You Told Us is a regular feature highlighting comments from users in the communities DNAinfo covers.
UPPER WEST SIDE — Locals were sharply divided when it came to plans to bring a carousel and candy shop to a long-vacant public space in the neighborhood.
The owner of the commercial space at 1991 Broadway, near West 68th Street, is moving in the trendy candy chain Sugar Factory, which is planning to install a carousel in the adjoining public space.
Sugar Factory boasts of celebrity fans, massive sundaes, and large bins full of old-school and specialty candy.
As part of the lease, the celebrity-favored confectionery would spruce up the interior of the adjacent public area to host the 12-foot-wide carousel.
Readers took to social media to voice their discontent over the plan:
► "That's all this city needs, is a place that sells more sugar garbage! No!" said one Facebook commenter.
► "The last thing that's needed given the diabetes/obesity crisis that grips our city. How about a facility with showers and bathrooms for the homeless with on site social services? That's what's really needed but there's no money to be made in that is there?" added a Neighborhood Square commenter.
► "I agree to swatting away the sugar fairies. I wish if we can't get Ollies back, to get a Carmine's restaurant in there...The Lincoln Center audiences, movie theatre fans and holiday shoppers would be well served by Carmines," said another Facebook commenter.
The carousel wasn't a hit with everyone, either:
► "I can't imagine the carousel will make all feel welcome," said a Neighborhood Square commenter.
But others lauded the plan, saying it was a refreshing change from the status quo:
► "Bring it on baby!!!" wrote one Facebook commenter.
► "[T]his particular space is indeed an eyesore, so dark and dismal that it needs a radical overhaul. I hope they provide adequate seating and free wireless. The busyness of the nearby Rubinstein atrium shows that there's a real need for more indoor public in Lincoln Square. A restroom would be nice, too," added a Neighborhood Square commenter.
► "The UWS currently looks like a ghost town with all of its shuttered businesses...it's about time this space gets cleaned up. It's a complete eyesore and waste of real estate," said another Neighborhood Square commenter.
