New Haven Independent

MLK Blvd. Looks For A Home

by Thomas MacMillan | June 18, 2009 1:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is no doubt a legacy worthy of having a city street bear his name — but so is Judge Edward Whalley.

That was the opinion of City Plan commissioners (pictured) who met on Wednesday night to consider a proposal to give Whalley Avenue a second title, “The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.” The street, named after “regicide” Judge Edward Whalley won’t easily accommodate two historical figures, the commission noted.

The proposal to re-name Whalley was made last month by Alderman Yusuf Shah.

The commissioners voted to recommend that the Board of Aldermen form an ad hoc committee to look into other possibilities. Commissioners agreed with an idea raised by City Plan Director Karyn Gilvarg, who suggested in her advisory report that a street with an “uninspiring” name like “North Frontage Road” might be better suited as a candidate for re-naming.

Whalley Avenue is one of three streets — along with Goffe and Dixwell — named for the three “regicides,” judges who signed the death warrant against King Charles I of England in 1649. Later pursued by British soldiers, Whalley and Goffe were hidden by New Haveners at what is now known as Judge’s Cave, atop West Rock, thereby securing their place in New Haven history.

City engineer Dick Miller said that the commission should be mindful of the history of the three judges “and what that means to the city of New Haven.”

Dr. King’s legacy deserves to be honored with the naming of “a major thoroughfare” said Alderman Roland Lemar. He recommended that the ad hoc committee look for a new possibility that both sufficiently honors the civil rights leader’s memory and does justice to local history.

Miller pointed out that Whalley Avenue is very densely populated with residents and businesses, who would be inconvenienced by having to change their addresses. A street like North Frontage doesn’t have as many businesses, but is planned to have them in the future, Miller continued, making that street a better candidate.

The commission voted unanimously to recommend the formation of an aldermanic ad hoc committee.

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Comments

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | June 18, 2009 2:17 PM

Great -- I'm not at all sure that MLK himself, who was a humble man, would have ever wanted anything named for him.

Posted by: j | June 18, 2009 2:39 PM

The comedian Chris Rock famously advised, 'If a friend calls you on the telephone and says they're lost on Martin Luther King Boulevard and they want to know what they should do, the best response is 'Run!'

Posted by: westvillecairns | June 18, 2009 3:34 PM

To which I say "amen". Cooler heads prevailed here. Martin Luther King is most deserving of being remembered and honored by the naming of buildings, monuments and thoroughfares - but not at the expense of our City's history. The idea of renaming a road that is only named by a placeholder, and will in our City's future become a major road, seems very wise.

Posted by: Nan Bartow | June 18, 2009 4:17 PM

North Frontage Rd. would sound much better as The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. That change has my vote. Let's let Judge Edward Whalley retain his historical street. He stood up to King Charles I of England by signing a death warrant for him. Then Judge Whalley had to flee for his life along with Judges Goffe and Dixwell. If you haven't visited their hiding place on top of West Rock, do so. Let's give North Frontage Road to Dr. King. He will bring honor and prestige to it.

Posted by: anon | June 18, 2009 4:54 PM

How about building a new, narrow road in the middle of Downtown (halfway between Church and Orange), beginning with a T-junction at Chapel Street then heading south through the empty lot, 55 Church parking lot, and alleyway next to 116 Crown are, then continuing across George Street through the Coliseum site, across the redeveloped Route 34 and finally on to Union Station), and naming it MLK Street?

Build great mixed-use buildings, bars, restaurants and mixed luxury and affordable housing along both sides, and it would become the busiest and most prestigious street in the city.

Let's celebrate MLK's legacy with the renewal of our city in the 21th century, not the mundane affixing of yet another green metal sign to an existing high-speed, pedestrian-unfriendly boulevard like Route 34, Whalley or Boulevard.

Or maybe we can call it DeStefano Street?

Posted by: William Kurtz | June 18, 2009 5:47 PM

'Boulevard' is itself named for another towering figure in state politics: Governor Ella Grasso.

Am I noticing a pattern here? The most unfriendly and inhospitable stretches of road are the ones with which we 'honor' people (i.e. Whalley, Dixwell, ETG, Pearl Harbor)?

Posted by: Robert A. Gibson | June 18, 2009 6:30 PM

I am opposed to renaming Dixwell Avenue in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King. The 17th century regicides Whalley, Goffe and Dixwell are important names in New Haven's history. Their story and the early New Haveners defense of these men's lives from a revengeful English king, Charles II, are significant events to be remembered for all time as part of our local history. One historical figure's importance should not replace another's in our local memorials. New Haven has honored Dr. King with a school. Connecticut and the nation have honored his birthday as a state and federal holiday. We have a local annual march. All of these things honor King's legacy. Whalley, Goffe and Dixwell Avenues should remain as they are as a testament to their namesakes' courage. We best honor Dr. King, not by naming streets or anything else after him, but by serving the needs of the less fortunate of our community and working to promote racial healing, harmony and understanding. That, I am sure, is the highest honor New Haveners could ever give to perpetuate the life and philosophy of Dr. King.

Posted by: anon | June 18, 2009 6:49 PM

Definitely a pattern. DeStefano can reverse the trend by naming New Haven's nicest street after himself. There will be some good opportunities on that huge industrial parcel sitting between Water, Chapel, and Olive, too, but nothing would compare with an inevitable new street right through the heart of the original 9 square grid.

Posted by: Alex | June 18, 2009 10:44 PM

How about Chapel St or College St or Crown St. or Elm?

Posted by: jack | June 19, 2009 1:05 AM

how about renaming the Farmington Canal? Ya know the comedian Cris Rock famously advised...............

MLK Blvd. Looks For A Home

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