The big “9” took a ride on the New York Waterway ferry Wednesday morning. The large integer cruised—along with regular passengers—across the Hudson from New York to New Jersey and back, and thus New Yorkers got a chance to see it on its way to fill the empty spot at the end of the “200” that was already in place at the Duracell Power Lodge on Broadway in the middle of Times Square.
The numeral was attached to a frame with wheels when it arrived in Times Square. The crew rolled it out of the third-floor freight elevator and to the end of the already-in-place numbers. It was detached from the frame and then a half dozen crewmen wrestled it upright and into place, completing “2009.”
The outsized metal and glass digit is actually 500 pounds and stands seven feet tall. The front side is covered in a new kind of bulb that is brighter, longer lasting, and more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. The huge numerals will remain there for a week and then they will be moved on top of One Times Square where they will become a backdrop for the falling New Year’s Eve ball.
In the Duracell Power Lodge there are several mock snowmobiles lined up side by side with what look like bicycles attached to the rear of the vehicles. They are actually human-powered battery chargers that add power to the huge battery that will keep the “2009” sign’s light bulbs burning throughout the night of New Year’s Eve.
Members of the public who want to take a turn are welcome. Many celebrities have shown up to lend a hand, or more precisely, two legs. Wednesday morning Bethenny Frankel and Jill Zarin, of “The Real Houswives of New York” came to pedal for the cause along with famed photographer Patrick McMullan.