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Planning commission recommends renaming Bob Wade Lane to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Highway after divided public comment
Summary
The commission voted 5–4 to recommend the name change; the item will go to City Council for consideration on Sept. 11 (introduction) and Sept. 25 (final action). Neighbors expressed concerns about property values, notice and personal impacts; proponents and staff cited continuity with the Northern Bypass naming and economic development.
The Huntsville Planning Commission voted 5–4 on Aug. 26 to recommend that a section of Bob Wade Lane be renamed Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Highway (State Road 255). The recommendation advances to Huntsville City Council, which will receive the item for introduction on Sept. 11 and take final action on Sept. 25, according to planning staff.
Why it matters: the proposed renaming affects a short section of roadway and 19 property owners who were notified as a courtesy. Several residents said the change would impose costs, disrupt mailing and security addresses and could stigmatize property values; others and city staff said the change is part of a long‑standing plan to extend SR 255/MLK and would align the name with the new arterial.
Public comment was robust. Nancy Grayson Van Belkinburg, of 1005 Harrison Avenue Southeast, told the commission she opposed the change and asked “what’s wrong with just leaving things like they are?” A longer, detailed statement came from a resident who identified himself as a property owner on Bob Wade Lane and presented studies and anecdotal evidence he said show properties on streets named for Martin Luther King suffer lower values; he said the change would harm his investment and urged commissioners to reconsider. Several other neighbors, including Ava Malone (represented by Bob Labby at the meeting) and Elaine Pierce (1369 Bob Wade Lane), asked the commission to keep the existing name because of disruption and perceived negative impacts.
Planning staff described the background and outreach. Thomas Nunez, manager of plans and services, said the portion of SR 255 already carries the MLK name north of the area and that extending the name has been part of the broader Northern Bypass planning since construction of the initial section in the mid‑2000s. Nunez said planning staff mailed courtesy notices to property owners on Aug. 10; some residents reported they did not receive notice until Aug. 19. He told the commission the planning commission action is not final, and that City Council will consider the measure on Sept. 11 (introduction) and Sept. 25 (final vote).
The commission heard questions about the number of affected owners; staff confirmed 19 property owners were notified. Staff also said residents could elect to use SR 255 as a postal address if they wished and that the planning and communications staff had no local data tying the name change to property devaluation in Huntsville. Kelly Scrimshaw, the city communications director, told the commission she had “no data to support [a negative economic impact] here in Huntsville,” and that the area is experiencing significant economic development.
Vote and next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council. The two scheduled council dates are Sept. 11 (introduction) and Sept. 25 (final action). The commission vote was 5 in favor, 4 opposed; one commissioner indicated an abstention during initial voice voting but the final count was reported at 5–4 in favor.
Ending: The name change will not be final until City Council acts; residents who oppose the change were advised they can attend the city council hearings or submit written comment prior to council consideration.
