13th St Between 4th Ave and 3rd Ave
We should all feel special today! We get to explore a street which branches off from the SHORTEST avenue (4th) in the borough. Being down here, just south of Union Square, this stretch of 13th St is full of character. Beginning on the west of the street (closest to Union Square and 4th Ave) the block is relatively common and barren - housing a Blimpie's and several Pepsi posters. But as one ventures more east-ward, towards the exciting land of 3rd avenue, the commercial and architectural offerings pick up – culminating with the big, painted dinosaur on 3rd and 13th. In between one will encounter large, abandoned buildings (perhaps an old stable), video game stores, antique dealers, flower shops, and of course plenty of NYU-based Public Safety Officers.
Everything from the buildings, trees, and chained-up bikes to the signs, fire houses, and Nitrogen-tanks make this a true New York street.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 8:00AM
Reader Comments (1)
Hi! I go to NYU and I was wondering if you knew something about those strange animal paintings on walls of buildings in the village. You have a photo of the dinosaur one on 13th and 3rd. There's another yellow-and-rust colored one on 1st and (I think) 10th or 11th of a hippo or some similar animal. I haven't been able to successfully find out the story behind these animal paintings and I was wondering if you, with your expansive knowledge of the city and its contents, could help me find out who put them there and how many there are as well as anything else you could find out about them.
Thanks!
Also, I write for NYU's snarky and clever blog, NYU Local. Check us/me out if you'd like! http://nyulocal.com/ or http://nyulocal.com/author/ava-kiai/