Spots: Midtown Manhattan — Theater District / Times Square Area

CBS used to be real big for night sessions, but it started to decline after the famed ledge-to-drop was blocked off by two giant planters, continued with increased post-September 11th security measures that brought 24-hour gaurds around the building who would take it upon themselves to enforce plaza regulations, and an effort by the building to sandblast the ledges on a consistent basis. All of the obstacles remain, but it never resumed its status as the go-to location for westside Midtown missions.

The back plaza is covered with marble benches that can be approached from both sides. At any given period of time, at least two or three will be waxed, but the others will need some work. The ground is smooth marble, with an occasional rough tile and crack, but nothing too discouraging.

CBS’ actual building is surrounded by a pit. Each side of the pit has at least one thing that can be skated. The most sessioned of which is the rail gap, consisting of a drop off a six-foot high platform, over a four-foot long handicap ramp and a metal handrail that descends alongside it. The northern side has two ledges over a six stair, a lower frontside for regular / backside for goofy one, and a much higher one for the opposing stance. Both ledges are about five feet long. The lower one grinds and slides much better than its big brother. The east side of the building has several platforms that require your own creative imagination and an eight-stair square rail approachable from both sides. Nothing throughout the plaza is plagued by severe cracks, holes, or rough spots like a lot of nearby spots.

Bust — ♦♦♦♦ / Very Likely: There is a 24-hour security guard posted at the east side of the building, midway through the plaza facing the benches, and another one posted on the southside near the rail gap. They will inevitably see you, but whether it is in one minute or one hour is anybody’s guess. It is completely sporadic in terms of kickouts, but conditions are inevitably unfavorable and you should not count on staying for too long. It is typically a night spot due to the crowds that journey and stop through here during the work week, but Saturday and Sunday sessions during the colder half of the year can also prove to be a decent time to stop by.

Loction: 52nd Street and 6th Avenue. Take the B, D, F or V to 47th Street – Rockerfeller Center and go north on 6th Avenue for 5 blocks. The building is on the east side of the street.

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