Commission rejects UND request to rename stretch of Second Avenue to Red Jarrett Way

The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission voted against a University of North Dakota request to formally rename a portion of Second Avenue North as Red Jarrett Way.

Brian Larson, UND director of construction management, told commissioners the university asked to rename Second Avenue North from North 20th Street west to Columbia Road to honor Red Jarrett and to reflect the cluster of UND athletic facilities along the corridor. “Renaming this section of street … would be a way of memorializing his legacy to campus, UND athletics, and our community here as a whole,” Larson said.

Why it matters: the stretch borders multiple university athletic facilities and residential units that would receive new addresses if the renaming were adopted. Commissioners raised concerns about delivery confusion and address consistency for residents and businesses; Commissioner Reichert warned that changing a short two-block section of a city street could create operational confusion for deliveries and navigation.

Several commissioners suggested alternatives such as an honorary naming or signage; Larson said the university’s preference was a formal name change. Commissioner Clayton announced he was a UND employee and recused himself from the vote.

Commissioners split in discussion; some said modern GPS updates and construction in the area reduce the risk of confusion, while others argued the change would complicate address continuity. After a voice vote and subsequent clarification, the chair announced the motion failed (4–3). The record shows one recusal.

The university’s request was denied; UND may pursue other commemorative options that would not change official street names.