By Mike Mulford SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — With the holiday season already here, locals in Syracuse are quickly decorating the city, covering what seems like every tree and lamp post in a wreath or other holiday garment. The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, dedicated to the revitalization of the city, has partnered with PathFinder Bank to bring a 10-foot star to town.
The star, a 10-foot glowing figure, stands at Perseverance Park. Its goal is to not only attract people to come take a selfie, but to reflect as well.
“Our hope is that people will stop, take a picture with the star,” said Alice Maggiore, communications manager of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse. “We have a hashtag that goes with it, ‘#IWish,’ in hopes that people will share their wishes and dreams, not only for the holidays but for the community as a whole.”
Maggiore said that if some people’s ideas for the city are doable and plausible, then the Committee will see if they can help make them happen. The star will not only make people think about what they are thankful for and what they would like to have, but also how the city can be improved even more.
“Our main priority is to make downtown– help downtown continue to be a place where people want to engage with their surroundings and want to interact with their surroundings,” Maggiore added.
The star will be in Perseverance Park through the end of December and all are encouraged to stop by, take a picture and most importantly, make a wish.
“When we work together, positive things happen. When we as a downtown community work together, we can really impact and send ripples out to effect the entire community.”
Reporter: LOCALS IN SYRACUSE ARE GETTING READY FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, AS THE CITY STREETS ARE LINED WITH WREATHS AND OTHER FESTIVE DECORATIONS– JUST IN TIME FOR THE SNOW AND BITTER COLD TO WHOOSH IN. BUT THERE’S A NEW DECORATION THIS YEAR, IN THE SHAPE OF A 10-FOOT STAR AT PERSEVERANCE PARK. ALICE MAGGIORE (MAJ-er-ee) IS THE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR THE DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE OF SYRACUSE. SHE SAYS THE STAR IS HERE TO GET PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT HOW THE CITY, SPECIFICALLY THE DOWNTOWN AREA, CAN BE IMPROVED.
Alice: Our hope is that people will stop, take a picture with the star. We have a hashtag that goes with it, ‘IWish,’ in hopes that people will share their wishes and dreams– not only for the holidays but also for the community as a whole.
Reporter: THE EYE-CATCHING STAR IS THE WORK OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE AS WELL AS PATHFINDER BANK. THE COMMITTEE’S MISSION IS TO CONSTANTLY THINK OF WAYS TO PROGRESS AND REVITALIZE THE CITY. MAGGIORE SAYS THE STAR IS A GREAT THING TO GET PEOPLE THINKING OF WAYS TO MAKE SYRACUSE AN EVEN BETTER PLACE.
Alice: When we work together, positive things happen. So when we as a downtown community work together, we can really impact and send ripples out to effect the entire community.
Reporter: So what can a normal citizen in downtown Syracuse here do? A simple wish is all it takes. And one thing’s also for sure– you don’t have to look up to make one.
Reporter: USING THE ‘IWISH’ HASHTAG, PEOPLE CAN SHARE THEIR WISHES WITH OTHERS OF BRINGING BETTER IDEAS AND ADDITIONS TO THE CITY THAT WILL SHINE BRIGHT. MAGGIORE SAYS ONE WAY THIS CAN HAPPEN IS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES– MORE VISITORS TO THE AREA WILL BE HUGELY BENEFICIAL.
Alice: Our main priority is to make downtown– help downtown– continue to be a place where people want to engage with their surroundings and want to interact with their surroundings.
Reporter: SO BE SURE TO MAKE A WISH LIST– AND CHECK IT TWICE– AND GO SEE THE STAR THAT WILL BE GLOWING THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER. IN SYRACUSE, MIKE MULFORD, N-C-C NEWS.
