A week after failing to reach agreement on two controversial street name changes, an Atlanta City Council committee is scheduled to revisit the matter Thursday, while also considering a ban on renaming streets altogether.
Councilman Kwanza Hall, who represents downtown Atlanta, where the two changes would occur, has introduced legislation that would stop changes to street names until the city comes up with a new process.
“We have to agree not to do any type of renaming until we have a plan and clarity on commissions. We are without a strategy and plan,” Hall said. “I wouldn’t want us to do anything in the future to dishonor people the city has already chosen to honor in the past. It is better to do it right and thoughtful and intentionally, as opposed to haphazardly.”
Last Monday, the council voted on the work done by two separate commissions
to rename Cone Street to Xernona Clayton Way and Harris Street to John C. Portman Boulevard.
The council, instead of approving the plan, voted 9-5 to kick it back to the committee.
William “Sonny” Walker, who chaired the Portman commission, walked out of the meeting frustrated and disappointed. He said the council never told the commissions not to consider street renamings as it considered ways to honor Clayton and Portman.
“I am surprised. We met all of the provisions we thought they wanted. We followed all of the procedures,” Walker said. “If they want us to continue to function, they have to give us parameters of what expectations they have. I am disappointed we didn’t get a favorable vote after working as long and as hard as we did.”
Councilman Michael Julian Bond said he thinks a solution can be found. Bond is looking for ways to honor voter rights champion Ella Mae Brayboy, who died last November. He stressed, however, that a street name change is not on the table for her.
“There is room for compromise,” Bond said. “I am thinking that people are leaning toward trying to resolve this as tactfully and quickly as possible.”
City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell said he has been working with members of the council to come up with a reasonable solution on not only the Portman and Clayton issues, but on how the city looks at this in the future.
“I have stepped in to get more involved, because I want to get to closure while at the same time trying to move us in a positive direction,” Mitchell said. “ I think the conversation, while it has been contentious, has provided us with an opportunity to do some things that are creative.”
Hall said the city should consider alternatives to street renamings to honor esteemed citizens, such as creating squares, sign toppers and works of art.
“Some people believe the highest honor is to rename a street, but I don’t believe in that,” Hall said. “I have traveled all over the world, and I have seen ways that people have been honored. We have a limited view."
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