Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) President Kevin M. Rampe, Empire State Development Corporation (ESD) Chairman Charles A. Gargano and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Andrew M. Alper along will local retailers, cultural institutions and business groups, today launched "Downtown for the Holidays" --a continued effort to market downtown by encouraging residents, employees and visitors to shop, dine and visit Lower Manhattan destinations during the holiday season. In the coming weeks, free Zagat Survey Guides will be distributed to all employees working below Houston Street. The guides contain information on restaurants, hotels, entertainment resources, nightlife, cultural attractions and shopping, and important updates on the rebuilding and revitalization of Lower Manhattan.

"The distribution of free Zagat Survey Guides to all Lower Manhattan employees encourages people to shop, dine and stay in Lower Manhattan, home to restaurants and stores that can be found only in downtown New York," LMDC President Kevin M. Rampe said. "To coincide with the Zagat Survey Guide distribution, LMDC is also issuing a new 'Downtown for the Holidays' palm card to highlight holiday events in Lower Manhattan. This campaign is designed to ensure that employees working downtown, stay downtown."

Tim Zagat, CEO and co-founder of Zagat Survey, LLC said, "The special Downtown New York Zagat guide benefits both businesses and downtown employees. The comprehensive guide highlights the fantastic offerings of downtown business while providing consumers with a relevant and easy way to find establishments that appeal to them."

ESD Chairman Charles A. Gargano said, "Downtown's businesses and employees are central to Lower Manhattan's continued renewal and revitalization. Since the September 11th tragedy, Governor Pataki and the "I Love New York" campaign have implemented a series of initiatives to promote New York and specifically Lower Manhattan. This new Zagat Guide will provide valuable information about all of the exciting things to do downtown and is the perfect way to say -- 'I Love New York'!"

The launch of 'Downtown for the Holidays' comes on the heels of ESD's October "I Love New York" ad campaign for Lower Manhattan and the Downtown Alliance's 'Downtown for Dinner' week of prix fixe dinners November 3-9.

EDC President Andrew M. Alper said, "I'd like to thank LMDC and ESDC for sponsoring the Lower Manhattan Zagat Survey Guides. And on behalf of all the citizens of New York City, I want to thank all the employers in Lower Manhattan for your commitment to revitalizing downtown. By supporting the small businesses so vital to the economy, your employees are helping to rebuild Lower Manhattan stronger than ever. Please accept these guides as a token of our thanks. And on behalf of the City, a happy and healthy holiday season to all."

Carl Weisbrod, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York said, "Lower Manhattan is a remarkable holiday shopping destination, offering hundreds of great shops and festivities from which to choose. We invite those who work, live and visit the area to shop downtown, support downtown, and after working up an appetite, grab the new Zagat guide to find a great restaurant downtown."

Richard Cohn, co-owner of SouthWest NY, the first restaurant to reopen in the World Financial Center after September 11th said, "We are committed to the continued revitalization of Lower Manhattan and will be renewing our commitment to downtown in late January, by inviting all New Yorkers and visitors to the opening of our new English Pub, the Pound & Pence Pub and Restaurant at 55 Liberty Street in the Financial District. Downtown has so much to offer for the holiday season--from free events for the whole family at the Winter Garden, to fabulous world class shopping at Century 21 and J&R Music World, as well as exciting places to wine and dine, such as SouthWest NY, with 50 different margaritas. These new guides will help spread the word!"

President Rampe, Chairman Gargano and President Alper announced the new guides at SouthWest NY in the World Financial Center, home to 34 retailers, who returned to the WFC, and Banana Republic and Fleet Bank, who are moving in soon. The World Financial Center contains 20 shops and boutiques and 14 restaurants and frequently offers free public art performances. They we joined by representative from cultural institutions and retailers from all around Lower Manhattan.

The guides were a joint project of LMDC, ESD and EDC. The new guides will be distributed by EDC beginning today.