A stretch of road in New York’s Jackson Heights, an eclectic neighborhood boasting of a population of about 200,000, was last week officially co-named “Diversity Plaza”, honoring the heterogeneity of its people and culture during a ceremony.
On May 21, official from the city and people from the neighborhood gathered where 37th Road, 73rd Street and Broadway intersect to co-name the stretch that has traditionally served as a meeting point and the mainstay of Jackson Heights, where South Asians, Blacks and Hispanics live and work side by side.
“Diversity Plaza has truly become a neighborhood gathering point for Jackson Heights and Elmhurst residents,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst). The plaza serves as a town square, concert stage, festival space and cafe year round. There is always something exciting taking place there,” Dromm said at the co-naming ceremony.
The name “Diversity Plaza” was coined by Dromm’s former chief of staff Will Sweeney who lives in Jackson Heights.
The co-naming ceremony coincided with World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, designated by the United Nations in 2002. A special performance by Calpulli Mexican Dance Company followed Dromm’s remarks and the unveiling of the official “Diversity Plaza” street sign.
Others who were present at the event included U.S. Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), N.Y.C. Public Advocate Letitia James (D-NYC), Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D-Queens), N.Y. State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens), the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), the Friends of Diversity Plaza, SUKHI New York, and the Neighborhood Plaza Partnership, among others.
“We are very excited about the co-naming ceremony and the designation of our special public space as, officially, Diversity Plaza,” said Shekar Krishnan, Chair of Friends of Diversity Plaza. “As the gateway to Jackson Heights, it is a reflection of the incredible cultural vibrancy and diversity of our neighborhood,” he said.
He said following the recent installation of overhead lights and the beautiful street art by a local business owner and resident, “this is a wonderful day for our plaza,” the town square of our community. “We are grateful for the efforts of Daniel Dromm, the Mayor’s OneNYC Plaza Equity Program, and Neighborhood Plaza Partnership for working with us and our community to bring these significant improvements to this important open space,” he added.
In 2011 Dromm, the DOT and community stakeholders implemented Diversity Plaza as part of a larger neighborhood transportation study that sought to increase pedestrian safety and decrease congestion in the area. The plaza also serves to increase open space in a neighborhood where it is scarce. Because of coordinated efforts, the plaza has become an integral part of the Jackson Heights and Elmhurst communities and is home to a variety of festivals and cultural events throughout the year, and even a gathering point for immigrant communities when disasters occur in their homelands.
In 2012, Dromm allocated $500,000 for the capital reconstruction of Diversity Plaza. When complete, the plaza will feature a raised street bed, new lighting as well as new planters and trees. Construction on the plaza is set to start later this year with completion in late 2017.
Vita Coco, a coconut water company, has signed on as a sponsor of Diversity Plaza and will be funding additional cleaning and horticultural services for a full year as well as free programming for the community.
“I’m proud to see my vision of Diversity Plaza as the capital of the living United Nations in New York City became real,” said Agha Saleh, founder of SUKHI, a nonprofit for South Asian community in New York. “SUKHI’s inclusive team of diversity lead by two women, Shazia Kausar and Fatima Baryab, and their dedicated work with Council Member Dromm at 37th Road during the past four years made this plaza famous around the world,” Saleh said.
In a statement Mayor Bill de Blasio noted that Diversity Plaza has been a mainstay of Jackson Heights – one of the most diverse neighborhoods in one of the most diverse cities on earth – for years. “We are proud to stand with Council Member Dromm and the people of Queens to formally recognize the importance of this plaza for the folks here — who speak over 150 languages,” the mayor said.
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