East Harlem Would Become NY's First 'Cultural District' Under New Bill

EAST HARLEM, NY — East Harlem's rich cultural history is no secret to those who live there — but the neighborhood could gain a new kind of recognition through a new bill in the state legislature.

Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs introduced a bill this week that would allow the city to label El Barrio an official "cultural district" — a designation that does not yet exist under current law, but would be created through Gibbs's bill.

In a statement, Gibbs — who took office in January following a special election — pointed to the "strong Hispanic and Puerto Rican identity" in the neighborhood, where he has lived for much of his life.

"From El Museo del Barrio to the Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center to the small businesses and places of worship lining our streets, there are so many institutions in our neighborhood that make it like no other," he said.

If passed by the legislature, Gibbs's bill would amend the state's arts and cultural affairs law to include mention of the East Harlem district, which would be bounded by East 96th and 125th streets to the north and south; and Fifth Avenue and the East River to the west and east.

Though largely symbolic, Gibbs's office hopes the designation would open up new resources and encourage the city to promote the neighborhood as a cultural hotspot.

"The designation of Spanish Harlem as a cultural district will open the doors of opportunity to an entire new generation not only of Latino artists but of Black, Asian, and Italian artists from the neighborhood," said Eugene Rodriguez, President of El Barrio Theater Group and former Community Board 11 chair, in a statement provided by Gibbs's office.

Gibbs is in the midst of a re-election campaign as he seeks a full, two-year term in the Assembly. His challengers in the June Democratic primary include Tamika Mapp and Wilfredo Lopez.

When neighborhood Democrats chose Gibbs, who is Black, as their nominee in December, his victory signaled a sea change for a seat that had been mostly held by people of Puerto Rican descent in recent decades.