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Worcester City Council names Gardner Street for William S. Coleman III and declares honorary councilor day
Summary
The council approved an order and a petition to make William S. Coleman III an honorary city councilor for a day (Oct. 20, 2025) and to give a stretch of Gardner Street his honorary name, following multiple public tributes and family support.
The Worcester City Council on Sept. 9 voted to adopt an order and a petition honoring William S. Coleman III, including making him an honorary city councilor for a day on Oct. 20, 2025 (his birthday) and giving a section of Gardner Street an honorary name in his memory.
Mayor Joseph Petty and Councilor Luis Ojeda sponsored the proposals. The mayor said the family supported the recognitions and noted Coleman’s longtime neighborhood work and community cleanups. Cheryl Rosen, who identified herself as a longtime friend of Coleman, told the council she strongly supported both recognitions and noted Coleman’s community service and church ties in the proposed naming area.
The council approved the chairman’s order requesting a city-manager report on incentives the city could offer to help property owners install sprinklers (a separate item) and then adopted the street-naming petition and the honorary councilor order by roll call.
What happens next: The city manager’s office and relevant departments will process the honorary naming and ceremonial plans; the city clerk’s office will record the action and the public works or addressing office will handle signage and any ceremonial arrangements for Oct. 20.
