Sixth Avenue
The extension of Sixth Avenue below Carmine Street (where it previously ended) resulted in the demolition of many buildings along its route and the creation of many open and unbuildable spaces along the new avenue. In the mid-1970’s, the City of New York decided to take many of these unused spurs off of 6th Avenue and redesign them as small vest-pocket parks and public seating areas. In the late 1990’s, several of these parklets around Minetta and Downing Streets were renovated in a faux-historicist style, and given iron fences to keep “undesirable elements” out. The curious sight of greenery and parks alongside a major Manhattan Avenue is the result of this unusual history of Sixth Avenue’s latter-day extension through the South Village. For further information, Click Here for historic maps.
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