Skip to content

555 Hudson Street

Jane Jacobs lived at 555 Hudson Street when she wrote "The Death and Life of Great American Cities." I happened to be in the neighborhood yesterday afternoon and I saw this bouquet of flowers and card on the front door. The card reads, "Jane Jacobs, 1916-2006. From this house, in 1961, a housewife changed the world."

Jane Jacobs lived at 555 Hudson Street when she wrote “The Death and Life of Great American Cities.” I happened to be in the neighborhood yesterday afternoon and I saw this bouquet of flowers and card on the front door. The card reads, “Jane Jacobs, 1916-2006. From this house, in 1961, a housewife changed the world.”

A number of people had left flowers and notes…

Despite the fact that this section of Hudson Street is now, essentially, a three-lane highway, I’m sure Jane would have been pleased with the little bench, the tree, and all of the bikes parked in front of her building. Greenwich Village is still one of the world’s great urban neighborhoods thanks to her work…

Photo of Aaron Naparstek
Aaron Naparstek is the founder and former editor-in-chief of Streetsblog. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Naparstek's journalism, advocacy and community organizing work has been instrumental in growing the bicycle network, removing motor vehicles from parks, and developing new public plazas, car-free streets and life-saving traffic-calming measures across all five boroughs. He was also one of the original cast members of the "War on Cars" podcast. You can find more of his work on his website.

Comments Are Temporarily Disabled

Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.

Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Slopulism’: Cheaper Driving Is Hochul’s Key ‘Affordability’ Issue

March 30, 2026

To Save Lives — And The Theater — Let’s Ban Cars From Broadway

March 30, 2026

Lawmakers Want More Funding For Upstate Transit Than Hochul Is Offering

March 30, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: Mamdani’s Missing Link Edition

March 30, 2026

Mamdani Will Upgrade Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan-Side Entrance By June

March 27, 2026
See all posts