Detroit City Council Considering Renaming Hart Plaza In Downtown

DETROIT — Detroit City Council is considering renaming downtown's iconic Hart Plaza to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Councilwoman Mary Waters on Tuesday introduced the proposal, which originally looked to rename the iconic 14-acre riverfront square Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, but has since been updated to rename it the "Hart/King Plaza," according to a report from The Detroit Free Press.

"One of the most momentous occasions in the history of the plaza was hosting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. after the 1963 Freedom Walk, where he first delivered his famous 'I Have A Dream' speech," according to Waters' resolution. "The values espoused by Dr. King are those of the City of Detroit — dedication to the advancement of all, welcoming to all, and working towards a future free from crime, violence, and poverty; and in the 60th anniversary of Dr. King's pivotal speech, coinciding with the recent unveiling of a statute in the famous civil rights leader's likeness, we have the opportunity to make a strong statement of our city's values."

Detroit's Hart Plaza is named after former Democratic Michigan Sen. Phil Hart, who served in D.C. from 1959-1976 and was best known for supporting the Civil Rights Movement, racial integration, and immigration.

With no disrespect to King Jr., some were vehemently opposed to renaming Detroit's iconic plaza, including Sam Riddle, Political Director of Michigan National Action Network.

"I personally knew Phil Hart," Riddle said. "I personally do feel Hart was a good man. Without Sen. Hart, there would have been no Voting Rights Act of 1965. There is no American city better than Detroit to have and maintain Hart Plaza as a name."

Officials unveiled a new Martin Luther King Jr. statue in Hart Plaza earlier this summer and exactly 60 years after King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech in Detroit.

Although the resolution was referred to the Neighborhood and Community Services Committee for review, any vote on the measure won't happen until after Labor Day when council members return from their August recess.