BY JOHN BAYLES | As the Downtown Alliance continues to fulfill its mission of promoting Lower Manhattan, the Business Improvement District has announced a new contest to help its cause and to tug on the heartstrings of anyone who lives or works in the neighborhood.
“Lower Manhattan Love Story” is the Alliance’s way of communicating the myriad possibilities for romance that exist within the one-square-mile the neighborhood encompasses. The organization is inviting anyone that has fallen in love in, or with, Lower Manhattan to tell their story in 500 words or less. A group of judges will select the best entry and the prize is a dinner at Wall and Water and a one-night, weekend stay at the Andaz Wall Street Hotel.
According to the Alliance’s president, Liz Berger, the idea surfaced rather naturally. Berger said though the contest represents a new way to engage workers and residents, it’s really just an outgrowth of the Alliance’s staff and their own love affair with Lower Manhattan.
“In the past there have been discussions of different seasonal promotions revolving around holidays, including Valentines Day,” said Berger. “While the area is an internationally recognized business address and home to numerous icons of New York, its also a little gem, particularly around the holidays. We were just talking about our own experiences.”
Berger admitted that none of the staff could say they actually fell in love with someone in Lower Manhattan, but that all could relate to the idea. Jeff Simmons, senior vice president for communications for the Alliance, also said while he didn’t know of anyone who had specifically met and fell in love in the neighborhood, the idea was not an abstract concept.
“There are so many things to fall in love with in our neighborhood, from the romantic spots to dine to the stunning views,” said Simmons. “In a city of more than 8 million stories, surely there are quite a few love stories in Lower Manhattan.”
As the staff at the Alliance started thinking more about the idea, Simmons said they didn’t want to limit it to people who were in a relationship.
“That’s why we added the ‘falling in love with’ part,” Simmons noted.
As for the judges of the competition, which will include representatives from the Andaz Wall Street and Wall and Water Restaurant; FiDi Association; Greenwich Jewelers; and Flowers of the World, Simmons said they were the result of brainstorming about “all the elements of a romantic date.”
“You’ve got chocolate, jewelry, flowers and a nice dinner,” said Simmons.
At this point Simmons said they have no idea what to expect when it comes to the different stories they could receive.
“We don’t know what types of stories we’re going to get — from a person that moved here and fell in love with a view, or from someone that has been married for 40 years but happened to meet the [love of their life] on a Lower Manhattan street.”
“I cant wait to see where and how people fell in love,” mused Berger, “ to read what’s love got to do with it, or should I say, “what’s love got do with Lower Manhattan.’”
Berger added, “For me, it’s been a 30-year love story with this neighborhood and I’m renewing those vows on a daily basis.”
The Alliance has set up a special page on their website with all of the contest details. All entries must be received by February 8. To learn more, visit www.downtownny.com.
