East Harlem Puerto Rican Center Gets $20M Investment From NY Gov

EAST HARLEM, NY — The nation's largest university-based research center dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States just received millions in funding from the New York Governor to expand its footprint in East Harlem.

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at the City University of New York (CENTRO) will receive $20 million in funding to expand its archives, library, and physical space.

The funding will bring CENTRO under one roof at the Siberman Building at 2180 Third Ave., near East 119th Street, consolidating its two locations at Hunter College's main campus and at the Hunter College Siberman School of Social Work.

"For generations, New Yorkers of Puerto Rican heritage have been a vital part of our state's cultural tapestry," Hochul said in a news release. "We are proud to be making bold investments that will allow the Center for Puerto Rican Studies to expand and thrive - making El Barrio an even more exciting place to work, learn and live."

Hochul made the announcement on the same day as the annual New York City Puerto Rican Day Parade.

The funding will specifically go to renovating the East Harlem site to modernize the space and allow the facility to recruit more talent.

"As a proud representative of El Barrio and a fellow Puerto Rican, I extend my sincere gratitude to Governor Hochul for her extraordinary investment of $20 million in the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at the City University of New York," East Harlem Council Member Diana Ayala said in a news release. "This significant funding will empower our community, preserve our heritage, and provide invaluable opportunities to learn about the Puerto Rican experience in the United States, which is so close to my heart."

More than 20,000 New Yorkers of Puerto Rican heritage live in East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio.