AGENDA #7
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Council
Naming Committee
Mayor pro tem Edith Wiggins
Council Member Sally Greene
Council Member Bill Strom
Council Member Jim Ward
SUBJECT: Resolution to Rename Martin Luther King, Jr. Street “Jackie Robinson Street”
DATE: April 5, 2005
Tonight, the Council will consider a recommendation from the Council Naming Committee to rename Martin Luther King, Jr. Street “Jackie Robinson Street.” In a survey of residents, this street name received the most support. The Committee recommends that the Council adopt the attached resolution to rename this street.
BACKGROUND
At a public forum held on March 21, 2005, resident Janie Riggsbee spoke in favor of the proposed street name. Ms. Riggsbee has lived on this street for 23 years. Jack Ball, director of Emergency Management Services for Orange County, said the proposed street name was reviewed and found acceptable for 911 emergency response purposes.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Street will be renamed to avoid duplication with the renamed Airport Road, which soon will take the name Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. The Council approved on December 6, 2004, a Special Committee’s primary recommendation to change the name of Airport Road to Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Both street renamings are scheduled to occur on May 8, which marks the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit to Chapel Hill.
DISCUSSION
The Council Naming Committee invited residents of the Colony Woods West neighborhood to meetings on March 8 and March 15 to discuss the renaming of Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. The committee emphasized its willingness to hear any and all ideas for street names, offering themes of People, Places, Things, Events, Ideas, Affordable Housing, Civil Rights, Education, Music or Entertainment, and Politics. The committee stated that the committee would not recommend names of living persons.
The Council Naming Committee has worked to engage in the renaming process the residents of the Colony Woods West neighborhood, which encompasses Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. In a door-to-door survey, residents from about 30 homes in the neighborhood provided suggestions for new street names (Attachment 1).
This list of 12 street names suggested by these residents was reviewed by the Engineering Department and the Department of Emergency Management for Orange County for duplication with other street names in Orange County, and 10 names were removed from the list. The remaining two names – Harriett Tubman and Stafford – were taken to the residents who live in 12 homes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. Of these two names, the residents selected Stafford (Attachment 2).
Because the name holds no cultural or historical significance to the community and was suggested by someone who does not live on Martin Luther King Street, the Council Naming Committee recommends that it be removed it from consideration.
In an effort to support the original choices suggested by residents of Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, the committee recommended for their consideration the following street names: Jackie Robinson, Garrett Morgan and Harriett Tubman. Housing staff surveyed the residents for their top choice, which was Jackie Robinson Street, receiving the most cumulative votes in first, second and third place rankings (Attachment 3).
OTHER ISSUES
In addition to changing the name of the street, the Council Naming Committee responds to a recommendation from Engineering, Fire and Police departments. This recommendation is to change single-digit address numbers along Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. Orange County Emergency Management Services’ 911 Address Verification Project is expected to be under way to bring single-digit addresses into conformity with the 911 Emergency Response System. To avoid the problem that these residents would undergo because of a second address change in one year, it is recommended that the numbers be brought into conformity at the same time as the street name change.
ABOUT THE RECOMMENDED STREET NAME
The following information is excerpted from a biography from The Jackie
Robinson Foundation (additional information available in Attachment 5): “Jack
Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia, on January 31, 1919, the youngest of five children of Jerry and Mallie Robinson. He grew up in Pasadena, California, and lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track at UCLA. He was widely
regarded as the finest all-around athlete in the United States at that time.
“After three years in the Army, he played with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Negro League in 1945. Later that year, in a historic move that ended decades of discrimination against blacks in baseball, he signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. After a successful season in 1946 with its farm club, the Montreal Royals, he became the first black player in the Major Leagues since the nineteenth century.
“Robinson’s history-making achievements in baseball were only part of his extraordinary life and legacy. He made his gift for the game into a forum for all of America to engage in a conversation that would leave a lasting impact on almost every facet of our society. His outspoken leadership on issues of civil and human rights continued throughout his years as a corporate executive, civil servant, and major figure in national politics.
“In 1957, Robinson became the Vice President of Chock Full O’ Nuts, a coffee and restaurant chain. He later co-founded Freedom National Bank of Harlem, where he was Chairman of the Board from 1964 to 1972. In 1970, he organized the Jackie Robinson Construction Corporation. In both banking and construction his major aim was to contribute to the improvement of living conditions for Black Americans, especially in the major metropolitan areas.
“At the same time, Jackie Robinson was also deeply concerned with the struggle for civil rights. Starting in 1957, he traveled extensively to raise funds for the NAACP. These efforts led to close relationships with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other prominent leaders. He was also a staunch supporter of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai Brith. His concern with politics led him to influence leaders such as presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Nixon; Hubert Humphrey and Nelson Rockefeller. In 1964, he resigned from Chock Full O’ Nuts to work full time on the campaign of Governor Rockefeller, who later appointed him as Special Assistant of Community Affairs. In 1968, he campaigned on behalf of Vice President Hubert Humphrey in his presidential bid.”
RECOMMENDATION
The Council Naming Committee recommends that “Jackie Robinson Street” be considered as the new street name and that the Council adopt the attached resolution. In addition, the housing numbers of this street will be changed for conformity with the 911 Emergency Response System. Town staff members are requested to assist residents of the street with information and guidance that will help them make the necessary changes to their addresses.
ATTACHMENTS
2. Results of Vote in First Survey of Martin Luther King, Jr. Street (p. 7).
3. Results of Vote in Second Survey of Martin Luther King, Jr. Street (p. 8).
4. Public Forum Notice for Newspaper (p. 9).
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COUNCIL NAMING COMMITTEE TO RENAME MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. STREET “JACKIE ROBINSON STREET,” THANKING THE RESIDENTS OF THE COLONY WOODS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. STREET FOR THEIR STREET NAME SUGGESTIONS, AND DIRECTING THE MANAGER TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS (2005-04-05/R-10)
WHEREAS, on Dec. 6, 2004, the Council voted to rename Airport Road in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, the renaming of an existing Martin Luther King, Jr. Street is necessary to avoid duplication; and
WHEREAS, the Council Naming Committee was charged with making recommendations to the Council on the renaming of the existing Martin Luther King, Jr. Street;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council accepts the recommendation of the Council Naming Committee to Rename Martin Luther King, Jr. Street as “Jackie Robinson Street.” The Council also extends its thanks to the residents of the Colony Woods West neighborhood and Martin Luther King, Jr. Street for their participation in the renaming process and for their anticipated effort to transition to a new address.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council also directs the Manager to conduct the following activities:
1. Assist individuals affected by the renaming with transition information and guidance that will help them make the necessary changes to their addresses.
2. Change the housing numbers on Martin Luther King, Jr. Street to bring these into conformity with countywide 911 emergency protocols.
3. Implement the street name change with the fabrication and installation of new street signs by May 8, 2005.
4. Seek to involve residents of Martin Luther King, Jr. Street in the naming celebration of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
This the 5th day of April, 2005.