East Harlem's La Placita Reopens After $5.5 Million Renovation

EAST HARLEM, NY — A beloved East Harlem community space reopened last week after a $5.5 million renovation project funded by former City Council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito when she represented the neighborhood, city officials said.

Mark-Viverito and her successor in the City Council Diana Ayala held a ribbon cutting ceremony last week at the newly-renovated La Placitca, the outdoor space at La Marqueta on Park Avenue and East 115th Street. The new La Placita features upgraded lighting and seating fixtures, new restrooms, concession and exhibition spaces and a retractable stage, city officials said.

La Marqueta and La Placita are both operated by the city Economic Development Corporation.

"La Placita is a beloved community space that is so culturally important for the East Harlem community, and we are proud to have made upgrades to ensure the space meets the needs of the residents who gather there," NYCEDC Chief Operating Officer Rachel Loeb said in a statement.

The first event held at the new La Placita was a Halloween party for neighborhood children, city officials said. Regular events held at La Placita such as Salsa Saturdays and La Marqueta de Ambulante will return to the space following the renovation. La Placita was first opened to the public in 2014.

"Today’s reopening is another step forward in the revitalization of La Marqueta, which is an investment our community has long yearned for. I thank my predecessor, former Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, as well as EDC and their partners, for providing the resources to transform this beloved space," Ayala said in a statement.