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Board unanimously renames West Grove Avenue for blues musician Jimmy McCracklin
Summary
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted a traffic resolution renaming West Grove Avenue in North Richmond as Jimmy McCracklin Way. Supervisors said the change recognizes local cultural history; no members of the public spoke at the hearing.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on April 1 adopted a traffic resolution to rename West Grove Avenue in North Richmond as Jimmy McCracklin Way, passing the measure unanimously.
The name change recognizes Jimmy McCracklin, an internationally known blues musician who lived in the Richmond area and performed locally. Supervisor John Gioia, who introduced the item, said North Richmond has “a deep history of blues” and named clubs such as the Savoy where McCracklin played after his Navy service.
Monish Send, traffic engineer for the county Public Works Department, told the board the request came from the North and Greater Richmond Blues Foundation in coordination with the Housing Authority of Contra Costa County and Supervisor Gioia’s office. Send said the housing authority is the sole proprietor along West Grove Avenue and that there are currently no homes on the roadway. The department recommended adoption of the traffic resolution after the public hearing, he said.
The public hearing drew no commenters in chambers or on Zoom. Supervisor Gioia moved the resolution; Supervisor Diane Burgess seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to approve the renaming.
The board said it expects a sign and a community ceremony at a later date; Public Works staff did not specify an installation date during the hearing.
Votes at a glance - Adopt traffic resolution to rename West Grove Avenue to Jimmy McCracklin Way: motion by Supervisor John Gioia; second by Supervisor Diane Burgess; outcome: approved unanimously (5-0). - Consent calendar (items C1–C83): approved unanimously earlier in the meeting (motion and second not recorded on the transcript).
