By Jordan Myers

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It’s time to mark your calendars for a community fiesta celebrating the unveiling of Plaza Calle Dos Cinco, a new multicultural outdoor space in the heart of Oklahoma City’s historic Capitol Hill. The ribbon-cutting event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on September 24, as reported by the City of Oklahoma City. Situated on Harvey Avenue, sandwiched between SW 24th and SW 25th Streets and adjacent to the storied Templo De Alabanza, the plaza is drenched in the cultural hues of the neighborhood’s Hispanic roots.

Local residents and visitors alike can look forward to a space that boasts a variety of features, including public art, ornate Talavera tiles, an archway entrance, a gazebo stage for performances and decorative lighting alongside practical amenities such as seating and moveable bollards the plaza has been designed to cater for both special occasions and everyday community engagements. Gloria Torres, the Executive Director of the Capitol Hill Business District, emphasized the plaza’s deep cultural significance, “The plaza is more than just a space, it’s a reflection of our culture, history and the warmth of our community,” in a statement obtained by the City of Oklahoma City.

Under the supervision of the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District, this $2 million project was realized through federal funding appropriated to the City’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative. The initiative aims to collaborate with residents in revitalizing neighborhoods over a five-year period. With this vision, the project is a tangible attestation to the ongoing development and investment in local communities, as reported by the City of Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt lauded the new gathering place as a “powerful reflection of Oklahoma City’s dynamic Latino community,” recognizing the significance of representing diverse perspectives in public spaces, with the plaza at the epicenter of Oklahoma City’s Latino district, where one in every five residents identifies as Latino, this development is a tribute to the culture and contributions of the community which it is set to engage all city residents in its rich traditions, as sttaed by the City of Oklahoma City.

Further commemorating the area’s Latino identity, the ribbon-cutting serves as a prelude to the 20th anniversary of Fiestas de las Américas – Capitol Hill’s signature acknowledgment of Hispanic Heritage Month. On September 27, SW 25th Street is set to blossom into a multicultural thoroughfare, presenting the grand Parade of the Americas. With close to 100 entries from various local schools, organizations, and civic leaders, the event is a vibrant tapestry that extends beyond the confines of the community, featuring an array of food trucks, artisan markets, a children’s zone, along with live music and dance performances by local talents, according to information shared by the City of Oklahoma City.