From now on, 2nd Place between Court and Smith Streets, will also be known as "Frank J. Verderame Way." Frank was an attorney-at-law, a former New York State Assemblyman and a former aide to Mayor Beame. But Carroll Gardeners knew him better as a tireless neighborhood activist. He passed away unexpectedly in December, leaving a huge void in our community.
To honor Frank's memory, his brother John reached out to city officials. With their help, the block on 2nd Place on which he lived will now bear his name. It is a fitting tribute to this true gentleman.
At the unveiling ceremony on Saturday morning, the Verderame family was also presented with a proclamation from Borough President Marty Markowitz.
Afterwards, family, friends and neighbors gathered at the Transit Garden to toast and to speak about the man who meant so much to so many.
Reminding everyone about Frank's tireless fight to keep Public Place as a recreational space for Carroll Gardeners, local resident Linda Mariano stated:
"Naming 2nd Place "Frank Verderame Way" is an honor to Frank's family. It is also an honor and a priviledge for this community...Frank worked hard to have the Public Place site zoned for recreational use...We will see that Frank's mission is honored and upheld. We must see that the Public Place site is for all, and all for the right reasons.FROGG (Friends and Residents Of Greater Gowanus) and CORD (The Coalition For Respectful Development) and other neighborhood organizations will keep up the good fight-and fight it will be- to pursue the best possible solutions for the benefit of all in the community."
Related Reading: Public Fight On Public Place ( The Brooklyn Paper)
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