This expansive cultural resource survey explored the southern half of East Harlem, comprising over 90 city blocks. Its physical character is defined by contrasting building scales: dense five-story tenement blocks interrupted by large tower-in-the-park public housing complexes and bisected by the Park Avenue Railroad Viaduct. These incongruities reflect a multi-dimensional history of land development, class, immigration, self-determination, and community. This survey, partially funded by a grant from the Preservation League of NYS, was the first to focus on cultural resources associated with the Puerto Rican diaspora in New York, with El Barrio as the heart of the Nuyorican community.

The value of cultural heritage in a place like El Barrio necessitated a proactive approach to documentation and research, generally associated with later intensive-level surveys. This included gathering input from residents and individuals knowledgeable about the area’s history to help guide research and challenge findings. The survey's accomplishments include a baseline inventory of all resources, a description of developmental themes, a historic context statement, and recommendations for next steps.

This project was the recipient of two awards in 2022: the Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the Preservation League of NYS and a New York State Preservation Award from the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.