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An ordinance providing the honorary street name designation of “James ‘Jake’ Sherrell Way” for a portion of 17th Avenue North.
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WHEREAS, James Henry Sherrell was born on August 12, 1926, in Ardmore, Tennessee, to parents Emanuel and Elementary Sherrell, and was affectionately known as Jake; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sherrell graduated from Pearl High School in 1948 and graduated from Tennessee A&I State, now Tennessee State University, in 1977; and
WHEREAS, in 1938, Mr. Sherrell began barbering and, in 1957, opened his own establishment, the Bel-Aire Unisex Salon; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sherrell was active in the Nashville community, giving free haircuts to the disadvantaged and hosting football and basketball programs for children and youth; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sherell also started the Bel-Aire James Sherrell scholarship fund, which has sent at least 11 students to college; and
WHEREAS, his community involvement also included membership in the Esquires Social Club, Jo Johnston Finest Social Club, and Untouchable Men’s Club; and
WHEREAS, he was also a devoted member of the Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church for over 80 years, where he taught Sunday school and served as a lay leader. In May 2022, he was one of the recipients of the Harry Denman Evangelism award; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sherrell is survived by his wife, Rosa, his six children, many grandchildren, and godchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sherrell passed away on June 22, 2024; 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 17th Avenue North between Jackson Street and Charlotte Avenue is hereby designated with the honorary street name of “James ‘Jake’ Sherrell Way”.
Section 2. This honorary street designation will not require any resident or business located on 17th Avenue North 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 signing designating this section of roadway as “James ‘Jake’ Sherrell 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 street name designation of "James 'Jake' Sherrell Way" for a portion of 17th Avenue North between Jackson Street and Charlotte Avenue.
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 17th Avenue North.