PILLAR: Growing
AGENDA DATE: June 24, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 4
DEPARTMENT: Department of Planning and Development
PRIORITY: Transportation
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SUBJECT
Title
A public hearing to receive comments regarding a proposal to change the name of Woodbine Avenue between Morrell Avenue and Renner Road to “Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue” and an ordinance granting the name change - STNAME-26-000003 - Financing: New Street blades to be prepared and paid for by the City of Dallas (see Fiscal Information for potential future costs)
*In alignment with ForwardDallas.
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BACKGROUND
On April 22, 2026, the City Manager received a memorandum signed by three City Council members requesting consideration of a street name change application for Woodbine Avenue, between Morrell Avenue and Renner Road, to “Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue.” The statement of reasons supporting the request is included in the attached memorandum.
On May 4, 2026, notification signs were posted along Woodbine Avenue, between Morrell Avenue and Renner Road, in accordance with Section 51A-9.503(b) of the Dallas Development Code.
On June 6, 2026, notices were mailed to the 20 property owners abutting the street, informing them of the City Council hearing regarding the street name change request, in accordance with Section 51A-9.503(b) of the Dallas Development Code. Notice of the June 24, 2026, City Council hearing was also published in the newspaper on June 6, 2026.
Dr. David Henderson Jr. has been a dedicated pastor, spiritual leader, and community advocate in Dallas for more than five decades. He preached for over 52 years and served as pastor of Greater Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for 41 years, helping it become a cornerstone of faith, empowerment, and community development in Southern Dallas. Beyond his pastoral work, he has held numerous leadership roles in religious and civic organizations, including the African American Pastors Coalition C.D.C. Board, the Baptist Ministers Conference, and the Congress of Christian Education, U.S.A. His leadership, mentorship, and commitment to social justice have made a lasting impact on both faith communities and civic life throughout Dallas.
The proposed street name, “Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue,” contains 30 characters. Per Section 51A-9.304(a)(5), the street-type designation “Avenue” may be abbreviated to “Ave”; however, the proposed street name would still contain 27 characters. Therefore, approval of the proposed street name change will require a waiver of Section 51A-9.304(a)(5).
The proposed change of “Woodbine Avenue” to “Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue” complies with Section 51A-9.304(a)(1), as no other street within the City of Dallas has been named or renamed “Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue.”
The proposed change of Woodbine Avenue, between Morrell Avenue and Renner Road, to “Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue” does not comply with Section 51A-9.304(b)(1). The request proposes renaming only a portion of Woodbine Avenue between Morrell Avenue and Renner Road. Woodbine Avenue extends between Renner Road and South Corinth Street Road. The remaining portion of Woodbine Avenue, between Morrell Avenue and South Corinth Street Road, would not be changed. Therefore, approval of this request will require a waiver of Section 51A-9.304(b)(1).
The proposed change of Woodbine Avenue, between Morrell Avenue and Renner Road, to “Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue” does not comply with Section 51A-9.304(c)(2), as he is not deceased. Therefore, approval of this request will require a waiver of Section 51A-9.304(c)(2).
Per Section 51A-9.301(5) “Label” means the portion of a street name that attaches a creative identity to a roadway. For example, in the street name “Frankin Road,” Franklin is the label. The proposed Street name “Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue” does not comply with Section 51A-9.304(d)(3). The approval of this request will require a waiver for Section 51A-9.304(d)(3).
The following provision requires three quarters of the City Council to waive the requirement.
Section 51A-9.304(a)(5) “A street name may not contain more than 14 characters providing, however, that the street-type designation may be abbreviated to comply with this requirement.”
Section 51A-9.504(b)(1) “Except as provided in paragraph (2), a roadway must have only one name.
Section 51A-9.304(c)(2) “A street name commemorating a person, or a historic site or area is prohibited until at least two years after the death of the person to be honored or the occurrence of the event to be commemorated.”
Section 51A-9.304(d)(3) “No street name may have more than two labels before the street-type designation.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
A street name approved by the city council takes effect 60 days after the date of its approval unless city council sets a later effective date.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On May 21, 2026, the Subdivision Review Committee, by unanimous vote, recommended denial of the request to rename Woodbine Avenue, between Morrell Avenue and Renner Road, to "Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue”.
On June 11, 2026, the City Plan Commission, by a vote of 9 to 0, recommended denial of the street name change for Woodbine Avenue, between Morrell Avenue and Renner Road, to “Dr. David Henderson Jr. Avenue”.
FISCAL INFORMATION
New Street blades are to be prepared and paid for by the City of Dallas; potential future costs to the city are estimated at $1,582.00.
MAP
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