Freedom Parkway could be renamed in honor of John Lewis – WXIA-TV

The busy Atlanta highway could be renamed.

Doug Richards, WXIA 9:12 PM. EDT August 09, 2017

Freedom Parkway in Atlanta

ATLANTA -- It appears Freedom Parkway will get a new name. It would be named John Lewis Freedom Parkway, if the city adopts the findings of a task force formed to honor the 30-year congressman and civil rights figure.

John Lewis is an enduring Atlanta political figure, and a civil rights legend. Yet in a city that has not hesitated to re-name city streets to honor its many civil rights figures the one figure lacking such an honor has been John Lewis.

"Its a street that currently doesnt have any residents on it," said Andre Dickens, speaking of Freedom Parkway, which juts east of downtown. "It can be named still 'Freedom Parkway, but potentially 'JohnLewis Freedom Parkway.'"

Andre Dickens chaired a task force that has recommended adding Lewiss name to Freedom Parkway which a generation ago, was perhaps the most controversial road project in Atlanta history.

When Lewis was a city councilman, he joined with thousands of angry residents who bitterly fought what was then called the Presidential Parkway project originally slated to bulldoze scores of historic homes east of downtown Atlanta.

"That was going to be a highway going out to Stone Mountain. He fought, along with great residents in that area, to not divide up their neighborhoods with the highway," Dickens said.

Lewis and other opponents eventually forged a compromise that produced the shorter, slower highway now called Freedom Parkway. Adding Lewiss name to that highway could get finalized before Mayor Kasim Reed leaves office in January.

"I think its a terrific opportunity to shine a light on one of the best individuals that our country has ever produced," Reed said Wednesday.

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