The Amarillo City Council tabled a decision last night regarding a street renaming to honor fallen APD officer Justin Scherlen.
APD officer William Roper submitted to the council a proposal to rename the entirety of Meadow Drive to Justin Scherlen Drive. Officer Roper said that he also planned to ask the council to erect a plaque in the neighboring Paramount Park to explain why the street was renamed to honor Scherlen.
Council heard a presentation from A.J. Fawver, planning and zoning director, who said that there was some objection from neighbors who lived on Meadow Drive. Fawver said that the main objection was that while the community wanted to honor Scherlen, they did not want to have to change addresses on legal documents. Fawver mentioned that some in the community recommended renaming Paramount Park instead of renaming the street.
Roper said that he would be satisfied with Paramount Park being renamed and the parents of Justin Scherlen said that they would be honored to even have the renaming considered.
City manager Jared Miller informed Council that no process currently exists for renaming a park in Amarillo. City Councilmember Freda Powell then asked staff to consider creating a park renaming process and to gather information on Paramount Park's history.
Following this recommendation, which was agreed to by the City Council, the decision was tabled.
