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An ordinance providing the honorary street name designation of “Dr. J. Lucious Fitzgerald, Sr. Way” for a portion of Underwood Street.
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WHEREAS, Dr. J. Lucious Fitzgerald, Sr. served the North Nashville community for more than 48 years as the pastor of Ephesian Primitive Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Fitzgerald’s led the church to several major accomplishments, including the erection and dedication for a new edifice; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Fitzgerald received his diploma in Theology from the American Baptist Theological Seminary Extension in 1966 and then studied religion at the University of Tennessee and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from American Baptist Theological Seminary. He later earned a Master of Arts Degree in Evangelism from Scarritt College of Christian Workers, did post graduate work at Vanderbilt School of Divinity, and received a Doctorate of Ministry from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Fitzgerald had many professional affiliations as a pastor, including as the board of education director of National Primitive Baptist Convention USA, Inc., co-chairman for the American Baptist College Founders Day, editorial secretary for the National Primitive Baptist Convention, vice moderator of the Cumberland Association of Primitive Baptist Churches, and faculty of the Emmanuel Bible College Theological Department; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council memorialize Dr. Fitzgerald on Underwood Street, the current site of the church where he served for nearly half a century; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 13.08 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws 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 Underwood Street between 21st Avenue North and 22nd Avenue North is hereby designated with the honorary street name of “Dr. J. Lucious Fitzgerald, Sr. Way”.
Section 2. This honorary street designation will not require any resident or business located on Underwood Street to change its 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 “Dr. J.L. Fitzgerald, Sr. Way” in accordance with section 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 street name designation of "Dr. J. Lucious Fitzgerald, Sr. Way" for a portion of Underwood Street between 21st Avenue North and 22nd 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 Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure 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 Underwood Street.