Please join the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute, the Historic District Council, and Alianza Dominicana in a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the proposal to create a Washington Heights-Dominican Cultural Historic District, in a portion of Washington Heights, to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed historic district will share the space with the Jumel Historic District, currently listed in the National Register for Historic Places.

Who should attend?

People who live within the boundaries of the proposed district, or own property there, business owners, community leaders, and everyone who would like to learn more. See district boundary map, included.

Important note

Including a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places does not infringe on the owner’s rights to alter, change, modify, price, or demolish the owner’s property. The National Register listing is an honorific designation. By having your property located in a National Register listed historic district, you will not have any new limitations imposed on your rights to your property.

Why a Washington Heights-Dominican Cultural Historic District?

For generations, Dominicans have turned Washington Heights into a home for a people. The neighborhood is built out of a wealth of cultural resources, transmitted and passed on from parents to children, from one Dominican to another, and from Dominicans to others. These resources speak directly to the history of Latino migration to the United States. The National Register of Historic Places is the US federal government’s listing of places that are recognized for their cultural and historical significance. National Register listing is different from listing by New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. The National Register does not restrict owners of buildings, as long as those owners are not using state or federal funds or permits. Owners can modify or even demolish a property that has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places as long as they do not require a state or federal permit/funds to undertake it.

Benefits of a National Register Dominican Historic District in Washington Heights

• Homeowners would be eligible to partake in the New York State Historic Homeowner Tax Credit Program. This benefit allows you to claim credits on state income tax for qualifying repairs and rehabilitation to your property.
• People who own income-producing properties (including stores and apartment buildings) may be eligible for State and Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit Programs.
• Buildings within the district would be eligible to purchase and display a plaque.
• The historic significance of the district would be taken into consideration whenever the state or federal government funds, permits, or licenses a project within the district.

More information on National Register proposals

See the discussion by the New York State Office of State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, nysparks.com/shpo/national-register, or contact Chelsea Towers, Survey & National Register Coordinator at (518) 268-2129 or Chelsea.Towers@parks.ny.gov