Roanoke council renames 2nd Street Northeast to Bethel Davis Street to honor historic preservation leaders

Roanoke City Council voted unanimously on July 20 to rename 2nd Street Northeast (between Madison Avenue NE and Gilmer Avenue NE) to Bethel Davis Street NE in honor of Evelyn Bethel and Helen Davis, two longtime local preservation advocates.

Principal planner Catherine Gray told the council staff received a request from Ricardo Stovall, president of the Gainsborough Preservation District, and that the proposal meets the city's naming criteria. Gray said staff held two neighborhood meetings and received three letters supporting the change for the two-block area that borders Historic Gainsborough.

Jordan Bale, president of the Gainsborough Neighborhood Organization, told the council the Davis sisters “are what we consider the mothers of historical preservation in the city of Roanoke,” and urged approval to honor their decades of volunteer work preserving the Gainsborough Library and other local landmarks.

Councilwoman Powers made the motion to adopt the resolution and Councilwoman Sanchez Jones seconded. The clerk called the roll; Hagen, Sanchez Jones, Vice Mayor Maguire, Nash, Vollison, Powers and Mayor Cobb voted aye and the resolution was adopted.

The council chair noted the amendment to follow city naming conventions changed the proposed name from “Bethel Davis Way” to “Bethel Davis Street Northeast.” City staff said the measure affects two blocks from Gilmer Avenue NE to Madison Avenue NE.

The resolution does not change property lines or address assignments; staff told the council the renaming follows the city's established procedures and community outreach. No speakers opposed the proposal during the public hearing.

The council action completes the formal local step required for the street renaming; the city will carry out administrative updates to signage and city records in the coming weeks.