As 2008 drew to a close, Town Square took on one last unexpected project: holiday lights along Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint's main retail strip. Towards the end of November, we learned that there were notgoing to be any street holiday decorations on Manhattan Avenue. While Town Square is not a commercial interest or merchant group, we felt strongly that our neighborhood needed holiday decorations, especially after a diificult a year as 2008. Festive lights represent an important aspect of the holiday season: they lift our spirits and give us hope for the upcoming year.
Within two weeks, we arranged for green garlands and sparkling white lights to be wrapped around all eligible street light poles on Manhattan Avenue, from Java Street to the north to Driggs Avenue to the south - 10 blocks in all. (We say "eligible" for NYC DOT prohibits anything to do with light poles with traffic lights.) We are thrilled to share that we are using LED lights this year, which will enable us to save almost 90% in energy costs compared to the older incandescent lights. The simple elegance (and energy efficient nature) of this design will enable us to keep the decorations up through January and well into February.
We have now embarked on soliciting financial help from the Manhattan Avenue merchants. All supporting merchants have received the bright red flyer (see above) and will be thanked in an upcoming edition of a Greenpoint local newspaper, the Greenpoint Gazette and on this site as well. So please - if you see the red flyer on a door or window, do take a moment and thank the establishment by lending your patronage or, at the very least, expressing a word of gratitude for their marvelous community support.
We would also appreciate it if you would like to help solicit funds or make a donation to defray the quite substantial cost. Any amount will be welcomed. Town Square is a 501(c)(3), so your generosity will be tax deductible. You can contact us at 718.609.1090 or send a check made out to “Town Square” to 102 Oak Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222.
As 2008 drew to a close, Town Square took on one last unexpected project: holiday lights along Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint's main retail strip. Towards the end of November, we learned that there were not going to be any street holiday decorations on Manhattan Avenue. While Town Square is not a commercial interest or merchant group, we felt strongly that our neighborhood needed holiday decorations, especially after a diificult a year as 2008. Festive lights represent an important aspect of the holiday season: they lift our spirits and give us hope for the upcoming year. 
