Along with two of Marley's children, Ziggy and Karen, Councilman Joe Buscaino led a crowd in song with a verse from Marley's "Redemption Song" during the announcement.
Buscaino said Marley's music "brought people together in times of trouble."
The proclamation came in conjunction with Tuesday's release of a Marley documentary on DVD. The documentary features rare footage of Marley and never-before-seen performances.
Marley is reggae's most iconic figure. His series of hits include "I Shot the Sheriff," "One Love," "Could You Be Loved" and "No Woman, No Cry." Marley died of cancer in 1981 at age 36.
The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.
