Let there be light! Holidaze sets in at Downtown’s office compound

Finally, there is light at the end of the workday.

Hundreds of office workers and Downtown residents joined elected officials and mega-developers to usher in the winter holidays at the Metrotech Commons tree lighting on Monday night. The 24th annual ceremony featured Christmas carols, a visit from Santa, and some cheerful words from the neighbors.

“Christmas in the city of Brooklyn is always a sight to see, especially at Metrotech,” said outgoing Borough President Markowitz.

The borough’s biggest booster was joined by big-time builder Bruce Ratner, whose company Forest City Ratner is behind the 11-tower office complex and the Barclays Center, and others for the flipping of the switch.

Downtownies: Amber Duncan-Morse, 8, and Kayden Davis, 6, were among the group of kids that pushed the button to light the tree.

Photo by Stefano Giovannini

Brooklyn Tech High School’s chorus got somber with a rendition of “O Holy Night” and a pastor in attendance urged the audience to pray for a certain bunch of wayward ball-handlers who call the Barclays-branded arena home.

“We pray for the Brooklyn Nets basketball team — that they might win the championship,” said Rev. Herbert Daughtry, a civil rights activist and Ratner pal.

Onlookers cheered when the lights came on.

“It’s our own little way of kicking off the holiday season in this community,” said Long Island University professor Eric Blackwell.