get there to see the real thing — it’s like a Star Trek holodeck, now you can have your own personal virtual tour!