The proposal to rename the street had seemed like a foregone conclusion, a tribute to the trailblazing athlete whose legacy was deeply intertwined with the fabric of the community.
Then Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor, a FAMU professor, and a figure known for his outspokenness and contrarian views threw a wrench into the gears of what had seemed like a well-greased and vetted proposal as he began to speak in opposition to the proposed renaming.
As Proctor spoke, the room fell silent with disbelief. Every word he uttered weighed heavily on the hearts of those gathered. He claimed that area business and residents opposed the name change, despite a survey by City and County staff indicating that there was no opposition.
Proctor also claimed the name change be would confusing to police, firefighters, and EMS personnel.
"I fail to be persuaded," Proctor reiterated, his voice steady and unwavering.
In the end, the commission adopted a motion offered by Commissioner Nick Maddox which would keep the formal name of Wahnish Way, a nod to the history and heritage embodied by its namesake. However, signs would be installed along the stretch from FAMU Way to Orange Avenue, designating the area as 'Althea Gibson Way'. It was a compromise born out of necessity, a middle ground that sought to honor Gibson's legacy without upending the lives of those who called the street home.