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To designate the 2100 block of Venable Street in honor of Bishop Melvin Williams, Jr. (7th District)
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WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, Bishop Melvin Williams, Jr., is a native of the East End of Richmond who graduated magna cum laude from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, and who has served as the pastor of The Temple of Judah Ministries for 50 years; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, in July, 1972, Bishop Melvin Williams, Jr., married Jacquelynne Westbrook, who was instrumental in shaping his ministry; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, Bishop Melvin Williams, Jr., has extensively served the residents of Richmond and the state through his dedicated ministry and community outreach, which has included religious radio and television programming, the formation of the Community Association of Security Mobilization, now known as the City of Richmond Crime Stoppers program, ministries to feed the hungry, meetings of clergy from multiracial and multidenominational backgrounds, early morning prayer services, and service as chief chaplain of the City of Richmond Justice Center and other aid to incarcerated individuals; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to honor the life of Bishop Melvin Williams, Jr., for his contributions to the religious and civic life of and other community service contributions to the East End community and the city of Richmond by designating the 2100 block of Venable Street in his honor; and
WHEREAS, because this designation is honorary only, the provisions of sections 8-7 through 8-10 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, do not apply to the designation made hereby or to any signs erected pursuant to this ordinance;
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. Designation of Street Block for Honorary Name. The 2100 block of Venable Street shall be designated as “Melvin Williams, Jr. Way” in honor of Bishop Melvin Williams, Jr., pursuant to this ordinance, with placement of the sign at the corner of North 22nd Street and Venable Street.
§ 2. Effect of Designation. The designation of the portion of the street 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 portion of the street 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 portion of the street designated in section 1 of this ordinance for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of this section or to any existing sign identifying the portion of the street designated in section 1 of this ordinance located at each end of the portion of the street designated in section 1 of this ordinance and (ii) shall bear the name of the person as set forth in section 1 of this ordinance.
§ 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.