Municipal Building Named for David Dinkins

The Municipal building in Manhattan on Thursday was officially named for former Mayor David N. Dinkins, the first African American to serve as chief executive of New York City.

Current Mayor Bill de Blasio and his First Lady, Chirlane McCray hosted the ceremony that was well attended by nearly 200 people including current and former city officials, police officials, press, and former supporters of the Dinkins Administration.

Dinkins, the 106th Mayor, faced criticism for increased crime and racial tensions during his term that began in 1990 and ended in 1993. According to biography.com he was also the “the first black mayor of a major U.S. city to be denied reelection.”

Despite Mr. Dinkin’s unflattering reputation, Mr. de Blasio had nothing but praise for his old boss during the naming ceremony.

“We are safer in this very moment because of what he started,” said de Blasio who worked as a staff member for the former mayor’s top political aide, Bill Lynch. De Blasio, having met his wife while working for the Dinkins administration, credits his marriage and children to Mr. Dinkins. The crowd erupted in laughter after he thanked Dinkins for not needing “online dating.”

While some criticized Dinkins, many others supported him.

“Mayor Dinkins not only left an incredible impact on people of color in our city, but left a lasting legacy of progressive values,” Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez said. “He updated and expanded the Human Rights Law and vastly improved the cultural programming of our city to name just a few of his many accomplishments. Today we celebrate a man with decades of public service and New York City in his heart and mind.”

The dapper bow-tied ex-mayor took the podium in front of the building at 1 Chambers Street and basked in the sunlight and praise.

“Mayors come, mayors go,”said the 88-year-old politician, standing side by side with his friend and protege Bill de Blasio, “and a city must and will endure.”