New York to restore country medallions on Avenue of the Americas – NBC New York (47)

NEW YORK – New York City commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month with the restoration of 35 medallions representing each of the nations of the Western Hemisphere and will be located along Manhattan’s Avenue of the Americas, or Sixth Avenue, as many know it.

The commissioner of the city’s Department of Transportation, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Affairs, Manuel Castro, and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, Edward Mermelstein, announced Thursday.

And it is that this important Manhattan boulevard got its name because in 1959 they were originally installed in porcelain plates, but over time they have disappeared and there are currently only 18 original medallions along the way.

The new medallions, representing the emblem of each of the nations of the Western Hemisphere, will once again adorn Sixth Avenue between 42nd and 59th streets and this time they will be made of aluminum.

“New York City was built by immigrants, so it’s important to recognize and preserve all the symbolic icons that represent the incredible diversity of our communities,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “In addition to the people of the city, I want to thank the leaders of the proud nations of our hemisphere, some of whom would have attended UN events, only to be greeted by their country’s crumbling signage along one of Manhattan’s main streets. Hispanic Heritage Month, we give the people of those countries, residents and visitors alike, the respect and honor they have earned. “

WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE MEDALLIONS ON THE SIXTH AVENUE OR AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS?

Former New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia renamed Sixth Avenue “Avenue of the Americas” in 1945.

Originally installed during the Eisenhower presidency and the administration of Mayor Robert Wagner, nearly 300 medallions along the boulevard celebrated the unification of the hemisphere after the divisions of World War II.

However, for decades to come, the lockets were largely ignored: made of materials not easily accessible or replaceable, the lockets never received regular maintenance and deteriorated due to rust and corrosion, with many retired for safety reasons. .

Under the administration of Mayor Eric Adams, who is committed to ensuring equal representation throughout the city, Commissioner Rodriguez of the New York City DOT examined the permanent restoration of the medallions.

HOW WILL THE NEW MEDALLIONS BE?

The medallions were designed, fabricated and wind tested entirely by in-house engineers and other DOT personnel. Instead of the previous heavy porcelain enamel, the new circular medallions, three feet in diameter, are made of lighter, more weather-resistant aluminum.

The new medallions will join DOT street lighting with stronger brackets, a design intended to be more durable and easier to maintain, closer to road signs in thickness than standard DOT road sign materials.

For pedestrians, cyclists and drivers along 6th Avenue, 30 feet below, the new medallions will look pretty much the same as the ones they replace.

From co-naming streets and squares to translating street signs into historically multilingual neighborhoods, the restoration of the Avenue of the Americas medallions offers the city the opportunity to reflect the many backgrounds and nationalities of those who call New York City. .

“Our administration is very excited to honor Hispanic Heritage Month by doing something the city’s immigrant communities have been asking for for so long: restoring national medallions along the Avenue of the Americas,” said the New York City Mayor. City, Eric Adams. “These medallions represent the best of the city: people who come from all over in search of a better life, helping to make this the largest city in the world.”

WHERE CAN I SEE THEM?

Once again they will grace Sixth Avenue between 42nd and 59th Streets.

WHICH ARE THE 35 COUNTRIES WE WILL FIND IN THE AMERICAS AVENUE?

1. Antigua Barbuda.
2. Argentina.
3. Bahamas.
4. Barbados.
5. Belice.
6. Bolivia.
7. Brazil.
8. Canada.
9. Chile.
10. Colombia.
11. Costa Rica.
12. Cuba.
13. Dominica.
14. Dominican Republic.
15. Ecuador.
16. The Saviour.
17. Grenade.
18. Guatemala.
19. Guyana.
20. Haiti.
21. Honduras.
22. Jamaica.
23. Mexico.
24. Nicaragua.
25. Panama.
26. Paraguay.
27. Peru.
28. Saint Kitts and Nevis.
29. Saint Lucia.
30. San Vincenzo.
31. Suriname.
32. Trinidad and Tobago.
33. Uruguay.
34. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
35. Venezuela.