HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOD Staff Report 070124OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATION
MAY 21, 2024 AGENDA
Subject
Resolution renaming the
portion of Maryland
Avenue/S. Taylor Street,
between Fair Park Blvd. and
W. 12th Street, to "Darius
Nelson Way". (G-25-232)
Submitted by:
Department of Planning and
Development
SYNOPSIS
FISCAL IMPACT
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND
Action Required
Ordinance
Resolution
Approval
Information Report
Approved By
Emily Cox
Interim City Manager
Dr. Michelle Nelson proposes to rename the portion of
Maryland Avenue/S. Taylor Street, located between Fair
Park Blvd. and W. 12th Street, to "Darius Nelson Way".
I None
Approval of the Resolution.
The applicant requests to rename Maryland Street/S. Taylor
Street, between Fair Park Blvd. and W. 12th Street to
"Darius Nelson Way".
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.
BACKGROUND
CONTINUED
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.
On April 11, 2024, the Planning Commission voted
11 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent, as part of the Consent Agenda,
to approve Street Name Change. There were no objectors
present.
All owners of property located within 300 feet of the site
and all neighborhood associations registered with The City
of Little Rock were notified of the public hearing.
Please see the attached Planning Commission minute
record for the complete staff analysis.
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RESOLUTION NO.
3 A RESOLUTION TO CHANGE THE NAME OF MARYLAND
4 AVENUE/SOUTH TAYLOR STREET, LOCATED BETWEEN
5 FAIR PARK BLVD. AND W. 12TH STREET (G-25-232); AND FOR
6 OTHER PURPOSES.
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8 WHEREAS, pursuant to Little Rock, Ark., Rev. Code § 31-324 (1988), has filed a
9 petition to change the name of Maryland Avenue/South Taylor Street, located between Fair
10 Park Blvd. and W. 121h Street to Darius Nelson Way; and,
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12 WHEREAS, the Little Rock Planning Commission, at its April 11, 2024 meeting,
13 voted to recommend approval of the proposed street name change with a vote of 11 ayes,
14 0 nays and 0 absent.
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16 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
17 OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
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19 SECTION 1. The name of Maryland Avenue/South Taylor Street, located between
20 Fair Park Blvd. and W. 12th Street is hereby changed to Darius Nelson Way.
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22 SECTION 2. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption
23 and the City Manager is hereby directed to notify all departments of said change.
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25 SECTION 3. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence,
26 clause, phrase, or word of this resolution is declared or adjudged to be invalid or
27 unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of the
28 ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged
29 invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of the ordinance.
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SECTION 4. Repealer. All laws, ordinances, resolutions, or parts of the same, that
are inconsistent with the provisions of this resolution, are hereby repealed to the extent of such
inconsistency.
ADOPTED:
ATTEST:
Susan Langley, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
17 Thomas M. Carpenter, City Attorney
18 H
19 H
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APPROVED:
Frank Scott, Jr., Mayor
FILE NO.: G-25-232
NAME: Maryland Avenue/South Taylor Street Name Change to "Darius Nelson Way"
LOCATION: Between Fair Park Blvd. & W. 12t" Street
APPLICANT:
Dr. Michelle Nelson
106 Dijon Court
Maumelle, AR 72113
A. NEIGHBORHOOD NOTIFICATIO
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. 12t' 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.
FILE NO.: G-25-232 (Cont.
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.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (APRIL 11, 2024)
The applicant was present. There were no persons registered in opposition. Staff
presented the item and a recommendation of approval as outlined in the "staff analysis"
above. The item remained on the Consent Agenda for Approval. The vote was 11 ayes,
and 0 nays. The application was approved.
K