Less than 24 hours after watching footage of a couple get engaged atop New York City’s Empire State Building, Metairie residents Clay Neville and his girlfriend reportedly decided they weren’t about to let Manhattan corner the market on unnecessarily complicated marriage proposals.
The couple immediately began evaluating local landmarks before settling on the Jefferson Parish water tower overlooking the I-10, Causeway Boulevard, and Lakeside corridor, figuring it was close enough.
Neville said the tower’s location just minutes from Old Metairie made it the obvious choice.
“It’s basically the Upper East Side of Jefferson Parish,” he explained.
By Thursday afternoon, the couple had arrived at what Neville proudly called the “Statue of Liberty of Metairie.”
“We wanted something iconic,” Neville said while gesturing toward the towering municipal landmark. “When people think of Metairie, they think of Lakeside… and this.”
The couple also considered proposing in the Lakeside Shopping Center food court before deciding it “didn’t quite say forever.”
Neville also reportedly sought sponsorship from one of the area’s famously wealthy billboard attorneys, hoping they might also represent him afterward “just in case.” None returned his calls.
“It would’ve been a nice partnership,” Neville said. “They get the exposure. I get legal representation.”
Jefferson Parish officials later reminded residents that water towers are not approved engagement venues, regardless of what New York may be doing.
Neville disagreed.
“Everybody keeps comparing Metairie to New Orleans,” he said. “I’m comparing Metairie to Manhattan.”
After a brief pause, he added, “Methattan.”
Nobody else has reportedly started calling it that.
The proposal was ultimately deemed a success after Neville’s girlfriend said yes and both safely returned to ground level. Neville was later arrested on charges of aggravated tackiness and first-degree suburbanism.