New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday hailed Brooklyn for symbolizing “America’s story” after the Democratic National Committee selected the borough as one of three finalists to host the party’s 2016 presidential convention.

The committee said it is considering the weeks of July 18, July 25 and Aug. 22 for the convention and narrowed its choice of host city to New York, Philadelphia and Columbus, Ohio, after eliminating Birmingham, Ala., and Phoenix from consideration. The committee plans to announce the host city and convention dates early next year.

“We’re thrilled to move to the next step of the selection process to determine where Democrats will come together to nominate the 45th president of the United States,” said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, the committee’s chairwoman.

“We are fortunate to have such a diverse and vibrant group of cities interested in hosting this special event,” she said.

In the coming weeks, the three cities will begin negotiating the terms of the “master contract,” which includes outlining all aspects of their fundraising plans.