Road renaming moves forward

After months of debate, plans to rename Airport Road took another step forward Monday when the Chapel Hill Town Council passed several resolutions dealing with specifics of the name change.

Council members passed four resolutions, which among other things established a process for renaming the thoroughfare.

On Dec. 6, the council unanimously decided to rename the road Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard after hearing recommendations from its Special Committee to Consider Renaming Airport Road.

Along with authorizing the work to change Airport Road, the first resolution passed Monday also charges the town manager to help residents and businesses affected by the change.

State law prohibits public funds from being used for private purposes, Town Manager Cal Horton said. But the town can help those affected by the change as long as that aid benefits the public.

The council also decided Monday to set May 8 as the date of the ceremony to celebrate the renaming.

Council member Sally Greene suggested the date to commemorate the 45th anniversary of King’s visit to Chapel Hill.

King visited the University’s Hill Hall and the black community center, which is now the Hargraves Community Center, in 1960 as part of his tour of Southern college campuses.

But some tasks still need to be completed before the name change takes place.

Horton said that the new road signs must be designed and that the number of signs needed still has to be estimated.

Also, residents living along Airport Road will need to be made aware of the new name.

“We’re going to have to contact all of the residents on that street and notify them that the change is going to be made,” said Mayor Pro Tem Edith Wiggins.

She said the council will ask for residents’ input throughout the renaming process.

Two other resolutions passed Monday night will result in the formation of two new entities.

One group will have the task of organizing the renaming celebration.

The Continuing Concerns Committee will consider the additional recommendations made by the special committee, which include creating a museum about Airport Road and a library room with information about King.

The group also recommended that the town hold a series of seminars that would address local racial issues.

Wiggins said she thought the committees would be formed using the same process the council typically uses.

“We’ll advertise for membership so citizens all across town will have an opportunity to apply,” she said.

The council is looking for people who want to be involved, she said.

According to the memorandum, the name change should occur six months after its approval, or by July 4 at the latest.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.