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An ordinance providing the honorary street name designation of “Charles Dungey Way” for a portion of 40th Avenue North.
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WHEREAS, Charles Dungey, Jr., was an internationally recognized jazz bassist and vocalist. He left an indelible legacy; and
WHEREAS, he devoted his professional career to jazz performance and education; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, he toured with Pearl Bailey and Sammy Davis, Jr; played in the orchestra for the syndicated Mike Douglas Show, and worked alongside jazz greats as Milt Jackson, Eartha Kitt, Betty Carter, and Hank Crawford; and
WHEREAS, locally, he was the first black bassist with the Nashville Symphony in the 1970s. He also served as a faculty member at Tennessee State University, which has an endowment in his name and memory, and as an instructor at the Nashville Jazz Workshop, which also has a scholarship named in his memory; and
WHEREAS, Charles Dungey, Jr., passed away on September 22, 2003. It is fitting and proper that a portion of 40th Avenue North, near where his father’s landmark establishment Deborah’s Casino Royale Supper Club once stood, be designated in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 13.08 of the Metropolitan Code provides for the designation of honorary street names and signs without amending the Official Street and Alley Acceptance and Maintenance Map for The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, and without requiring residents and businesses to change their address.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That 40th Avenue North between Indiana Avenue and Clifton Avenue is hereby designated with the honorary street name of “Charles Dungey Way”.
Section 2. This honorary street designation shall not require residents located on 40th Avenue North to change their street address.
Section 3. The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure is hereby authorized and directed, upon the enactment and approval of this Ordinance, to install the appropriate signage designating this section of roadway as “Charles Dungey Way” in accordance with § 13.08.025 of the Metropolitan Code.
Section 4. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance adds the honorary designation of “Charles Dungey Way" for a portion of 40th Avenue North between Indiana Avenue and Clifton Avenue. Charles Dungey, Jr., who passed away on September 22, 2003, was an internationally recognized jazz bassist and vocalist who dedicated his career to jazz performance and education. He toured with Pearl Bailey and Sammy Davis Jr. and worked alongside jazz greats Milt Jackson, Eartha Kitt, Betty Carter, and Hank Crawford. He was the first black bassist with the Nashville Symphony in the 1970s and served as a faculty member at Tennessee State University. His father owned Deborah’s Casino Royale Supper Club, which once stood near this portion of 40th Avenue North.
Section 13.08.025 of the Metro Code provides a procedure for the designation of honorary street signs whereby the Council, by ordinance, can authorize and direct the Department of Public Works to install two honorary street signs per street - at each end of a street - beneath the official street name sign for any street identified on the official Street and Alley Centerline Layer map. No honorary street sign can be installed honoring a living person; and each member of council can sponsor only one such ordinance each calendar year. This ordinance does not officially re-name the designated street. Therefore, there would be no change of official address for properties along this portion of 40th Avenue North.