Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty today presided over the renaming of the Sanitation Brooklyn North 4 District Garage in Bushwick in honor of Sanitation Worker Eva Barrientos, who died in the line of duty in 2004.

"During her life, Ava showed us that it is possible to have it all and to do it all," said Mayor Bloomberg. "She made the City a better place for eight and a quarter million New Yorkers who never had the good fortune to meet her. Eva's name on this new building for Brooklyn North 4 District Garage will be a reminder to all of her colleagues and future Sanitation Workers of her unwavering dedication to duty as well as her great service to our City.  We will never forget her."

"Eva was truly one of New York's Strongest, and we are honored to rename this brand new garage in remembrance of her," said Commissioner Doherty.  "Sanitation Worker Barrientos' memory will live on forever and this plaque will let anyone who passes through the garage's doors know that she served New York City with love, honor, and distinction.  We are grateful to the Barrientos family - especially Eva's children - for allowing the Department to honor her for all that she gave to us." 

Sanitation Worker Barrientos began her career with the Sanitation Department on September 11, 1995 and was assigned to the Brooklyn North 4 District Garage.  On January 26, 2004, she was pinned by the mechanical arms of an EZ Pak collection truck and suffered fatal chest injuries as she attempted to dislodge a refuse bag that was preventing the hopper door from closing.  She is survived by her son Melvin, 26, and her two daughters Mayonna, 18, and Raisa, 17.

The new 110, 000 sq. ft. Brooklyn North 4 District Garage is located at 161 Varick Avenue, and shares the building with Brooklyn North 1 District Garage and the Brooklyn Borough Office.  The building's unique design was lauded by the Design Commission and was awarded the Design Commission Design Excellence Award in 2000.  Brooklyn North 4 houses 110 employees who operate 34 collection trucks, 12 mechanical brooms, eight EZ Pak collection trucks, and three salt spreaders.