Dedication Ceremony Introduces the New Piazza Costanza
The Italy Association of San Diego (LIA) officially unveiled a brand new 2,000 square foot public piazza, Piazza Costanza, on Tuesday, November 28at the corner of Columbia and W. Ash Streets adjacent to Luma Luxury Apartments. The community was invited to attend and celebrate the opening of Little Italy’s newest, and first piazza dedicated to a woman with San Diego leaders, sponsors, and community members. Piazza Costanza honors Margaret “Midge” Costanza, daughter of Sicilian immigrants, Costanza was a social and political activist who served as a top advisor and the first female assistant to President Jimmy Carter. The dedication included commencement words from dignitaries, community leaders, and friends, as well as the unveiling ceremony with a special performance, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.
The ceremony started with a special musical performance leading into opening remarks from LIA’s Chief Executive Administrator, Marco Li Mandri, followed by close friends from her professional career and personal life, and blessing by Our Lady of the Rosary’s Father Joe Tabigue.
“The Little Italy Association has been working with close friends of Midge’s for a few years to bring this dedication and Piazza to fruition. Midge contributed so much to San Diego along her professional journey and was a huge supporter of San Diego’s Little Italy. With the dedication, we were honored to have our newest piazza be the first piazza to be dedicated to a woman, and such an important figure in our community and a friend of Little Italy,” said Marco Li Mandri, chief executive administrator of the Little Italy Association. “The Association has been focused on curating dynamic piazzas in our neighborhood that honor the rich history of Little Italy and the contributions of Italians, creating an environment that welcomes residents and visitors to sit and take in the beautiful ambience. These piazzas have become a staple of what our neighborhood is known for.”
Known for her wit, outspoken manner, and commitment to her convictions, she fought for the rights and dignity of all people, particularly women, the LGBTQ community, and other marginalized groups. The daughter of Sicilian immigrants Midge Costanza became the first City councilwoman in Rochester, New York in 1973. She later rose to become the first female assistant to a U.S. President. Midge moved to San Diego in the 1980s where she was active in numerous organizations and issues. She had the rare ability to bring together people with different viewpoints to accomplish a shared civic goal. In honor of her outstanding service, Piazza Costanza includes a monument with a bronze bust sculpture of Midge Costanza, custom planters with quotes from her with enhanced landscaping, hanging flower baskets, and tables and chairs with umbrellas.
Major contributors to the project included the Lennar Corporation, State of California, County of San Diego, Joan and Irwin Jacobs, the Spoon-Wallace Family, Marco and Laura Li Mandri and Family, Laurie Black and The Lawrence Family, Joe Vecchio, and Bonnie Dumanis and Denise Nelesen . To learn more about Piazza Costanza, visit https://www.littleitalysd.com/explore/piazza-costanza.
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