The removal of small businesses and their replacement by chains isn’t just happening in Times Square but all over Manhattan, indeed, all over America. Sorry, but you can’t pin that on Giuliani. All I know is that Times Square is safe and, for the most part, family friendly. As for the bosomy painted ladies, they are now in a restricted space, as are as well the grabby Elmos. BTW, Giuliani is also not responsible for them. Yes, I like Times Square a hell of a lot more than I did in the 80s. Bryant Park is world class; Port Authority much improved; no broken glass, used needles or used condoms on 42nd Street.
As I said, use Times Square and enjoy it. I find it nightmarish and distinctly child-unfriendly.
BTW, the worst part of Times Square in the old days was that block from Broadway to 8th Avenue on 42nd. If you avoided that, you were fine. I do miss the old Metropole which Holly Golightly visited after she sent her husband packing on a Greyhound bus back to the southland. You can still see it during the opening credits of the Odd Couple tv series. In those days, sex was inside not on the streets of the area.
No one here was suggesting that Bryant Park isn’t improved. Bryant Park is not Times Square although it is certainly near it. It’s behind the Library which is on 5th.