BILL NUMBER: S9429
SPONSOR: MYRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the arts and cultural affairs law, in relation to
authorizing the council on the arts to designate Little Panama as a
cultural district
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Given the diversity of languages, cultures, and specific historical
communities within New York City and specifically East 96th Street on
the South, 51h Avenue on the West, East 12511' Street on the North and
East River on the East, having a significant population of Panamanians.
The amendment would designate the area to be called Little Panama.This
Act would provide cultural institutions within the area a designation
allowing grants, technical assistance, or other assistance authorized by
this section as the council deems appropriate.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This culturally designated area would be compact, contiguous and have an
identifiable area called Little Panama which shall be a region in the
city of New York located on Franklin Avenue from its intersection with
President Street to its intersection with Bergen Street. Section 1
amends subdivision 11 of section 3.05 of the arts and cultural affairs
law, as added by chapter 677 of the laws of 2024.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
There is a precedent for such designations within New York City. For
example: the Village, Chinatown, Little Italy and Little Haiti. Such
districts have been proven to provide social cohesion amongst new and
longtime residents, supporting, multigenerational investments while
garnering new opportunities for economic development, communal pride and
better quality of life services. The cultural designation would also
attract tourism and build community ownership.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

Statutes affected:
S9429: 3.05 arts and cultural affairs law, 3.05(11) arts and cultural affairs law