HomeMy WebLinkAboutG-25-232 Staff Report 032524
ITEM NO.: 1 FILE NO.: G-25-232
NAME: Maryland Avenue/South Taylor Street Name Change to “Darius Nelson Way”
LOCATION: Between Fair Park Blvd. & W. 12th Street
APPLICANT:
Michelle Nelson
St. Mark Baptist Church
5722 W. 12th Street
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A. NEIGHBORHOOD NOTIFICATIONS:
All owners of property which abuts the subject portion of Maryland Avenue & S. Taylor Street were notified of the public hearing.
B. ANALYSIS:
The applicant requests to rename Maryland Street/S. Taylor Street, between Fair Park Blvd. and W. 12th Street, adjacent to St. Mark Baptist Church, to “Darius Nelson Way”. The applicant
requests the street name change to honor longtime member Darius Nelson.
Darius Nelson, a Little Rock native, served as the Minister/Pastor of Worship and Arts at St. Mark Baptist Church Little Rock for 23 years before his passing on October 6, 2023. He was
a trailblazer and trendsetter in the gospel music ministry who brought national recognition and funding to Arkansas through his musical gifting and leadership. Darius demonstrated integrity,
unwavering commitment, and a spirit of excellence in his personal and professional life. Although he wanted his music to be enjoyable, Darius’ primary goal was impacting people, not
simply entertaining them.
While attending the award-winning Philander Smith Collegiate Choir on a full choral scholarship, Darius performed for the National Democratic Convention and at the Inauguration of President
William “Bill” Jefferson Clinton. Darius graduated with a degree in Social Work and worked for 10 years for Children and Family Services.
In 2000, Darius was hired as full-time Worship Leader at St. Mark Baptist Church. He served at the Little Rock and Jacksonville locations as leader of the Praise Team, a group which
became a model for many area worship teams. Darius led the entire Music & Arts Department at St. Mark and in 2005 was promoted to Minister of Music.
The applicant submitted a petition signed by residential and business owners along the length of the proposed street name change which includes Mr. Gary Iverson, President of the Oak
Forest Neighborhood Association.
C. STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the requested Street Name Change.