During the Riviera Beach City Council meeting on August 6, 2025, a significant discussion emerged regarding the potential naming of streets to honor prominent community figures. The council is considering a proposal to rename sections of local streets, with suggestions including honoring Devin Hester, a Football Hall of Fame inductee, and Bishop Thomas Masters, a long-serving mayor.

Council members emphasized the importance of moving quickly on this initiative, particularly in light of potential legislative changes that could impact public art funding and community beautification efforts. The current balance in the Art in Public Places Fund stands at $244,000, which council members are eager to utilize before any possible elimination of the program.

The discussion also highlighted the criteria for naming streets, which requires that individuals have made significant contributions to the community and have been deceased for at least five years, although exceptions can be made for living individuals under special circumstances. This policy aims to ensure that street names carry meaningful significance and do not become overly diluted.

Public comments during the meeting raised additional considerations, including the need to recognize contributions from organizations and the importance of naming not just streets but also local bodies of water after influential figures. Some residents expressed concerns about the potential for excessive naming, suggesting that a limit on the number of names proposed per council term could help maintain the significance of such honors.

The council plans to revisit this topic in their upcoming meetings, with a focus on finalizing recommendations and ensuring that the naming process remains respectful and meaningful to the community.