A section of Church Avenue, extending from East 98th Street to Remsen Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, will be co-named Bob Marley Boulevard in honor of the late reggae singer.

The New York City Council, under the sponsorship of Councilmember Charles Barron (D-42nd District), voted for the co-naming following a proposal from Community Board 17 earlier this year.

Jamaican-born Michael Russell, the chairman of Community Board 17, welcomed the vote, saying the board had hoped that Bob Marley Boulevard would have extended several more blocks to Bedford Avenue. However, Russell thanked the City Council for making the co-naming effort a reality.

“Bob Marley is an icon; an image reproduced on postage stamps, on posters, clothing and many other mediums. The co-naming of Church Avenue, which is the cultural hub of the Caribbean community, will help to energize and revitalize the commercial strip of Church Avenue,” he said.

Assemblyman Nick Perry (D-58th District) is among the community leaders and elected officials who praised the decision to co-name Church Avenue.

“As East Flatbush residents ship and travel on Church Avenue and see Marley’s name on those signposts, it will always remind them of the profound message of the lyrics of one of his more popular songs, One Love. In these times of violence and terrorism and the abundance of guns in our streets, if we can get together and love each other, everything will be all right,” Perry said.

Russell concludes that it was also a profound recognition of Marley’s life and work, adding that it will “serve to remind everyone who travels along the busy thoroughfare of those who came before us and dedicated their lives to create positive and meaningful change.”

A commemorative committee will be created to put the mechanisms in place for the unveiling at a later date. At that time the Marley family, elected officials, the entertainment community and the general public will be invited.