Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photos: Sharp Anti-Homeless Spikes Have Been Installed Near Pope's Route
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 25, 2015
Modified Sep 25, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 25, 2015
Modified Sep 25, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
(Philip G./Gothamist)
If you walk on 32nd Street near Madison Square Garden, where Pope Francis will be speaking later today, you'll find some new accoutrements have been added to the side of the Manhattan Mall, which houses stores like JC Penney. Are they birdbaths filled with Holy Water? Perches for doves? Whisper machines that let you know that everything is going to be okay? Not even close. They are sharp metal spikes meant to drive away impoverished human beings.
A tipster sent in these photos, noting that "these metal structures are new. Homeless people previously used these alcoves to sleep in. Not a coincidence that they were placed this week." As you can see, they've been specially designed to fit in these exact nooks.
In addition, 32nd Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue was previously lined with benches, a pedestrian plaza area where some of the homeless population would congregate. The benches are now gone.
(Philip G./Gothamist)
We reached out to the city and the Department of Transportation, and a DOT spokesperson told us that "18 benches in the area were removed by Vornado early due to security preparations for the Papal visit." But "those spikes appear to be privately placed." It turns out that Vornado Trust Realty also leases out the Manhattan Mall, and are the likely culprits here, too.
Vornado is the dominant property owner in the area surrounding Penn Station. Earlier this month the NY Post reported that "the seating pods," which they refer to as "homeless magnets," would not be returned following the Pope's departure. "The plaza will be redesigned” next month.
We reached out to Vornado about the spikes, and will update when we hear back.
Tagged
holy spikes
manhattan mall
pope francis
pope in nyc
vornado
original
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
Sean Carlson
NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .