Jerry Orbach Corner

As previously reported, not long ago things weren’t looking so good for those who endorsed having the intersection of 53rd Street and 8th Avenue, in New York City, named in honor of the late Law & Order actor Jerry Orbach.

Orbach’s family petitioned Community Board 5, and even had Sam Waterston present to help plead their cause, but the request was voted down by about “half of the board.” However, like many things in life, there are two sides to this story--namely, the fact that the west side of the corner is controlled by Community Board 4. The New York Times is reporting this morning that the Orbach family has moved closer to getting their wish fulfilled, after Community Board 4 gave its “unanimous approval” to its proposal. The family showed up with signatures from colleagues, supporters, and 35 NYPD officers in tow from Midtown North. The city council has to vote on the renaming next, but its approval seems to be a sure thing.

Orbach and his wife, Elaine, lived nearby for 25 years on what it considered the west side of town, so I guess it’s only fitting that he gets the west corner named in his honor. An interesting footnote: Community Board 5 also previously turned thumbs down on the idea of naming locations after bandleader Guy Lombardo and St. Francis of Assisi.