The City Council conducts at least two votes a year to officially change the names of New York City streets. The date of these votes changes every year, but they predominantly happen in the Spring and Fall. In order for a street co-naming to be voted into law at the next opportunity, our office would need interested parties to follow the following steps as soon as possible:

Step 1: Submit An Inquiry

Reach out to the office of Council Member Williams to express an interest in a street co-naming. Our office will record your contact information and update you on the Council timeline for you to plan your advocacy accordingly. Applications must satisfy the requirements below for such an honor:

An individual who:

• Is deceased; and
• Was a New York City resident or native; or
• Was an individual of particular importance to a significant population of New York City; and
• Whose contributions to art, science, culture, politics, education, society or health
• and safety have a lasting positive impact on a city community, the city, the state, the country or the world; or
• Who knowingly risked their own life to save the life of another person in an act of heroism above and beyond the call of duty; or
• Who engaged in extensive community involvement or activism, including, but not
• limited to, the providing of aid to members of a community in need; or
• Was a uniformed member of the Department of Correction, the Fire Department, the Police Department or the Department of Sanitation who died in the line of duty.

Organizations or Cultural Works that have:

1. Had an enduring or lasting impact on large segments of the City’s population, or have undertaken an act or acts that had an enduring or lasting impact on a community; and
2. Whose importance to the city or whose enduring or lasting impact is a result of exemplary acts or achievements which reflect positively on the city.

Step 2: Seek Opinion of the Community Board

Seek an advisory opinion from the local Community Board where the street is located. Please contact the local Community Board to alert them of your interest immediately and discuss their internal process because Council Member Williams takes their opinion into consideration. They are given an opportunity before every Council vote to provide an advisory vote of support or rejection. Most Community Boards will ask for a demonstration of support from the residents on the block and/or greater community, as a part of your application. You should be ready to collect petitions and/or letters of support to strengthen your case to the Community Board. Click here to find your Community Board.

Step 3: Compile An Application for the City Council

With a letter from the Community Board expressing their opinion on the matter, Council Member Williams will make a determination if she wants to submit your application for approval by the New York City Council before their next vote in Spring or Fall. Applicants should submit completed application packets with the material below before the official deadline of the City Council. If an applicant does not meet this deadline, they will need to wait for the following cycle to have the co-naming voted into law. 

When you are ready to move forward with this co-naming, please send our office all of the following via email to district27@council.nyc.gov:

• letters in support of the co-naming.
• the reason why the location of the co-naming street sign was chosen.
• a community board approval letter, if available.
• a biography of the person for whom the co-naming is being proposed, which must include the dates of birth and death, or a description of the organization being considered and relevant background information; and
• a statement whether any family members of the deceased person for whom a co-naming is being sought were consulted regarding the proposal; and
• per DOT policy, the co-naming may only contain 36 characters, including spaces, so that the name can adequately fit on a street sign.

Step 4: Vote By City Council & Ceremony

With the successful vote by the City Council, our office would partner with the applicant to conduct a street co-naming ceremony by providing a podium, chairs, sound amplification and other basic amenities to ensure the unveiling is conducted with due respect. Monetary sponsorship, guest speakers, food or additional resources are coordinated by the applicant for any such event.