A community effort is underway to rename a well-known thoroughfare in Richmond, Virginia in honor of one of the city's most famous citizens, Arthur Ashe, Jr.  

The generically named "Boulevard" is a historic street in the near West End of Richmond connecting Byrd Park with the rapidly developing Scott's Addition neighborhood and The Diamond, home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The Boulevard serves as the border between the Carytown/Museum District to the west and the Fan district to the east.  More about the Boulevard can be found at:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulevard_(Richmond,_Virginia)

The historic significance and accomplishments of Arthur Ashe, Jr. as a professional tennis player, civil rights activist, author, journalist, and global ambassador of good will are well documented, and the city has previously honored Ashe with a statue on Monument Avenue and the Arthur Ashe, Jr. Athletic Center, a 72,000 square foot athletic facility with a seating capacity of 6,000 located on the Boulevard.  Notwithstanding the foregoing recognition, renaming the Boulevard to honor Ashe would be a positive and inspiring step not only honoring the man and what he stood for during his life, but also symbolizing the progress made by the Richmond community in recent years.  With the anticipated redevelopment of the Boulevard into a major center of sports, entertainment, and commerce in the coming years, the time is right to get this done.  

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."  --Arthur Ashe, Jr.

What can you do? City Council approval is required to rename the Boulevard, so please sign the petition to show your support!  Stay tuned for further updates on our progress and other ways you can help.