Bronx City Council Member Fernando Cabrera wants the Washington Bridge renamed after former New York City Mayor David Dinkins. Legislation to change the bridge name from the Washington Bridge to the David Dinkins-Washington Bridge was introduced by Cabrera at City Hall on Tuesday.
The Washington Bridge crosses the East River between the Bronx and Manhattan at 181st Street.
Dinkins, who began his public service career in 1966, was the 109th mayor of New York City. Though he served only one term from 1989-1993, he has been credited with making the city a safer place after a 30-year spiral into crime and murder. Dinkins’ Safe Streets program became a model for criminal justice and he expanded the force of the New York Police Department by about 25 percent.
At City Hall on Tuesday, Cabrera pointed to Dinkins’ revival of Times Square, the increase in city revenue through special events like Fashion Week, and improvements in housing.
“More housing was developed during his time in a single term than in two terms under Mayor Giuliani,” said Cabrera.
Dinkins, who is 86 years old, now serves a professor in public affairs at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and serves on the board of several non-profit and charitable organizations.
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