[jlousa]

Do you think Reno or Winnipegs downtown are more vibrant then Vancouvers?
The lcds and bright lights aren't what attracts people or makes an area more vibrant. It's things to do that does. The city should concentrate on more festivals, more events and leave the gimmicks for other places.

As you probably know Times Square is the busiest intersection in NY, that is why it's vibrant, not because of the signs. The signs came in to take advantage of the large number of people not the other way around. If you take away New Years Eve there are actually very few occasions when New Yorkers gather at times square.