The City of Ithaca’s Board of Public Works unanimously passed a resolution yesterday that dually designates State Street, one of the city’s major thoroughfares, as Martin Luther King Jr. Street, ending a nearly five-year long contentious debate over the street’s renaming.
The double name will become effective on Jan. 19, as part of the city’s annual celebration of King’s birthday. Residences and businesses will have the option of retaining their State Street mailing address or adopting a new Martin Luther King Jr. Street address.