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Paterson to designate portion of 21st Avenue as ‘Colombian Corridor’ | Paterson Times

Paterson to designate portion of 21st Avenue as ‘Colombian Corridor’

Colombian-Corridor

The city council is considering designating the section of 21st Avenue between Madison Avenue and East 22nd Street to also be known as “Colombian Corridor” in tribute to one of the city’s ethnic communities.

As many as 5,000 people of Colombian heritage call the Silk City home, reckoned Javier Fernandez of Hijos Y Amigos De Colombia (Sons and Friends of Colombia), the group behind the street naming request.

“We want Colombians from the tri-state area to come to not only spend their money, but they can be proud and say, ‘Hey, I’m going to 21st Avenue to eat the best Colombian bread in the area,’” said Fernandez, whose team gathered 1,000 petitions to request the designation. “A lot of people are not aware that 21st Avenue has a large concentration of Colombians.”

Fernandez said that section of 21st Avenue is dotted on both sides by Colombian-owned businesses like restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and bars. He said there are approximately 20 Colombian businesses in that portion of the street. 21st Avenue is known as “La Ventiuno” to the city’s Spanish speaking communities.

15 Patersonians of Colombian origin attended the city council meeting on Tuesday night to lobby for the designation. The initial request for the designation was submitted back in October of last year, said Fernandez.

The group received a positive reception at the council. “Everybody seems to be in favor of it,” said Fernandez.

Councilman Andre Sayegh, who represents the area where Colombian Corridor will be located, is in support of the designation.

“We want to emphasize the fact that 21st Avenue is an ethnic enclave that’s thriving. There’s a vibrant Colombian presence and it’s only fair we showcase that,” said Sayegh. “Ultimately, we want to monetize the multi-culturalism.”

Sayegh said one way to attract Colombians from throughout New Jersey to Paterson is through this designation.

The council is expected to vote on the designation resolution on Tuesday night. Fernandez, who came to Paterson from Colombia in 1978 at the age of eight, is hoping the resolution can be approved and the signs installed before late July.

The city’s Colombian community began in the 1960s.

Fernandez said it would be nice to have the Colombian Corridor sign installed on 21st Avenue before July 20, 2017. The Republic of Colombia, population 47 million, declared its independence from Spain on July 20, 1810.

For the past 28 years, the Colombian community has raised the yellow, blue, and red flag of their homeland at the historic City Hall building in downtown Paterson, said Fernandez.

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This report was updated on June 22nd, 2017 at 8 a.m.

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  • David Davis

    Why not you just rename Paterson HISPANOLA, I REALLY NOW SEE TRUMPS VIEWPOINTS, If they miss their country that much, go back.

    • Vanne Betancur

      It's not about missing their country, it's about sharing their culture and remembering where they came from.

    • baggman744

      That's OK I guess. I mean let's face it, it's not like white people from the surrounding towns would ever want to drive through Paterson, let alone visit. Adios America!

      • MarquinhoGaucho

        unless to buy heroin

        • baggman744

          Tragically, that's true.

    • MarquinhoGaucho

      What about the black parts of town? The 4th and Northside? They are still American.

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