Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Council approves renaming stretch of Washington Boulevard for Granville T. Woods
Loading...
Summary
Columbus City Council approved renaming a section of Washington Boulevard to Granville T. Woods Boulevard after testimony from Ohio Black Expo leaders who emphasized Woods's local ties and contributions as an inventor.
Columbus City Council voted on March 2 to rename a portion of Washington Boulevard as Granville T. Woods Boulevard. The proposal was presented by the Public Service & Transportation Committee and supported in testimony from the Ohio Black Expo and residents who emphasized Granville T. Woods’s Columbus origins and his contributions as an inventor with nearly 60 patents.
Butch Hamilton, COO of the Ohio Black Expo, said renaming a street “is not symbolic” but a permanent public recognition that helps children learn local history. Sherry Hamilton, president and CEO of the Ohio Black Expo, and other local historians and advocates described the renaming as a way to honor perseverance and provide daily civic recognition for students and residents.
Council members applauded the initiative and referenced other local preservation and recognition efforts, noting the renaming’s proximity to a science center as an opportunity for educational connections. The ordinance moved for passage and council approved it by roll-call vote.
What happens next: Signage and implementation steps will be coordinated with the Department of Public Service, and the city will work with community partners on dedication events and historical materials.
