Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at Renaming of Dyckman Plaza to Quisqueya Plaza

February 27, 2023

Watch the video here at https://www.youtube.com/live/YcInqoWeiA0?feature=share

Commissioner Rodriguez: ... Give you the (inaudible.) Juan Rodriguez, the name you will see coming in there, in close up Bank of America, co-naming of the (inaudible), we did it 181st in this area. The first non-Native American who settled in this area, Jan or Juan Rodriguez was a free Black man brought by the Dutch, and he became the first permanent resident in New York City. So we and the new mayor, in 1887, 4,000 Dominican came from where? From Ellis Island. I was a social studies teacher and hat's not reading in the curriculum. People talk about Ellis Island, the place where the European came through. 4,000 came from there in 1887. They were Black, educated Dominican who have been here since that time. But now we have the best. This is the best Dominican mayor that we have in Mayor Eric Adams. He's been there for us. New York City is welcoming from the mayor a commitment to invest $7 million to fund upgrading of this big plaza here.

So this is a result — a commitment of the mayor — this is a result of many leaders that we have seen here. Doctor (inaudible) and many others, that also we will hear. As part of $375 million the mayor announced, Mayor Adams announced in the state of the city to create vibrant new public space in all five boroughs. Again, not only Midtown, not only Long Island City, not only downtown Brooklyn. In all five boroughs with more than 35 percent of New Yorkers they live on poverty line. Those are the places the mayor's saying, "Let's be sure that also we share the love. We share the money." So we are taking the dream of liability, sustainability, beautiful city and turning into a reality, making big investment in our public spaces, supporting our local small businesses, and improving the quality of life that draws so many people to live and work here.

By the way, also, we have YoungWoo who is here. He's one of those business members of this business community who invested almost $400 million where he built the first decent hotel that we have in Washington Heights amd more than 75,000 square feet to be ready to be rented for commercials and government office. So not only the Dominicans who have been living here from the last couple of years, but the business community. They're also looking at the opportunity that we have in northern Manhattan.

This is more than getting stuff done. It is making our city better for all New Yorkers, led by the most progressive mayor that we have ever met in our city, because progressive has to be defined by action. Progressive has to be defined by commitment. Progressive has to be defined not by people that have privilege, but individuals who speak loud and clear in the other community. We are here with this certain investment. This is what we are getting from Mayor Eric Adams. I can't wait to see the new and improved Quisqueya Plaza and to celebrate with all my Dominicans, Latino, Afro-American, Jewish, Irish, and Italian to come here and celebrate who we are, a community of diversity, and to celebrate with all my Dominican brothers and sisters. I want to thank the talented staff of DOT, almost 6,000 men and women that I have the honor, as I got the opportunity from Mayor Adams to lead the largest transportation assisting the whole city, in the whole nation.

Again, Andrew Ronan, Chris Hamby, Emily Weidenhof, they do a great, great job. I also want to acknowledge a great friend that we work together in previous role, but now she's the person who is a city new chief public realm officer, Ya-Ting Liu. Let's give her applause for the great job that she also will be doing, if you don't mind (inaudible) that she's also been on. She's the one that is connecting the non-for-profit, the business community, all the agencies to be sure that we carry on the mayor, the vision of the best mayor that we ever have, the mayor that will continue crossing the gap between the underserved and the privileged New Yorker. Ladies and gentlemen, (speaks in Spanish), the best mayor in the history of the mayor, Eric Adams. Eric Adams!

Mayor Eric Adams: I keep telling people all the time, I was born in Brooklyn, but I'm Dominican, baby. You hear that, borough president?

Commissioner Rodriguez: Yes.

Mayor Adams: No, it's so important, and particularly when you look at it. Thank you, councilman and now, commissioner. You have communicated on behalf of this, you and the current councilwoman. This is such an important initiative and it's just such a generator of resources. Particularly, this plaza's used more than for people coming in, sitting down, enjoying beautiful days. But it is an economic magnet where people come and eat here, socialize, have an opportunity right near transportation, the subway station, they come here, they rest, and then they come and explore the entire community. Dyckman Street means so much. The vibrancy of Dyckman Street really anchors the entire community. It is what Washington Heights depends on to make sure that we attract people to this community.

The renaming is important. The renaming of streets allows us to send a strong message that this is not a monolithic city. It's a city of diversity. There should be reflection in the naming of the streets, the naming of schools, the naming of plazas should reflect that diversity, and this entire team of people who are here is a signal of that. This plaza, back in 2021, was one of the first locations that was permanently created as a plaza to ensure that we utilize these open spaces. The commissioner's doing an amazing job, and our new team members that are joining on how do we redefine our streets and how do we use them appropriately.

This is a financial commitment. We announced it in our state of the city. If we say we are going to do it, we are going to do it. We're going to move it forward and make sure that it happens. It feeds into our overall plan, our plan of dealing with the public safety here in this community. This community has been devastated by those who are repeated offenders and carry out illegal activity. The local precinct up here has a mandate of this must be a safe corridor. Can't be a place where people are driving ATVs, motorcycles on the sidewalk, disrupting the quality of life of the people here in this community.

Far too long, the roads, plazas and parks and other amenities have been associated with communities that are dealing with the level of high-income earners and not dealing with the level of the everyday people who keep this city running all the time. We're saying no to that. That is the message that we're sending of ensuring the diversity of our resources match the diversity of the people who live in this city. So I'm proud to do this renaming today, and this is exactly what I wanted from my commissioner. He's clear on the vision. He advocated for it as a councilperson and now he has the ability to actualize what he visualized during his time as a councilperson. So, let's make sure that we continue to really span out throughout the entire city, find spaces like these and ensure that everyone can participate in the prosperity of this city. Thank you for so much for being here, some of these great leaders from the community. Let's continue to do the great stuff. Thank you. Thank you.

Commissioner Rodriguez: Thank you. Thank you. So now we're going to be doing the unveiling of the street, and we will continue here, listening from the SBS commissioner (inaudible.)

(...)

Commissioner Rodriguez: Okay. So now we will hear from ... We'll continue now. Let's hear now from another person. One of the unique things about this plaza, one of the unique things about this plaza, if you don't mind, (speaks in Spanish), one of unique things about this plaza is that, and you will hear from Susana-

One of the things about this plaza is that, and you will hear it from Susana Osorio, is that this plaza was initiated by the local small business of this community. They have integrated the residents and everyone, but it is so important for me to have a brother, someone who understands the whole city in New York, who is a commissioner for everyone, who is someone that said, day one, "I want to be there, because this plaza is about small businesses." Ladies and gentlemen, let me call Commissioner Kim, the commissioner for SBS.

Commissioner Kevin Kim, Department of Small Business Services: Thank you. Thanks, bro. Good morning, buenos días. Happy 179th birthday to the DR as well. It is incredible to be working with a partner like Commissioner Rodriguez, and of course, Mayor Eric Adams' leadership. We know that these plazas are so critical to small businesses. What people don't really know is that during the pandemic, these open plazas demonstrated that we had an increase of 10 percent of new businesses in areas that had these plazas. It saved over 100,000 jobs.

These plazas are not just for the beautification of the area, but it means employment, it means jobs, it means taxes back to the city. This is an incredibly important day today to be taking this first open street. When you work with an administration that cares about data like that, and says, "What do small businesses need? What do communities need? Let's look at the data." We save jobs, we create new businesses. Let's then invest $375 million into improving realms throughout the city. This is something that the mayor has done since day one of taking office.

He took data on what businesses need. Small businesses, what they needed was easing of regulatory rules and violations. Right when he took office on day four, executive order number two, he helped reform 118 violations, saving small businesses over $8 million annually going forward. These are the kinds of activities that we're really excited to partner with DOT on. We've been with them every step of the way here, supporting all their activities.

I can't explain to you how much Commissioner Rodriguez's commitment to public realms and small businesses meant to this city. Thank you so much.

Commissioner Rodriguez: Thank you. Thank you, commissioner. Now, let's also hear from council member, the local council member, then of course, from my brother, the Manhattan borough president, and two other people. Then we will celebrate. Council Member Carmen De La Rosa.

City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa: Thank you. All right. Good morning, good afternoon. Good afternoon, everybody. Buenas tardes. Today we celebrate Dominican Independence Day. Can we raise our flags? I'm so honored to represent this community, as the first woman to represent District 10, Dominican born immigrant from La República Dominicana. Today, we celebrate our culture, but we not only celebrate our culture, we thank the city of New York. Commissioner Rodriguez — I always want to say council member — Commissioner Rodriguez for his vision for his leadership, Mayor Adams, for their investment in our public spaces.

It is important as a community that was hit so hard by this pandemic that we understand that open spaces equal public health. (Speaks in Spanish.) Today, as we celebrate our independence, we also celebrate a community that is thriving, a community that has grown, one in eight New Yorkers is Dominican. I'm one of those Dominican children that grew up just three blocks away from here, watching these small businesses put my community on the map.

I am so honored to represent this district. I want to thank the small businesses from Dyckman. Dyckman Gardens, Susana, Patepalo. We have Dyckman Bar and Kitchen. We have Il Sole. All these restaurants, our message to you is come uptown. We have the food, we have the culture, we have the space for our communities to thrive and be healthy. We will continue to make sure that our streets are safe as well. Quisqueya means the mother of all lands. In nature, what that really means is that this is a space for us to congregate and share our cultures with one another.

You don't have to be Dominican to like Bachata. You don't have to be Dominican to appreciate the drumbeat, but we also recognize that we sit on indigenous land, and that the Dominican Republic as well is an indigenous land. We recognize the contributions of Dominicans here today, and we will continue to work with our city to make sure that these investments are replicated throughout the district. Then I know the commissioner's vision. His vision is safe streets and just communities. We are grateful.

(Speaks in Spanish.)

Commissioner Rodriguez: Thank you Council member. Now, let's hear from Manhattan borough president, great friend, Mark Levine, and then from the commission of immigrant affairs here, Commissioner Castro.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine: (Speaks in Spanish.) Great to be here with three spectacular commissioners, also my friend Kevin Kim and Manny Castro. (Speaks in Spanish.)

Just briefly, if there's any English speakers in the audience, I'll just say that on this Independence Day for our Dominican community, I want to express my admiration and gratitude for all that this community has done to advance Upper Manhattan, and to improve the business sector and so many other sectors of life here. We see it on Dyckman, and this wonderful public space that came into being during the pandemic is already an incredible success, I think an incredible vindication of what we can do when we think creatively about our precious street space.

Today, we're announcing, or the commissioner's announcing, that we're going to take this to the next level. This investment of $7 million here will really make this a model of what public space can be, reinventing streets. This is the start of an exciting new chapter for Dyckman Plaza, featuring a brand-new street naming. I'm so excited to be part of this. (Speaks in Spanish.) Thank you.

Commissioner Rodriguez: Thank you. Thank you. I want to acknowledge before we hear from Commissioner Castro, and then closing with Susana Osorio who was the businessperson who during Covid, she was there by herself. When most businesses were closed, she was the one opening. I spent a lot of hours with her. She's the one to say, "What about if we try to use the space that used to be used for probably 20 parking spots, and say, 'Let's use it for a pedestrian plaza?'"

We will hear from Susana, but before we hear from those two last speakers, I want to acknowledge Margaret Forgione, my first deputy commissioner (speaks in Spanish.) She is the one. Leon, who is the one also oversees everything on sidewalks, 850 men and women are under his responsibility. He's the one that at the end of this street we say, "How can we upgrade it?" It was important for the local business. They went outside the box, and they said, "Let's get it done." Thank you not only for what you did here, but also for the leadership.

Also, I thank Manhattan borough commissioner, he's the one. Everything that we need, everything is there too. Anthony Perez on Manhattan, and Parks commissioner who also comes from a lot of experience in the Bronx. Also, I mentioned Henry Garrido, the executive director of DC 37. Also, someone that has been there every time, Jeffrey Garcia from the restaurant, and also Wendy Garcia, also our deputy commissioner of NYPD, and (inaudible) also represent the big Latino workers, and many others that were here also who are playing an important role. So now let's hear from Commissioner Castro and then we will close with the great friend Susana Osorio.

Commissioner Manuel Castro: (Speaks in Spanish.) I'll just be really brief. I wanted to both celebrate the Dominican Independence Day with our Dominican community here, but also celebrate the contributions of Dominicans and immigrants in New York. This city would not be the city it is without their contributions. So today I say (Speaks in Spanish.)

Commissioner Rodriguez: I also like to ask Samuel Collado to please join us here. Samuel is the president of the National Supermarket Association. Dominicans own the largest numbers of supermarket in the whole city. And also, we are Adamer Rodriguez and Francisco Marte who both of them represent all the bodega owners here. So, to have them too, it is important also that both of them be here with us, because they represent the dream of so many Dominicans. But now let's hear from Susana. But before that, I would like to ask Samuel to please come and say a few words because we've been in different events since this morning and to have him here is a great honor.

Samuel Collado: Good morning. Good morning. (Speaks in Spanish.) Thank you.

Commissioner Rodriguez: Also, I acknowledge Wilton Cedeno from the Dominican Day Parade. Thank you also Wilton for being here. Isidro from the Chamber of Commerce of Inwood, and also vice chair of Community Board 12 and executive director of Business Improvement. So, this is the whole community here together. Now let's hear from Susana Osorio, the person who is the mayor of this plaza.

Susana Osorio: (Speaks in Spanish.)

Commissioner Rodriguez: Before I take any question, I want to acknowledge Eleazar Bueno, he's also the chair of Community Board 12 who is here with us. And I know that there was somebody else, I think that I recognize him, Dario Oleaga, that some people know. Dario who owns Cocina Taller. But Dario comes from (inaudible), whose piece of art is being shown in Vienna, who is the one that is bringing Dominican American together, who was selling piece of art for more than $40 and $50,000. His piece or art at the United States Ambassador in Spain, Julissa Reynoso. So, this is what Dominican is all about. It's about give us the opportunity and we will show you how we get thing done. If anyone has any questions transportation? 1, 2, 3.

Question: I got two quick questions. One, can somebody just kind of explain the meaning of Quisqueya? What's the significance of it? Just for people that don't know.

Commissioner Rodriguez: It was said before the council member will say it again.

Council Member De La Rosas: Yep. Quisqueya is Taino, it means the mother of all lands. And the Dominican Republic is known as Quisqueya. Quisqueya la bella.

Commissioner Rodriguez: And by the way, I see a lot of people taking a photo. If I'm not the guy, but if I will be the guy who will be high in this place here, I will take this photo with Quisqueya here and Juan Rodriguez across who was... If anyone have any doubt go to Google it and check about Juan Rodriguez, the first non-Native American who settled New York City in 1613. So to have Quisqueya looking at Juan Rodriguez, who those people that don't know how he made it, but he became the first — not first Latino. the first, not first Black — the first non-Native American who settled here. And yet even though we have three and four generations of Dominicans, a lot of people still see Dominicans as recent immigrants. But I say go to Ellis Island because the IDs are there of 4,000 Dominican that came through Ellis Island in 1887. Any other questions for transportation?

Question: Could you just talk briefly about what the $7 million would be put towards? What are some of the upgrades that you're hoping to have here?

Commissioner Rodriguez: Yeah. We're in the early process right now. Most of you know the Plaza Las Américas, Jeffrey, Plaza Las Américas is 175th and on Broadway. So you could see Plaza Las Américas, someone that also work with the street vendors at that time that were organized by the priest, Reverend Lopez and all at the Broadway temple at 173 and Broadway. That plaza came as a result of finding a location with the street vendor, they should have a place where they can sell their product. So also, that plaza that I started, I was there from the beginning, is completely different in the city under my time as a council member. In the previous administration, we invest millions of dollars upgrading Plaza Las Américas. So of course, local artists. Then we have a (inaudible.) And then there's going to be... It's a early process we will hear from the community. The council member will be having us sitting on the table. And asides... Well Emily is here. And I would like to call Emily because obviously everything that we do on plazas is under her leadership.

Emily Weidenhof, Director of Public Space, Department of Transportation: Good morning, everyone. So as part of the capital reconstruction, we'll really work to totally reimagine this space. It will no longer feel like a street. The whole plaza will be one level. We'll be able to add some additional greening, we'll be able to make a little more sense of the bike lane and connect it as one comprehensive public space in the neighborhood.

Commissioner Rodriguez: Thank you. Let's close... I'm sorry.

Question: Just on outdoor dining, I'm hearing there's a council bill in the works to make it permanent. Any thoughts on that? Anything the Department of Transportation is going to need to do to kind of sort this out if that happens?

Commissioner Rodriguez: Yes, we've been in communication, I myself with the speaker, the staff, City Hall. Thanks God that we are moving close to see the bill pass at the Council very soon. And everyone knows that, as we all know, Open Street provide the opportunity of 12,000 restaurant during the pandemic to be able to use the outdoor area. We saved 100,000 jobs. And we know that there's going to be new requirements, new regulation. So we are in the middle of details. We can give you update later on. But the good news is, yes, we are moving to make the Open Restaurant permanent and we are in communication between the administration DOT and the City Council.

Question: (Speaks in Spanish.)

Commissioner Rodriguez: When I came here in 1983, that Bank of America was not a bank at that time. That was a movie theater at that time. And the owner of this establishment. The park view, they used to own a deli at the corner. So that Greek family, they moved when the purpose of the corner was moved from the movie theater in 1983 to be rented for other purposes. And now we have a Bank of America. So, as I said before, I'm the story of all of us, because are you of Irish descent? Are you of Italian descent? Are you of Jewish descent? Are you a woman? Are you a LGBTQ? Are you Black? Are you Latino? Are you Asian? We all know what it is to come to New York City with nothing.

So probably my story is not a story of the granddaughter's (inaudible) who great-grandfather came here with tough time. Now that generation benefit from that time. I'm the story of that generation. I'm the story of someone that still is... English is not my native language, but I know the best way to communicate is through action. Now I'm able to let the people know, yes, look at the building, the Inwood Library. That's the legacy that we're leaving. 14 floors, 177 apartments, a STEM center, the top floor to be used by local artists. When you go up through the whole community here, 207 street, 1,500 new apartments. So, for me, I never thought when I was taking the A train in 1983 to wash dishes at O'Henry Restaurant, that now there's a Bank of America. When I came here, my second job to work in a cafeteria, Food (inaudible) Corporation, one of them at 55 Water Street, that now, after I put myself through City College, a student activist, being a teacher for 15 years, being a Council member for 20 years, organizing with Yolanda and many other in the '80s. Now thanks to the mayor, (inaudible), what I had the previous administration didn't see, because I asked him in my language.

He saw that I could run the largest transportation system in the whole nation and as I had this opportunity, As I celebrate Dominican, as a council member saying, "Yeah, Bachata, yes, Merengue, yes, Son. Yes, Mangú." But the most important thing that we celebrate is the ethic. My brother here, who they can tell a story about someone that owned 10, 15 supermarkets, they used to have a bodega in the 1980s. You know what they did? They worked hard as my father that didn't know how to read and write, but his value, my father could be (inaudible) commissioner.

And my things about the adults, (inaudible) and others who are here? Let's continue being the role model. Let's tell the story to those 1.1 million students that they go to a New York City public school. Let's tell responsibility. When someone who's reconciling, we blame them. But that person became successful? Everyone take credit.

So, for me, I celebrate the Dominican Independence Day. (Speaks in Spanish.) If anyone's been living here for the last 20 years, you don't know the story about this area from here to La Marina. There used to be 10 or 15 cars on fire. There used to be a car that has a battery inside. There used to be a place where little people would live in the community. As we heard from the commissioner, it is the Dominican who say, "How are we going to do it? We know how to do it." So, for me, again, I have an inclusive agenda. I work for all New Yorkers, for the five boroughs. (Speaks in Spanish.) Gracias, everyone. Thank you.

Oh, sorry. We're going to be closing (inaudible) that we've been having back-to-back, through all the event together, and I know that he's here but I'm going to be closing with a word from the Dominican general consul, my good friend, Eligio Jáquez.

Eligio Jáquez, Consul General, Consulate General of Dominican Republic in New York City: Speak in Spanish? (Speaks in Spanish.)