New York City has an administrative process to co-name streets in honor of individuals or entities whose contributions to society have had a lasting impact. Though the street retains its original name on the official City Map, an honorary co-name may be added upon a majority vote of the City Council, and with Mayoral approval. As the appointed local advisory body, Community Boards are traditionally consulted first in honorary street co-naming proposals, and have independent authority to determine the criteria for their recommendation. Streets located within the boundaries of Brooklyn Community District 2 are considered for recommendation to City Council based on the following criteria established by the Board.
Standards
Brooklyn Community Board 2 believes that large numbers of street co-namings diminishes the distinction bestowed upon honorees. As such, the Board upholds the following standards:
Individual Candidates:
- Must be deceased for a period of three (3) years before being considered for an honorary naming, to provide all parties with the perspective gained only by time;
- Must be New York City natives or long-standing residents of particular importance to the specific street or neighborhood where the co-naming is proposed;
- Must be of enduring or lasting interest to large segments of the New York City population, or who have undertaken an act or acts of enduring or lasting interest to the community; and
- Whose importance to New York City or whose enduring interest is a result of exemplary acts or achievements which reflect positively on the city.
Organizational Candidates:
- Must be of particular importance to New York City;
- Must be of enduring or lasting interest to large segments of the New York City population, and have undertaken acts of enduring or lasting interest to the community; and
- Whose importance to New York City or whose enduring interest is a result of exemplary acts or achievements which reflect positively on the city.
Process
The proposal is first presented to a Community Board Committee in a public hearing which is open to all interested members of the public. The Committee may vote to pass a recommendation to the full Community Board, who may then vote to make a formal recommendation to the relevant City Council Member. City Council typically reviews street co-naming proposals twice per year, in April and November.
Application
Email all items to the District Office at bk02@cb.nyc.gov by January 20 for Spring Review, or by August 20 for Fall Review.
Download the application checklist here (updated Aug 16, 2024).