Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
(Downtown Manhattan) Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani lit up the World's Downtown at a holiday extravaganza this evening at Liberty Plaza. The 'Starlight Toyland' celebration, sponsored by the Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc. features more than 100,000 lights, huge animated toys such as rocking horses, a jack-in-the-box, choo-choo trains, giant candy canes and a plane piloted by one of Santa's elves. Joining the Mayor for the celebration were members of the Alliance for Downtown New York, the P.S. 26 choir -- currently featured in A Christmas Carol running at Madison Square Garden, the newest New York Knick star, Allan Houston, and many prominent New Yorkers.
According to Robert Douglass, Chairman of the Board of the Alliance for Downtown New York, this evening's ceremony also marked the beginning of the Alliance's holiday partnership with numerous Downtown businesses and American Express for the American Express Charge Against Hunger Program.
"I'm very pleased to join the Alliance for Downtown New York as we light up the World's Downtown for the joyous holiday season. The dazzling show of 100,000 lights will draw thousands and thousands of visitors from throughout the Metropolitan area -- visitors who will see what a different place Downtown has become over the past three years."
The Mayor continued, "This spectacular event is truly symbolic of the revitalization happening right here. We see the real proof of change in the declining commercial vacancy rate which has dropped well below 20 percent --and is still falling. Increasingly, people are realizing that Downtown is a great place to live. Almost 1,000 units for housing are being renovated from what was formerly commercial space. And, in addition, retail sales Downtown are strong and are expected to be even stronger this holiday season."
Mayor Giuliani thanked the Alliance for Downtown New York, American Express, Share Our Strength, Food for Survival and the 10 major retailers and restaurants who work so hard to ensure a successful Charge Against Hunger program. The Mayor also acknowledged the contributions of Borders, Morton's of Chicago and the Wall Street Kitchen and Bar for their charter sponsorship of the American Express Charge Against Hunger program. He said, "Your involvement in this wonderful campaign ensures that thousands will not go hungry this holiday season."
The Mayor concluded the program by announcing, "Now let's light up the World's Downtown!"
The Alliance for Downtown New York manages the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District, which roughly spans the area from City Hall to the southern tip of Manhattan.