WILLIAMSBURG — A Manhattan Avenue block will be co-named after Vincent Abate, Williamsburg Community Board 1's longest serving chairman who died at age 96 earlier this year.
Manhattan Avenue between Metropolitan Avenue and Conselyea Street will now be co-named Vincent Abate Way, according to a memo approved by the City Council on Friday.
Abate lived in the neighborhood nearly his entire life and dedicated much of his time to volunteering in the community. He ultimately led the board for 34 years.
He was known for leading the board during cultural shifts in the neighborhood and pushing for changes like the revitalization of McCarren Park and the reopening of the park's pool.
A local playground in the park was also named after him in 1993 — making him one of the few living individuals at the time to gain the honor.
"Our community board is delighted to have supported this street corner dedication," current chair Dealice Fuller said in a statement.
Another block in the neighborhood will also be co-named.
The City Council approved giving Leonard Street between Boerum Moore streets the name Mitchell-Lama Way, dedicated to housing legislation by State Senator MacNeil Mitchell and Assemblyman Alfred A. Lama.
Mitchell-Lama housing allowed private developers and nonprofits to receive property tax abatements and low-interest mortgages in exchange for keeping rents low and limiting profits.
Leonard Street borders Williamsburg's own Mitchell-Lama housing complex Lindsay Park Housing Corporation.
The affordable co-op offers more than 2,700 units of housing, supervised by the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
