HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2024-063-Resolution Naming the 203 Greensboro Project as the Drakeford Library Complex RES - 2024 - 063 Attachment 1
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION NAMING THE 203 GREENSBORO PROJECT THE DRAKEFORD
LIBRARY COMPLEX
WHEREAS , a Naming Committee comprised of members from the Board of Orange County
Commissioners , Carrboro Town Council , and Friends of the Library met in the spring of 2024
to develop a community engagement process to name the public building jointly operated by
the Town of Carrboro and Orange County at 203 S . Greensboro Street ; and
WHEREAS , the committee reviewed results from a communitywide survey that received more
than 200 responses and subsequently took a formal vote on September 24 , 2024 , to
recommend that the building be named the Drakeford Library Complex ; and
WHEREAS , Robert " Bob " Drakeford made history as Carrboro ' s first Black mayor , elected in
1977 and serving until 1983 ; and
WHEREAS , Dr . Drakeford served as Alderman from 1975 to 1977 before being elected as
mayor in 1977 , and as a graduate of UNC - Chapel Hill ' s city and regional planning program , he
was an advocate for public transit and cycling , and he developed valuable collaborations with
other progressive Black mayors in the South during his tenure ; and
WHEREAS , Dr . Drakeford held public office when the Council (then Board of Aldermen ) hired
Richard Knight as the town ' s first Black town manager , employed from 1976 - 1980 . And he
served as mayor during the hiring of the Town ' s first professional planner , who was Black . This
decision helped set high standards that eventually made Carrboro more accessible to
pedestrians and cyclists . He also established a loan program to encourage business
entrepreneurs and created the Carrboro Community Park , later renamed the Hank Anderson
Community Park . The biggest issue during his tenure was planning the Chapel Hill - Carrboro
Bus System ; and
WHEREAS , Dr . Drakeford was a veteran who proudly served our country in the United States
Army from 1966 to 1968 . Following his time in service , he received a Bachelor' s Degree from
Quinnipiac University and his Master' s Degree at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill ,
going on to further his education by receiving his Doctorate of Philosophy from the University
of North Carolina - Greensboro . He was a Political Science Professor , serving with the U . S .
Department of Agriculture and 4 - H Development at Auburn University ; and
WHEREAS , Dr . Drakeford was born on April 25 , 1945 in New York City , N . Y . , son of the late
Robert and Elizabeth McLeod Drakeford , and died on May 16 , 2022 ( buried at the Sandhills
State Veterans Cemetery) ;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners will remember Robert Drakeford for his service to the community by naming
the new public building in his honor as the Drakeford Library Complex .
This the 7th day of November , 2024 .
J mez a Bedford , Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners