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To designate the 2300 block of Rosewood Avenue in honor of James “Jimmy Lee” Bracey.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. Designation of Street Block for Honorary Name. The 2300 block of Rosewood Avenue shall be designated in honor of James “Jimmy Lee” Bracey, 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: March 19, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilmember
THROUGH: RJ Warren, Chief of Staff
THROUGH: Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager
FROM: Whitney Brown, Policy Analyst
RE: To designate the 2300 Block of Rosewood Avenue in honor of James “Jimmy Lee” Bracey.
CNL-2025-0019
PURPOSE: To designate the 2300 Block of Rosewood Avenue in honor of Mr. Jimmy Lee Bracey.
BACKGROUND: Mr. Bracey devoted more than 50 years to mentoring Richmond’s youth as a coach, father figure, and beloved grandfather figure, and was affectionately known as “Big Poppa.”
Born and raised in Richmond’s West End, Mr. Bracey attended Richmond Public Schools and proudly graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he competed on the Air Force Track Team and earned numerous awards for his athletic achievements. After completing his military service, he built a distinguished professional career with the Federal Reserve Bank, Richmond Public Schools, Henrico Public Schools, and Richmond Recreation and Parks.
Mr. Bracey recognized that many children in the West End, particularly those not selected for school sports teams, still needed structured, positive athletic opportunities. Drawing on his track and field experience from the Air Force, he began coaching a small group of boys in his neighborhood. What started as a handful of participants grew steadily, and in 1967 he founded West End Striders, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Richmond’s youth through athletics, academic support, and sportsmanship.
Committed to helping young athletes discover their strengths, Mr. Bracey removed barriers to participation whenever possible. If track and field was a child’s passion, he made sure there were no excuses for missing practice, by providing transportation, running shoes, and other necessary resources. Under his leadership, the West End Striders produced athletes who won high school district, regional, and state championships, earned collegiate athletic scholarships, and even qualified for Olympic trials. Central to his mission was the holistic development of student-athletes and their success both on and off the field.
For more than five decades, Mr. Bracey trained track and field athletes ages five to sixteen throughout Richmond’s Near West End and on the grounds of his alma mater, Maggie L. Walker High School. Over the course of his service to the City of Richmond, he received numerous honors recognizing his profound community impact, including the 1992 “Big Shoulders” Award sponsored by Sheila Belle and Ma and Pop Pop Productions, Inc. Mr. Bracey’s legacy endures through the countless lives he touched, and he remains a true Richmond icon.
Please find the attached nomination application, documentation and petition.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Constituents, including the Randolph Neighborhood Association and numerous community members, shared letters, testimonials, and public comments reflecting broad neighborhood support and deep appreciation for Mr. Jimmy Lee Bracey’s lifelong impact on Richmond’s youth, which helped inform and strengthen the request to designate the 2300 block of Rosewood Avenue in his honor
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL:
• Mayoral Action Plan: City That Tells its Stories
FISCAL IMPACT: DPW estimates that each honorary street sign costs approximately $800 for manufacturing, installation, and some contingency although actual costs may vary. Funds are sufficient in the agency’s FY26 operating budget to cover adoption of this ordinance.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption.
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: April 13, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: April 27, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing & Transportation
AFFECTED AGENCIES: City Council, Department of Public Works
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
ATTACHMENTS: Nomination Form JLB
STAFF: Whitney Brown, Policy Analyst, (804-646-3765)