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Council directs staff to prepare resolution to name Walnut Street segment 'Patricia Avery Neal Way'
Summary
After public testimony and family remarks, council voted 7–0 to direct staff to place a resolution on a regular meeting agenda to designate Walnut Street between North Street and Columbia Avenue as honorary Patricia Avery Neal Way.
Public Works staff presented an honorary street name application for Patricia Avery Neal and council directed staff to prepare a resolution for action at a regular meeting, following family testimony and community comments.
The request matters because the proposed honorary name recognizes a long‑time Champaign resident and public servant whose family and community members described her civic leadership and advocacy, and the designation follows the city’s honorary street designation policy.
Miss Jamie Vermillion of Public Works explained the city’s process and said Public Works received the application on Jan. 4, 2025. Vermillion summarized the application submitted by Aaron Neal, noting Patricia Avery Neal’s local roots, public service as recorder of deeds and as a Champaign County Board member and chair, and community work including founding a gun violence deterrence program called TRUCE. Vermillion said the requested designation complies with the city’s honorary street designation policy and staff sought council direction to prepare a resolution.
Aaron Neal, Patricia Avery Neal’s son and the applicant, spoke for five minutes about his mother’s life and community service and said of Walnut Street, "it was home." He asked the council to honor her legacy by approving the designation. Family members including Angela Avery and supporters from the community offered additional testimony about Neal’s leadership, including her roles with the NAACP and county government.
Several council members spoke in support. Robert Michael Doyle, a longtime local activist, testified in favor of the designation and urged the council to vote yes. After discussion, council member (unnamed) moved to pull alternative 1 — directing staff to place the resolution on a regular agenda — and the council polled in favor; the item passed 7–0. The formal action at the study session was direction to staff; the substantive ordinance/resolution will return for council action at a regular meeting.
Ending: Staff will prepare the draft resolution and place it on a regular meeting agenda for vote, per council direction. The final honorary designation will be effective only after council passage of the forthcoming resolution.
