To celebrate the 179th anniversary of Dominican independence, the official naming of “Quisqueya Plaza” in Inwood was carried out, in honor of this community.
The event was attended by Mayor Eric Adams, elected officials, and the city’s Transportation Commissioner, Ydanis Rodríguez, who announced that the plaza will receive $7 million in funding to improve its public space and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
“An investment of 7 million dollars for us to rebuild this space that already has life, but we are going to give the opportunity for artists to also participate in the sculpture that it will have,” said the commissioner. “We are going to make sure that there is everything that is needed so that the community continues to walk safely, that families and children can have fun.”
The city posted a message on social media about the event.
Welcome to Quisqueya Plaza!
Quisqueya was the name of the island Hispaniola in the Taino language. It refers to the land of the Dominican people 🇩🇴
Today it is also a very special place in Upper Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/THZtN5J48t
— New York City (@nycgob) February 27, 2023
The stretch of street on Dyckman between Broadway and Seaman avenues, formerly known as Dyckman Plaza, right in the heart of the Dominican community in northern Manhattan, was the first open street to be transformed into a permanent public square during the pandemic, which helped save local businesses and jobs.
“Having the Quisqueya plaza is a commitment for all of us. You don’t have to be Dominican to celebrate today, because today is a day of homeland and freedom, long live the Dominican Republic and long live our plaza,” said Susana Osorio, businesswoman.
The plaza pays homage to Quisqueya, the Taíno name given to the island that today is made up of Haiti and the Dominican Republic and which means “mother of all islands.” It is also the name of a municipality in the Dominican Republic.
According to the annual report of the New York Department of Immigration, there are approximately one million Dominicans, which makes them the largest group of Latino immigrants residing in the city, above Mexicans and Ecuadorians.
“It is a Dominican community that also celebrates its independence, and we are here to celebrate them, for all their contributions to New York City, to our country. Without immigrants, this country, this city would not be what it is today. “said Manuel Castro, commissioner of the mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs.
