On September 12, a state board narrowly voted to recognize the Washington Heights-Dominican Historic District, highlighting divisions within the board and the community.

The nomination, spearheaded by the Dominican Studies Institute at CUNY, has drawn criticism for excluding community collaboration. Many residents express concern over the lack of transparency from Community Board 12 about the proposal’s implications, particularly for non-Dominican residents.

Under the New York State Board for Historic Preservation policy, only property owners—representing just 13% of the population—are allowed to provide input on such proposals before a vote. This has fueled concerns that the designation process does not adequately represent the voices of the broader community. As well as the fact that unlike city Landmark Preservation Commission designations, this recognition does not protect the physical infrastructure of buildings. Instead, it offers tax breaks for preservation, leaving questions about the tangible impact of the designation.

#WashingtonHeights, a neighborhood in #UptownManhattan, is home to the largest concentration of Dominicans in the U.S. and remains a culturally rich neighborhood. Amid these challenges, some community members are preserving its heritage through storytelling, documenting its history and culture as a way to honor and safeguard the neighborhood’s legacy.

The nomination is still pending approval from the National Park Service. The Dominican Studies Institute and Community Board 12 could not be reached for comment.

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@nyu_ajo Is Washington Heights the next historic district in NYC? A state board voted for the Washington Heights-Dominican Historic District, but not everyone agrees. #NYCHistory #WashingtonHeights #HistoricDistrict #NYC ♬ original sound – American Journalism Online