MLK Street Diversity

Below is a hyper-lapse video, which shows 33 streets named for MLK. It was created by and published on ColorLines.com. This video captures the diversity among streets named for Dr. King, some pristine urban centers, others displaying urban decay at its worst. 

High Point, NC Still Without MLK Street

March 17, 2014

In High Point, NC today, the City Council voted against the renaming of Green Drive in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The vote was 5-4 against. The vote failed due to the cost renaming a street would incur to the city and various business owners along the street. 

Kimbrough, P. (2014, March 17). Council votes against MLK street renaming proposal. Retrieved March 18, 2014 , from Higher Point Enterprise : http://www.hpe.com/news/x1001078834/Council-votes-against-MLK-street-renaming-proposal

In the comments section on the news webpage, beneath this article, a different street is now being proposed to honor Dr. King. The street known as College Drive, is being proposed by the public because the costs would be substantially lower, the street is in very nice condition relative to others in the city, and High Point University was already looking at a name change, to something along the lines of University Drive.

The Perceptions & Realities of Safety in a Grocery along Pontiac, Michigan's MLK Blvd

February 26, 2014

In Pontiac, Michigan on Tuesday, February 25^th 2014 there was an assault in a grocery store located along Martin Luther King Blvd. David Knies a local man who was the person assaulted and he described that person who assaulted him as a black man that could have been in his thirties.  David Knies statement after he was released from the hospital, the following day, was about his fond memories of the area and his desire to support local business and his deep concern for the safety and direction of his neighborhood. His local representative on the City Council scheduled a meeting from March 7^th with members of her district to discuss ways to improve the safety of the neighborhood.

Turk, J. (2014, February 26). Pontiac residents rethinking move back to Michigan after assault inside local grocery store. Retrieved March 16, 2014, from Daily Tribune News: http://www.dailytribune.com/general-news/20140226/pontiac-residents-rethinking-move-back-to-michigan-after-assault-inside-local-grocery-store

After looking for an update, online, to date (3/16/2014) I have not found anything.

New Goal: MLK Street in Pittsburgh

February 20, 2014

The Baptist Minister’s Conference of Pittsburgh call on the city officials of Pittsburg to name a street in the city in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Currently in Pittsburg there is a bus line named after the civil rights leader, but the Ministers agree that is not enough. In 2014 the Baptist Minister’s Conference of Pittsburgh plan to have a street in the city named in honor of MLK, this was presented to the public at their annual MLK Day Celebration.

Croom, T. (2014, February 20). Baptist ministers call for Pittsburgh street named after MLK. Retrieved March 16, 2014, from New Pittsburgh Courier: http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2014/02/20/baptist-ministers-call-for-pittsburgh-street-named-after-mlk/

For addition information about the bus system named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. please follow this link: http://pittsburgh.pahighways.com/busways/ebusway.html

Belton, TX Renamed 9th Ave, Now Martin Luther King Jr. Ave

February 18, 2014

Belton, Texas changed their 9^th Ave to Martin Luther King Jr. Ave today. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor hosted the formal ceremony with Alveda Celeste King, Dr. King’s niece.

Simpson, G. (2014, February 19). Belton Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue: MLK Street

Signs Unveiled . Retrieved March 17, 2014, from Temple Daily Telegram: http://www.tdtnews.com/news/article_d0d297fa-9932-11e3-8ea2-001a4bcf6878.html

Major MLK Street to Promote Political Equality in the Future

January 27, 2014

Arizona residents speak out about the increasing lack of Black Americans in the Arizona's politically elected officeholders. Phoenix City Council Members, Michael Nowakowski and Kate Gallego, are working to relocate a street in Phoenix named for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Past efforts in the city to name a more prominent street for Dr. King have failed for various reasons and local activist say this needs to change.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/20140122phoenix-mlk-street-criticism.html

If there is greater equality within the political landscape will that encourage greater equality in local and state politics?

New MLK JR Way in Spokane

May 2012

A Dream comes true in Spokane!!! In May of 2012 Spokane, Washington a street formally known as Riverside Extension has been renamed “Martin Luther King, Jr. Way” in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. The street runs through the city’s higher education district. This street was relatively new and the vote from the city council passed unanimously because there were no previously existing businesses along the road. In previous attempts to rename streets in Spokane were unsuccessful due to cost to businesses. The street’s location was reportedly given much thought regarding its prominence and aesthetic. I would like to see some photos of this street if anyone has any they would like to share, please post them. 

My sources included: http://www.thefigtree.org/nov09/110109mlkway.html, http://www.krem.com/traffic/Spokanes-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Way-opens-156008925.html, http://mlkspokane.org/. 

Though, this is from 2012, this is an example of the current events I will attempt to compile for this blog.