Mayor Adams, NYC DOT, State Senator Cordelle Cleare Establish ‘Malcolm X Plaza’ in Harlem to Celebrate Civil Rights Icon

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 15, 2025  Contact: (212) 839-4850, [email protected]

Mayor Adams, NYC DOT, State Senator Cordelle Cleare Establish 'Malcolm X Plaza' in Harlem to Celebrate Civil Rights Icon

City Installed New Signage Saturday to Officially Designate Malcolm X Plaza on Malcolm X Boulevard, Between Central Park North and 111th Street

NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the establishment of Malcom X Plaza in Harlem to celebrate the civil rights icon's 100th Birthday earlier this year. The plaza dedication of public space along Malcom X Boulevard, between Central Park North and 111th streets, honors the legacy of Malcolm X, who committed his life to the struggle for equality, and his connection to Harlem. NYC DOT celebrated the renaming Saturday with the installation of new signage with the plaza's name. Commissioner Rodriguez was joined on Saturday by State Senator Cordell Cleare, who earlier this year passed legislation to rename the nearby subway stop in Malcolm X's honor.

"We are so proud to continue to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Malcolm X," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "Today's plaza renaming continues to cement the impact that Malcolm X imparted on the Harlem community, and our $1.5-million investment to have a statue commissioned in his honor, again, shows the massive impact he had on this neighborhood, on our city, and on this nation. Thank you to the Department of Transportation and the Parks Department for maintaining this public space. And a big thank you to New York State Senator Cordell Cleare for championing the renaming of the nearby MTA subway station, and for working with our administration to ensure we continue to honor the life and legacy of Malcolm X and other Black leaders in Harlem."

"Malcom X has inspired me and countless others to fight for justice, even when up against greatest forces hoping to preserve the status quo. Plazas like this one around the city are meeting places where people gather to share ideas, build community, and, yes, join in protest for a better tomorrow," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "NYC DOT is honored to fabricate and install this sign today to celebrate the life of Malcolm X and remind New Yorkers of the power of their voice."

"This makes me extremely happy, seeing the community come out together to enjoy this wonderful event," said Senator Cordell Cleare. "This designation makes the Malcolm X Plaza a Department of Transportation Pedestrian Plaza, giving it an official standing. This enables us to secure city funding further to enhance the plaza's beautification and host community programming. This is a major ceremony where we pay our respects to the international human and civil rights activist Malcolm X on the centennial of his birth year. This summer, in a grand ceremony attended by hundreds of community members and elected officials, we renamed a subway station after Malcolm. This event builds on that, with increased government investment."

The newly named plaza on Malcolm X Boulevard was first established as a Parks Department Greenstreet in 2007, when the city closed the southernmost block of Saint Nicholas Avenue in order to expand a traffic island into a larger pedestrian plaza. The space is shaded by more than a dozen trees and features planters with greenery that double as public seating.

Pedestrian plazas are reclaimed streets transformed into vibrant, social public spaces for all to enjoy. Plazas enhance safety, walkability, and access to public transit while supporting community, commerce, and culture.

The Adams administration also announced the allocation of $1.5 million for NYC DOT to commission a statue in Malcolm X's honor. NYC DOT will begin the artist selection process late next year. NYC DOT and its plaza partner, Friends of Malcolm X Plaza, will maintain Malcolm X Plaza with funding and operation support from its Public Space Equity Program. The agency partners with community organizations to oversee nearly 90 plazas across the five boroughs.