Ricardo Morales, chairman of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and council member Gail Brewer recognized the “Amsterdam Houses.” They are 24 buildings grouped between 61st and 64th St. just west of Columbus Circle.
“The Amsterdam houses were created in 1948 for World War II soldiers who were coming home” said Brewer. “When it was first developed people moved here from San Juan Hill including a lot of musicians.” San Juan Hill is a low income neighborhood that was razed so the Lincoln Center could be built.
A framed certificate of recognition was presented to Margarita Curet, the president of the Amsterdam Houses projects, in the building’s lobby on Monday. Curet received the certificate on behalf of the entire staff, volunteers, and the projects themselves.
“Were celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Amsterdam Houses,” said Morales. “Today is also the 60th anniversary of the NYCHA … The Mayor should be commended for his extraordinary support of public housing.”
According to Brewer, jazz great Thelonious Monk, former chairman of the NYCHA Rueben Franco, and current city council man Robert Jackson all grew up in the Amsterdam Houses.
Curet moved into the Amsterdam Houses in 1960 with two small children and two more were born there.
