A Times Square Revival: From the Borough Presidency to the Top of the Marriott!

Travel

Audio By Carbonatix

If you haven’t walked through Times Square lately, allow me to bring you up to speed: it’s not just back—it’s bouncing. On this week’s Fun Friday, we delivered an all-access pass to the energy, ambition, and iconic flavor that make this part of Manhattan the beating heart of New York City.

Cristyne Nicholas, my ever-stylish and savvy co-host, was away this week, but stepping into her heels (gracefully, I might add) was the lovely and plugged-in AB from the powerhouse PR firm Nicholas & Lence Communications. Alongside us was also none other than Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, who confirmed what any pedestrian with a pulse has noticed: Times Square is roaring back to life with foot traffic, flashing lights, and—yes—new political momentum.

Enter Keith Powers, the Manhattan City Council Member and now a candidate for Manhattan Borough President. Powers is no stranger to civic leadership. His current post representing Midtown East and the surrounding neighborhoods has already put him in the thick of public policy, real estate, and the daily headaches New Yorkers know all too well. But he’s not running on vague idealism—he’s pushing pragmatic, problem-solving leadership.

On the show, Powers made it clear that Manhattan doesn’t just need representation—it needs revitalization. From affordable housing to public safety to the vibrancy of the small business ecosystem, his platform isn’t about grandstanding—it’s about making things work again. In a city that too often trades logic for ideology, Powers’ grounded approach was a breath of fresh air.

Then came the skyline moment.

Matt Pizzimenti, the General Manager of the New York Marriott Marquis, joined us to unveil the exciting news that The View—the hotel’s legendary rotating rooftop restaurant—is finally spinning again. If you’re a New Yorker of any vintage, you know The View. If you’re a tourist with even a basic sense of direction, you’ve dreamed of eating there. This high-in-the-sky venue hasn’t just been a meal with a view—it’s been a rite of passage.

Pizzimenti shared the heart behind the relaunch: not just food, but experience. Not just service, but spectacle. The reopening marks more than just a restaurant relighting its burners—it’s a signal that Midtown’s hospitality engine is firing back to full speed. Between the Marquis’ ballroom events, business travelers returning in waves, and the magnetic pull of Broadway’s resurgence, this singular hotel is once again anchoring the neighborhood.

And the synergy was too perfect to ignore. The public vision of Keith Powers combined with the private execution of hospitality leaders like Pizzimenti speaks volumes about what it takes to rebuild New York: it’s a blend of civic courage and commercial confidence.

Tom Harris underscored the same point. The Times Square Alliance has been working overtime to make sure the sidewalks are safe, the lights stay bright, and the tourists keep streaming in. Their efforts are paying off. We’re not just seeing crowds—we’re seeing community. A sense that New York, battered though it may be, has its chin up and its boots laced.

As I said on-air, it’s easy to despair about this city if you scroll Twitter too long. But if you walk through the middle of Times Square right now, grab a bite at The View, and talk to folks like Keith Powers or Matt Pizzimenti—you’ll feel it. This place still works.

New York isn’t dead. It just took a coffee break—and now it’s caffeinated and making up for lost time.