6th Ave Between Washington Pl and West 9th St

Walking down 6th Avenue, I was trying to figure out what the deal was with the old Emigrant bank across from another Emigrant bank which had been taken over by Staples. Were they both always there? Was the second location a replacement for the new Staples? It was very confusing. I think it'd be great if Staples continued to operate the Time/Temperature sign on the building- but I don't see that happening.

As it is right now, in 2009, I feel like this area is the perfect example of New York's architectural melting pot - with it's combination of old and new, fancy and pedestrian, subways and cars....everything mixes nicely for me. What I fear is the inevitable slip into the future. While I don't have a blind rage towards modern buildings, I do feel their existence is only softened by the surrounding history. For example the C.O. Bigelow Drug Store- one of my favorite examples of a classic retail spot (it has a cool sign AND a great building mural/ad!) could almost make up for four or five blocks of glass curtain architecture.

As I walked around down here I noticed, for the first time in Manhattan, "countdown-style" crosswalk signs. So yes...change is coming my friends, and it'll cause us all to tempt fate as we sprint across the street.

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