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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 220-08
June 10, 2008

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE ADD NEW YORK GIANTS TO THE CANYON OF HEROES

Unveiling of Permanent Historic Marker on the "Canyon of Heroes" Celebrates Stirring Super Bowl Victory and Highlights Lower Manhattan's Legendary Tickertape Parade Route

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Alliance for Downtown New York President Elizabeth Berger and New York Giants Defensive End Justin Tuck today unveiled a permanent historic marker along the Canyon of Heroes in honor of the New York Giants historic victory in Super Bowl XLII. The marker, located on Broadway between Park Place and Barclay Street, joins the more than 200 plaques in Lower Manhattan commemorating ticker-tape parades which have celebrated legendary individuals and sports teams for more than 100 years. It is the first time in history that the New York Giants will be honored with a plaque in the Canyon of Heroes, located along Broadway from Battery Park to City Hall. Joining in the unveiling was the Commissioner of the New York City Sports Commission, Ken Podziba.

"The Giants Super Bowl XLII victory was a great day in New York City history and now all the memories of that game and the tickertape parade will be etched into the streets of our city," said Mayor Bloomberg. "As Lower Manhattan continues to grow into a thriving community, the Canyon of Heroes reminds us of our City's history. Now, thanks to the Downtown Alliance, the New York Giants will have a permanent place, not only in the record books, but also here in the Canyon of Heroes."

"Just like Lower Manhattan, the New York Giants overcame an underdog status and achieved the greatness some people believed impossible just a short time ago," said Elizabeth H. Berger, president of the Alliance for Downtown New York. "The Downtown Alliance proudly adds a plaque dedicated to the New York Giants on the Canyon of Heroes so the team can take its permanent and rightful place among the legendary New York sports teams and historic individuals that have thrilled and inspired us all."

In 2003, the Downtown Alliance launched New York's version of the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" to commemorate the Canyon of Heroes, with a series of black granite strips set into the sidewalks of Broadway every 25 feet along this storied route. The strips identify and celebrate the historic parades and monumental achievements of every ticker-tape honoree, a diverse group which includes pioneers of air and space travel, soldiers, sailors and sea captains, heads-of-state, politicians, firemen, journalists, athletes and even a virtuoso pianist.

The Canyon of Heroes plaques are part of the Downtown Alliance's Streetscape Program, which received an award from the New York City Art Commission for its uniqueness and elegance. The plan involved a variety of improvements, including reconstruction of all the sidewalks and curbs along lower Broadway, installation of new trash baskets, a user-friendly street sign system and new light poles and street furniture.

The Downtown Alliance, in a joint effort with the New York City Municipal Archives Department of Records and Information Services, also produced a definitive brochure about New York City's ticker-tape parades titled "Broadway: Canyon of Heroes Map and Guide." The Guide provides a brief history of the parades and the exact locations for each plaque along lower Broadway.  Information on the Alliance for Downtown New York's Broadway: Canyon of Heroes Map and Guide and walking tours of the Financial District can be found at www.nyc.gov.

About the Alliance for Downtown New York
The mission of the Alliance for Downtown New York is to be the principal organization that provides Lower Manhattan's historic financial district with a premier physical and economic environment, advocates for businesses and property owners and promotes the area as a world-class destination for companies, workers, residents and visitors. The Downtown Alliance manages the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (BID), serving an area roughly from City Hall to the Battery, from the East River to West Street.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Jim Anderson /Evelyn Erskine   (212) 788-2958

Bruce Brodoff (Downtown Alliance)   (212) 835-2770




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