Washington Heights Residents Worry About Their Changing Neighborhood

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, New York

 “It’s disrespectful for us Hispanics/Latinos who have built the culture around this neighborhood of Dyckman. It’s what makes these places unique, special and feel like home,” said Addy Bonilla, a senior at City College Academy of the Arts high school (CCAA). She and other young locals are concerned that newly constructed and renovated buildings will bring higher income people to the neighborhood, raising rents and forcing out longtime residents.

“Washington Heights and Inwood are known as the Little Dominican Republic, but as the demographic is changing, we’re losing ourselves to accommodate the new incomers,” said Jamari Ferran, a CCAA senior. 

Quisqueya Plaza on Dyckman Street often feels like the heart of the community and reflects Dominican traditions. The plaza closes down for special events and holidays created by the community as families gather and many visitors come to celebrate with music, food stands, and dancing. Mamasushi, Papasito and Mamajuana Cafe are popular Latin restaurants you can find around the plaza. People fear losing these important parts of the community.

Jennifer Perez, another CCAA senior, said “Some tenants no longer feel safe in their homes because the security measures the buildings are supposed to have no longer work. It’s rare to see an inspector even after several complaints.”

Alina Cecilio, also a senior at the high school, agrees. “In my building,” she said, “there’s a lack of security on the door meaning anyone can come in whether they’re residents or not. They fix it and the next day it’s back to how it was, anyone can come in. Considering there’s people who do drugs and come into the premises of the building, their consciousness changes so one can expect the worst to happen, especially the moms with small children.”

The students we talked to and other residents of Washington Heights fear that landlords will get rid of low income families and take down the old buildings. They acknowledge that the new buildings look good and can be used for more schools, work space, and somewhat low-income housing. But they question if there will be enough affordable housing for people who live here now.

Washington Heights-new construction rises above the old. Photo by Rosemarie Gonzalez.

Forty Six Fifty by Arden is an example of what is coming. It’s an apartment complex still under construction. They advertise on Google, “New Luxury Rentals,” and show 2.6 star ratings. It’s the only tall building in the neighborhood. While this building was being introduced some in the community thought about moving in. Some said, “What’s the difference if it’s still in the neighborhood?” But the new building seems designed to isolate its residents from the Dominican traditions in the neighborhood. It has a gym and game rooms for adults and children that could keep them separated from the community and vibrant traditions like the celebrations in Quisqueya Plaza.

The new buildings rising up above the old seem like an insult to young people who grew up in the neighborhood. “Everytime I see new buildings from the train views or on the walk to school, I can’t help but feel that they are trying to get a different demographic into my Washington Heights,” said Jamari Ferran.