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To designate the 2800 block of 3rd Avenue in honor of the Reverend F. Todd Gray.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. Designation of Street Block for Honorary Name. The 2800 block of 3rd Avenue shall be designated in honor of Reverend F. Todd Gray, pursuant to this ordinance.
§ 2. Effect of Designation. The designation of the street block made pursuant to this ordinance shall be honorary only, shall not replace the existing name of the street, and shall have no effect on the address of any property with an address on the designated street block. The sole effect of designation pursuant to this ordinance shall be to authorize the placement of commemorative signs in accordance with this ordinance memorializing the designation in honor of the named person.
§ 3. Administration of Ordinance. The Department of Public Works shall implement this ordinance by installing, as soon as practicable after the adoption of this ordinance, and maintaining commemorative signs in accordance with this section. The commemorative signs shall be clearly distinct from the street signs used to identify the street block in question such that a reasonable person could not conclude that the commemorative signs reflect the actual name of the street. The commemorative signs (i) shall be affixed to a sign pole installed at each end of the block designated in section 1 of this ordinance for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of this section, or to any existing sign identifying the road designated in section 1 of this ordinance located at each end of the block designated in section 1 of this ordinance, and (ii) shall bear the name of the person set forth in section 1 of this ordinance.
§ 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: July 30, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: Ellen Robertson, 6th District Councilmember
THROUGH: RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff
THROUGH: Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager
FROM: Steven Taylor, Council Policy Analyst
RE: To designate the 2800th block of 3rd Street in honor of Rev. F. Todd Gray
CNL - 2025 - 0008
PURPOSE:
Designating the 2800 block of 3rd Avenue, located between Victor Street and Custer Avenue in honor of Rev F. Todd Gray, Pastor of Fifth Street Baptist Church which is located on this block. Rev. Gray has served there for 30 years.
BACKGROUND:
Rev F. Todd Gray has pastored at Fifth Baptist Church for 30 years. He is a veteran of the US Navy and an Ohio native. Under Rev. Gray’s leadership the Church has been actively involved in the community by sponsoring mentoring programs, community festivals, development of a health clinic, establishment of the Northside District Community Development Cooperation, and a child development center.
Rev. Gray has been active in civic affairs by serving as co-chair of a City Commission on African American Males, Chairman of Virginia Churches of the National Baptist Commission, member of the Private Industry Council, member of Richmond Renaissance’s Board, the United Way Board, and the Board of the United Way Council. Rev. Gray is also an educator who has taught at his alma mater the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.
The patron requests that the signage honoring Rev. Gray be installed at the corner of Victor Street and 3rd Avenue.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Typically, signage costs are paid from DPW operating funds. Estimated cost of signage for honorary block designations is approximately $750.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: September 8, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 22, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use
AFFECTED AGENCIES: City Council, DPW.
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
ATTACHMENTS: N/A
STAFF: Steven Taylor, Council Policy Analyst, (804-646-2780)