January 9, 2008
Spitzer Proposes Naming Triborough Bridge After RFK
Would a bridge by any other name, bring you to JFK Airport just as smoothly as the Triborough? In all likelihood, yes, but the big question here is should it be renamed after JFK's younger brother, former New York senator Robert F. Kennedy.
The NY Sun reports the Governor will address this during his State of the State address today, making him the latest governor to consider it. Governor Carey planned to rename it after RFK in 1975, but Robert Moses got in the way (typical!). Governor Pataki considered it but never acted (even more typical!), and so now it's Spitzer's turn.
Robert Kennedy Jr. told the Sun his father "would be really, really happy that the bridge was going to be named in his honor. One of the things he made an effort to do was connect people from upstate New York with the city and Long Island. So it's really appropriate because the Triborough physically does that." However, New York City historian and Columbia professor Kenneth Jackson raises the issue of RFK's carpetbagger status, "He really wasn't a resident of New York. It's awful the way he died. He certainly was an important person in American history, just not an important person in New York history."
Should the naming of things be kept simple, and less personal? Or should RFK be honored in NYC? And the Sun recalls a 2004 column by Jack Newfield, who wrote, "Ethel Kennedy's idea of re-naming the Triborough Bridge seems ideal in this way, since it links three boroughs of immigrant diversity. RFK was able to build bridges between blacks and whites, young and old, left and right, rich and poor. He was a bridge over troubled waters."
Photo via AllWaysNY's Flickr.
|
It seems rather pointless to name a landmark after someone who's been dead nearly 40 years.
No one's gonna call this the "RFK bridge" just like no one calls the West Side Highway the "Joe DiMaggio Highway."
When he did his carpetbagger magic, I think RFK had moved somewhere out in Nassau -- is there anything out there named for him, or a statue perhaps?
They should rename it the 'Notorious B.I.G. Bridge'. Then we'll hear, 'Yeah, just take the Biggie Bridge over...'
What? No votes for Isiah Thomas Bridge?
Emily, while your suggestion is by far the best, the Triborough doesn't hit brooklyn, Biggie's 'hood. It connects DAAAA Bronks, Manhattan (said in Woody Allen's voice), and ay-yo kweenz.
Peter, without commenting on the specifics of this situation (RFK/Triborough), there is absolutely no reason not to name a landmark for someone who has been dead for 40 years. I think it actually makes more sense than to name things after people who just died last year (again, not speaking to a specific situation). The point of putting a person's name on a landmark is to both honor and remember their contribution. We do it (or should do it) partly as way to ensure that our kids and grandkids know what that person did for us; so that a little girl will ask "Daddy, who was General Pulaski*?" and will later be able to tell her children that he was a Polish cavalryman who was a leader during the American Revolution and who died fighting with us against Britain. Because sometimes, Peter, we need to know and appreciate what came before us.
*Used simply as an example of someone who has been dead for many decades (about 23), who had something named after him far after his death (eg - General Pulaski Skyway).
why not sell out entirely and name it something like the JP Morgan Chase bridge, or perhaps the ATT&T bridge? thats where all this naming stuff is heading anyway...
To avoid a cult of fraternal personality, let's make it a fair trade. The Triborough Bridge is renamed the RFK Bridge, but JFK International reverts back to Idlewild.
Jackie Robinson parkway anybody?
@Dave Hogarty: That's the best suggestion I've heard all day.
@Jibbly: True, true, but Biggie is the only dead NY'er at the moment I think deserves a bridge named after! I think we start a commitee to get this to happen.
Um, it would have been renamed sooner, except for (dum da dum) Robert Moses. And its no wonder that Professor Jackson, Moses's knee-jerk apologist, is the one taking up the counter-argument now.
Personally, I think NYC should be proud of its association with Robert Kennedy. Go ahead and rename the bridge.
Emily, I think we need a few more decades until we can make that happen, but mark my words it will happen.
PS - I truly believe that RFK was great man, but he certainly isn't "New York" enough to name crucial landmarks after. I'm sure there are institutions out there named after carpetbaggers, but this is the Triborough we're talking 'bout, Willis. There's no way we're changing the name on it and make it stick.
Doesn't Spitzer have anything better to do?
Speaking of carpetbaggers, Hillary Clinton Bridge anyone?
I think Triborough is a very fitting name, but if you insist on renaming it, then let it be after someone just as grand, impressive, and historically significant like Franklin Delano Roosevelt or Theodore Roosevelt.
Given RFK's long and distinguished career serving to the citizens of New York State (about three years), the the memorial in Columbus Park in front of the court house is probably enough. There is probably a CITGO station somewhere that could be named after his son.
If anything, name the bridge after Robert Moses, someone who got the thing built and actually had a career that was in the state. Still, the best option is to keep the status quo.
Given RFK's long and distinguished career serving to the citizens of New York State (about three years), the the memorial in Columbus Park in front of the court house is probably enough. There is probably a CITGO station somewhere that could be named after his son.
If anything, name the bridge after Robert Moses, someone who got the thing built and actually had a career that was in the state. Still, the best option is to keep the status quo.
Wouldn't the dead mobsters who buit the bridge be upset about it being named in honor of former AG Kennedy? Spitzer would be better off naming it the "Democratic Party Bridge", which is what this is all about anyway.