MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – The city of Madison is introducing two resolutions tonight to change how the city decides street names, looking to make the process more inclusive to the community. The two resolutions would change city policy and create an Honorary Street Naming Program.
Currently, street names have to be approved by the city engineer, and have to follow a set of guidelines. Those guidelines include: only proper names that have historical significance, names cannot be too similar to existing street names, cannot be longer than 17 characters, and names have to be the most common spelling of a word (e.x. “Wind Street” instead of “Wynd Street).
Under the changes, street names would still need to be approved by the city engineer, and many of those guidelines will stay in place. New guidelines would be added, such as discouraging cultural appropriation, people applying for street names must include the meaning behind the street name, and allowing names from languages other than English, as long as they are spelt using the English-Latin alphabet.
Under the Honorary Street Naming Program, new rules would also be put in place. New honorary street names would need to fit at least one of three criteria: honoring the historically underrepresented, honoring Indigenous place names, or honoring former street names.
A study by the city’s Racial Equity & Social Justice Initiative in 2021 found that the majority of historic street names are named after “elite, wealthy white men.” The new policy changes would look to change that, and allow people from Madison’s “hidden history,” like people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community to be recognized as well.
People looking to nominate a street or honorary street name change would still have to go through a lengthy nomination and approval process, but the changes would also look to streamline the current process. The changes also adds more voices to deciding on a street name, such as the City Council, the city’s Landmarks Commission, and the Board of Public Works.
The resolutions will be introduced at tonight’s Common Council meeting, where they will then be referred to both the city’s Transportation and Landmarks Commission.
Wisconsin Supreme Court returns to hear pair of politically charged cases
9/10/2024 | Jack Kelly / Wisconsin Watch
The state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a pair of cases that ask the justices to answer a slate of politically charged questions.
Northern Wisconsin Football Week 3 Recap
9/9/2024
Rib Lake 52 Chequamegon16 (Game Stats HERE) (Listen to Game Audio) Phillips 50 Luck 6 (Game Stats HERE) (Listen to Game Audio) Birchwood/Winter 42 South Shore 29 Hurley 36 Prentice 8 (Game Stats HERE) Lakeland 12 Rhinelander 8 (Game Stats HERE) Medford 46 Antigo 12 Wausau East 27 Tomahawk 11 Manawa 21 Northland Pines 13 […]
Racine County Secures Grant for Urban Agriculture Project at Youth Detention Center
9/9/2024 | Stuart J. Wattles
The urban agriculture project aims to provide skills and experiences to youth residents.
Gov. Evers Declares September Coastal Awareness Month, $1.6M in Grants Available
9/9/2024 | Stuart J. Wattles
Funding is available for projects aimed at enhancing and protecting resources within Wisconsin’s coastal zone.
Human remains found in Manitowoc County
9/9/2024 | Lisa M. Hale
A deer hunter in Manitowoc County discovered skeletal human remains in the Town of Two Rivers on Saturday. Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department confirms remains were found at Camp Manitou, an area Girl Scout Camp.