West 3rd Street was formerly known as "Amity Street" before the Manhattan Streets were turned into the current street & avenue grid plan. Before NYU moved into the Washington Square Area, Amity Street was primarily a row of residential, convenience businesses, restaurants and entertainment establishments housed in low rise town house style 19th century buildings. Now its primarily a wall of NYU skyscraper buildings on the north side of the street and parking lot for cars. See http://www.pbase.com/hjsteed/photo_shoot_140219 for some examples of how NYU architecture destroys green spaces, street life, parks, gardens, housing, local businesses & community life in historic Greenwich Village. See http://www.pbase.com/hjsteed/laguardia_place_community_garden for more information & photos of further NYC/NYU destructive future plans to build a new series of skyscrapers in the area.