To: Mayor/Council
On Tuesday October 13, 2009 you approved a resolution to allow staff to proceed
forward with a list of project for a bond package. One of the projects on that
list that needed additional funding is a proposed city service center
building. I have discussed with each of you my interest in naming the city
service center building in memory and honor of the late Mayor J.R. Allen. The
State named a highway (J.R. Allen Parkway) and the Muscogee county School
District named a school (Allen Elementary) in memory and honor of him. I
believe it is proper and fitting that the City name a building in memory and in
honor of him. I have attached below a few historical facts regarding the late
Mayor J.R. Allen. These are just a few of the reasons I make this request and
seek you concurrence:
Mayor J.R. Allen -
Historical Facts:
J. R. Allen, a young businessman, organized a biracial Republican Party and
elected as mayor in 1968 and served from January 1969-February 15, 1973.
He led the consolidation of the city and county governments?the first such
action in Georgia. The city doubled its size in 1970 and absorbed the remaining
county areas the next year because Allen convinced the legislature to hold
referendums that favored the city.
The new government began in 1971 with Allen as mayor and A. J. McClung, an
African American, as mayor pro tempore. Serving as the first Mayor in the
newly constructed Government Center Complex.
The Muscogee County Courthouse was built between 1895-1896 between 1st & 2nd
Ave and 9th & 10th Streets and faced the Springer Opera House on the north.
Andrew J. Bryan, a noted courthouse architect, designed the building. It was
demolished in 1972 and replaced by the Government Center. Mayor Allen was the
last Mayor to serve in the old courthouse.
J.R. Allen Parkway named in his honor ? State Highway
In 1964 J.R. Allen won the Jaycees? Distinguished Service Award for his
impressive record of service to the community and cause ? J.R. Allen was killed
in a plane crash in 1973 at the age of 42 during his term of Mayor. The
Jaycees renamed the Distinguished Service Award to the J.R. Allen Service Award
in tribute to him.
In 1978 Northside Elementary was renamed J.R. Allen Elementary ? Muscogee
County School District
The Metro Columbus Urban League (MCUL) was born out of the seeds of discontent
and the attempt at reconciliation. During the summer of 1971, Columbus was
plagued by a series of fights and fire bombings, which had racial
underpinnings. Mayor J.R. Allen, with council from Governor Jimmy Carter,
sought a measure that would not only strike at the heart of the racial
tensions, but also be acceptable to both the white and black communities. The
end product was the formation of a bi-racial committee comprised of 13 members:
Andrew B. Speed, Johnnie H. Flakes, Rudolph Allen, Margaret L. Belcher, Bud
Rufner, Nolan Murrah, Jack Basset, William B. Turner, Frances Jones, Sidney
Battle, Frank Robinson, George Ford, and J.C. Metcalf. These members
represented a cross section of Columbus in terms of race, gender and age. They
were charged with the task to develop a sound and functional strategy that
would foster greater communication between Columbus as a whole - black and
white.
J.R. Allen?s vision and leadership will be remembered forever. We can help to
ensure this by naming the new city service center building (that will be
constructed near the new library and the Muscogee County School District
Administration building), ?The J.R. Allen Consolidated Government City Service
Center?.
Respectfully submitted for your consideration.
Isaiah Hugley
City Manager
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