The New York Street area has been used in countless productions over the years. It's been rebuilt after fires in 1957 and 1990, and frequently changes appearance as required by the production work at the time. The street is curved at both ends to give the illusion of a longer street on camera.
The entire New York Street / Metropolitan area was destroyed by fire June 1 2008. The studio is committed to rebuilding the sets once again, and issued a press release in February 2009 giving details. The new structures will, for the first time, have to comply with a new building code specifically for backlot structures, meaning they'll have sprinklers and other fire-protection measures built in.
Between 1984 and 1990 the whole New York Street area had a large rig above it which could be used to cover the sets with black tarpaulins in order to do night shooting during the day. See Streets of Fire (1984) page for more.
