Chair Williams asks about She Built NYC and Elizabeth Jennings Graham monument location

We have been joined by Councilmember Maloney.

And then Councilmember Marte had a question he wanted me to ask.

Part of Create NYC is the She Built New York City initiative to create public monuments that honor women's history.

I have one coming to my district.

One of the planned monuments will honor Elizabeth Jennings Graham, a black woman who in 1854 successfully fought segregation and public transportation in New York City after being kicked off a streetcar a few blocks from here on Pearl and Chatham Streets.

Despite her story taking place here in Lower Manhattan, she built New York City, decided to place her monument outside Grand Central.

And her history took place in Lower Manhattan.

In 2022, Community Board 5 passed a resolution criticizing the location, arguing it would be inappropriate to honor her in a neighborhood that had no relevance to her.

At the same time, Community Board 1 passed a resolution requesting that the monument be placed here in Lower Manhattan.

Why is DCLA still moving forward with placing the monument by Grand Central, and why is it not being placed where her history actually took place?

Thank you for that question, Councilman Marte.

We are actually, our public art team is currently looking into new locations in lower Manhattan and heard that feedback loud and clear.

So stay tuned.

Stay tuned for more, and we can get in touch with Councilmember Marte's office.

Okay, and he is saying that, please do, because they're saying DOT is currently working on a redesign of Chatham Square, right, where Elizabeth Jennings Graham was kicked off the streetcar.

So wanted to know if DCLA has been having any conversations with DOT about including the Maima as part of the redesign.

Okay, we will absolutely be in touch with Councilmember Marte after this.

Okay, do you have any questions, Councilmember Maloney?