HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ2022-442DATE: November 21, 2022
TO: Planning Commission and City Council
FROM: Chris Boone, Director of Planning and Community Development
SUBJE CT: A request for a Street Dedication in honor of William "'Boy" Brown.
FILE: PZ2022-442
STAFF REPORT
The applicant, Velina Hayes Joluison on behalf of Billie Rence Brown, requests to have the
entirety of Bob Street dedicated to William "Boy" Brown. This will serve to honor Beaumont's
local disc Jockey feat red on K-JET radio. The request follows a Proclamation approved by City
Council in 2020 to dedicate December 8"' as "Boy Brown Day". This year, friends, family and
supporters of" oy " Brown will gather for a celebration as he was a nati onal ly- acclaimed disc
jockey, air personality, and announcer who assumed the household name "BOY" in Beaumont,
Texas. The begliming of his career dates back to the historic Beaumont K-iET radio station,
where he disc jockeyed for seventeen (17) years beginning in the early 1950's. He became the
Program and Music Director of K-JET and hosted Beaumont's first African American owned
radio station on 1380 on the a.m, dial.
Staff reconu-nends instead of completely changing the street natne, this street be designated as an
"honorary," naming of "Boy Brown." Such signage will be in a similar fashion to the existing
Oaks Historic District signs.
Staff recommends approval of the request.
This item was sent to all interestcd parties.
Exhibits are attached.
B IEAu
Planning & Community Development
Case Type:Planning and Zoning Case Status: REVIEW
Case Sub Type: Street Name Change Tag Name: Request for a street dedication in honor
Case #: PZ2022-442 of Boy Brown
Location: BOB ST, BEAUMONT, TX Initiated On: 10/27/2022 8:09:56AM
Individuals listed on the record
Applicant
Velina Haynes Johnson Home Phone. 409899,9906
5775 Aloe Work Phone,
Beaumont, TX 77713 Cell Phone:
E-Mail:
Flood Zones
Describe the portion of street to be
renamed and give the existing and
proposed street names.
Construction Type
Occupancy Type
State the reason or significance for the
name change.
Fire District
Notes:
Flood Zone X
Bob Street in South Beaumont, Texas in PeaE] Orchard. ResidentiaY
street wo approximately 12 homes located on the sF] eet.
to honor VVi 11 iam Boy Brown
Case Type- Planning and Zoning Page 1 of I
Case#: PZ2022-442 Printed On: 11/1/2022
Application Letter
For
Street Name Change Request
A. Name of requester: Billie Renee Brown, RodriGk Jay Brown
B. The location and description of the street requested to be renamed:
Bob Street in South BeaUrnont, Texas in Pear Orchard . Residential street with
approximately 12 homes located on the street.
C.:The existing and. aroposed street names:
Existing Street Name- Bob Street
Proposed Street Name: Boy Brown Street
D. The reasons or sinnif icance of the name chan
William "Boy" Brown was a nationally acclaimed Disc Jokey, Air Personality,
and Announcer who became the household name "BOY" in Beaumont Texas.
The beginning of his career dates back to the historic Beaumont K-JET radio
station where he disc jockeyed for 17 years and started in the early 1950's.
He was the may that brought Black radio to Southeast Texas.
Boy Brown rose to the top of I< -JET and became Program Director, Music
Director, and Announcer. I< -JET was Beaumont's first African American radio
station at 1380 on the am dial. It was through his music that he was able to
calm a restless community during the Civil Rights era and create unity.
A Proclamation was presented by the Beaumont City Council, on December 8,
2020, honoring the Late William "Boy" Brown. The proclamation established
December 8t'' as "Boy Brown lUET Day" in the City. We would like his Legacy to
continue in the neighborhood that he loved so much and in the City that
made him a household name.
ApOication Letter
For
Street Name Change Request
A. Name of requester: Billie Renee Brown, Rodrick Jay Brown
I -
B. The location and description of the street re nested to be renamed:
Bob Street in South Beaumont, Texas in Pear Orchard .Residential street with
approximately 12 homes located on the street.
C. The existing and pLoposed street names:
Existing Street Name: Bob Street
Proposed Street Name: Boy Brown Street
D. The reasons or significance of the name than
William "Boy" Brown was a nationally acclaimed Disc Jockey, Air Personality,
and Announcer who became the household name "BAY" in Beaumont Texas.
The beginning of his career dates back to the historic Beaumont K-JET radio
station, where he disc jockeyed for 17 years and started in the early 1950's.
He was the man that brought Blacic radio to Southeast Texas.
Boy Brown rose to the top of 1<-JET and became Program Director, Music
Director, and Announcer. K-JET was Beaumont's first African American radio
station at 1380 on the am dial. It was through his music that he was able to
calm a restless community during the Civil Rights era and create unity.
A Proclamation was presented by the Beaumont City Council on December 8,
2020, honoring the Late William "Boy" Brown. The proclamation established
December 8t`' as "Boy Brown KJET Day" in the City. Vile would Like his Legacy to
continue in the neighborhood that he laved so much and in the City that
made him a household name.
Petition to Rename Bob Street
Citizens of Beaumont,
In honor of Boy Brown, the man who brought Blacksoul music to Beaurnont, the Brown family with
support f ro rn Mayor r Mouton and Cour d[man Chris D urio and Co Lin dirna n dwin Samuel, are asking
the residents of Beaumont on Bob St to grant permission for thi,:1 street name to be changed to Boy
Brown Street.
Boy brown built his home and raised his children on Raven St. and he loved his relghborhood, so we
would like to honor him. We need 2/3 of the residents on Bob A. to agree to this change by agreeing to
add their signature to this petition.
Please help! The hood always remembersi
Remember KJET and Boy Brown.
For additional information, contact Bunn! Brown at 425-523-2088 or email at
'BunniBroiyn56@gmalf.com
Resident Signa ur
Ur
-- <
7
- tog
Resident Address
Date
Petition ta Rename Bob Street
Citizens of Beaumont,
In honor of Boy Brown, the man who brought Black soul music to Beaumont, the Brown farnfly wIth
'I
support from Man
ayor Mouton d Councilman Chris Dario and Councilmin A U dwin Samuel, are asking
the residents of Beaumont on Bob St to grant permission for the street name to be changed to Boy
Brown Street.
Boy Brown built his home and raised his children on Raven St, and he loved his neighborhood, so we
would like to honor him. We need 2/3 of the residents on Bob St, to agree to this change by agreeing to
add their signature to this petition.
Please help! The hood always rernembersi
Remember KIET and Boy Brown.
For additional information, contact Bunni Brown at 425-523-2089 or email at
BunnIBrown56@grnail,com
Resident Signature
Resident Address
Date
Petition to Rename Bob Street
Citizens of Beaumont,
In honor of Boy Brown, the man who brought Black soul music to Beaumont, the Brown family with
support from Mayor Mouton and Councilman Chris Curio and Councilman Audwin Samuel, are asking
the residents of Beaumont on Bob St to grant permission for the street name to be changed to Boy
Brown Street.
Boy Brown built his home and raised his children on Raven St. and he loved his neighborhood, so we
would like to honor him, We need 2/3 of the residents on Bob St. to agree to this change by agreeing to
add their signature to this petition.
Please help! The hood always remembers!
Remember KJET and Boy Brown.
For additional information) contact Bunn! Brown at 425-523-2088 or email at
BunniBrown56@gmail.com
Resident Signature
1� '
Resident Address
Date
Petition to Rename Bob Street
Citizens of Beaurnont,
In honor of Boy Brown, the an who brought Black soul music to Beaumont, the Brown family with
support from Mayor Mouton and Councilman Chris Durio and Councilman Audwin Samuel, are asking
A the residents of Beaumont on Bob St to grant perm ission for the street name to be changed to Boy
Brown Street.
Boy Brown built h1s horne and raised his children on Raven St. and he loved h1s neighborhood, so we
would like to honor him. We need 2/3 of the residents on i3ob St. to agree to this change by agreeing to
add their signature to this petition.
Please help I The hood always remembers!
Remember KJET and Boy Brown.
For additional information) contact Bunn'l' Brown at 425-523�2088 or ernall at
Bunn! Brown56 @gmal I -com
Resident Signature
Resident Address
Date
Petition to Rename Bob Street
Citizens of Beaumont,
I n ho nor of Boy Brown t h e man who brought Black soul music to Bea moat, the Brown fa rn i ly with
support from Mayor Mouton and Councilman Chris Durio and CounclImmu
Flan cud Sael, are asking
th e residents of Bemo nt o n Bob St to grant permission for the street name to be changed to Boy
Brown Street.
Boy 13rown built his home and raised his children on Raven St. and he loved his neighborhood, so we
would like to honor him. We need 2/3 of the residents on Bob St. to agree to this change by agreeing to
add their signature to this petition.
Please helpI The hood always remembers.1
Rernernber KJET and Boy Brown,
For additional information, contact Bunni Brown at 425-523-2088 or email at
Bunn!Brown 5C)@gmall.corn
ZIL
Resident Signature
ey
Resident Address
Date
Petition to Rename Bob Street
Otizens of Beaumont,
In honor of Boy Brown, the on who brought Black soul music to Beaijmont, the Brown family with
support fronn Mayor Mouton and Councilman Chris Durso and Councilman Audwin Samuel, are asking
the residents of Beaumont on Bob St to grant permission fort street name to be changed to Boy
Brown Street.
Boy Brown built his home and raised his children on Raven St, and fie loved his neighborhoodl so we
would like to honor him. We need 2/3 of the residents on Bob St. to agree to this change by agreeing to
add their signature to this petition.
Please help! The hood always remembersi
Remember KJET and Boy Brown.
For additional informationj contact Bunni Brown at 425-523-2088 or email at
BunniBrown56@gMai1-COm
Resident Address
Date
Petition to Rename Bob Street
Citizens of Beaumont,
In honor of Boy Brown, the fn a n who brought Black soul m usic to B ea um ont, the Brown far 1 ly with
support from Mayor Mouton and Councilman Chris Durlo and Councilman Audwin Samuel, are asking
the residents of Beaumont on Bob St to Grant permission for the street name to he changed to Boy
Brown Street,
Boy Brown built his home and raig6d his children on Raven St. and he loved his neighborhood, so we
would like to honor him. We need 2/3 of the residents on Bob is to agree to this change by agreeing to
add their signature to this petition.
Please helpI The hood always rernembersi
Remember MET and Boy Brown.
For additional information, contact Bunni Brown at 425-523-2088 ore aif at
ButiniBrown56@gmall.com
Resident Signature
:�-
Resident Address
Date
Petition to Rename Bob Street
Citizens of Beaumont.,
In honor of Boy Brown, the man who brought Black soul music to Beaumont., the Brown family with
support from Mayor Mouton and Councilman Chris Curio and Councilman Audwin Samuel, are asking
the residents of Beaumont on Bob St to grant permission for the street name to be changed to Boy
Brown Street,
Boy Brown built his home and raised his children on Raven St. and he loved h1s neighborhood, so we
would like to honor him. We need 2/3 of the residents on Bob St. to agree to this change by agreeing to
add their signature to this petition.
Please help I The hood always remembersi
Remember KIET and Boy Brown.
For additional information, contact Bunni Brown at 425-523-2088 or email at
Bunn!Brown56@gmaii.com
e9ldent Signature -"-
Resident Address
F e
Date
NYHE SAS, lYilliaiiiIIJ3oy" )Bido)yit)v,,,is a iiintionally aeclHimed diskjockey who found his hoes ehold iiame "Bay" rilghthere
in Beaumont, The beghming of his eareell dates back to the 111storle Beallniont K-JE, T ndio station, whw-D lie disk$ joclOYed fox' 17
ye-ays Foid stni,ted in thoenvly 19501& He also dlslfsjoel�cyed at W13BE fit Chicago,whei-e lie was known as "King Be 0) and,
WREREAS, "Boy" Brownwas bom April 3, 1926 in Savannah, Geoi-giR. Ile ttended college at Savannah State College.
"Boy" NVAS blessed with foul. Children NOth Luvenia vown: Rosalyn, Rhoda, Vincent) and Virgil. Theo, lit 1956, lie married Atin
)3rown and his blessings confinued with foin, more children., Billie (A[� .74 "Dwilly"), Roderick, and Reginn and Kevin )Y110 ftye both
deceased; and,
WfO'l REAS, his first professional position at R radio Cation vas in 1952 tat -A. N Say-minah, Georgia, Ile then accepted
a position witli W-THT in Rartford, Coxinectleut before starting leis historical caveerwifli K-Xi T radia statiom'TV' 13t-own roso tO
the. top of X-JET and became R Program Director and Amiouncer. X-JE, T was Bo,.mmontls first African A-morcall owned radlo
station at 1380 on the AM axial. X-JET was also known as beiiig located at 1250 AM and 107.7 FM oln tht radio. X-JET` opw-ated
ill the eat-ly 1950 18 fill-ough the 19 70 1 S. X-jw Radio NY as oil 0 of fl) e rely Texn S )'Redo statiom biv ited to the White Tfous o by f1i o hate
President ] ,char{ Nixon to be ho no I-0 fo I, thel r gre,.It influence and supcess. X-JE T did not only p rovid o secular inusle- but wris wry
well lilt Own for. the gosp el musle thoy Played all a the gosp 01 115SIC j 0 ekeys w1jo 11sliel-c d the niti sic-, A rou gh to the co in niii n Ity. K--JrjT
played tile hottest rhythill Rild bluu and jazz, It de-punds on which years of their operatioll you 11appened to tillic into biltyoll
could 11 1w ays 11OR r mus! is by the greats: dames Brown) Ray Chn 1-les, )3,13. Xlilg, Johnny Taylor and U We Richard, only to ji ame a few.
In fact, the legend ary Ames B rown a il d NVI Illam IT oy" 13 row 11 a 1, 0 faridly and their to leii t and loge for music runs deep ill the family' s
shared passions, Many will I-etembor KJL1 T's popular slogwi hi the 1970's "Butirise to Sunset, youv best bet is X-JET"; and,
W1-W,1RT,?AS, "Boy" Brown was Ft frRl*l blazer in radio and found national recogniflon and respeet In the 'ado comMulflity.
"Boy" -Brown jointed the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers (NA TRA) in 1960 and sowed In the followhig
capReities; 'Vice Presidont,Bonrd of Divectorsj and served ns the l'reside ritof the through 1967.
Kewas selected as the most outstandhigand influonfinl ritcHo personality of the year during ilia 176 annual conveintimi of the NATRA.
"Boy" Bmwn was the director of X-JXr and vice president of the nationat group during the Hine, lie was awarded. He was also
neat-ded the Tonnny Smalls Mcinoriftl Award In lianor of the late foundiar of the NATRA sissocistjoit, Ra Nvas inducted into flee NATRA
B;111 of fanie in the liational lion dquarters ill C111O.Rgo. His nallic is included lie (lie publication "Who's WlioAnioiig)3hole Aiiiei,lenjis"
1975-1976edifim He wnsa lifetime member, of the NAACP, Ile was a member of the YMCA, "Boy" Brown became tart independent
Record Representative for Motown Record Carpora(ion. He received the X3111board Ah- Personality kward In 1970, He vyns also
aiyarded tine fifle. of Colonel on tit P. executive 8 ( aff by Gov orn o r L, dw In E divarils bi 1973; arid,
w=1 1w, AS) 'D oy 11 )3 yolvil )y orl(ed air played with tliG b est and brightest in the business. His K-Mrf teani became fain ily.
Together, this dyll-aill Ie teftill b Volca down h n r6ers a n d paved the wRy as the first tealn of Do's to pl ny soul milsic in Southeast Tem.
A fnny of 'T oy" :B row Ws Inilliedlate disk o ekey family and IWE T d jskj c akey fa nifly, acid filends, b eing honom d today i i1clude
"WILLIE, K" WILLIE KNIGHTON- The Last Llying Origil n al K-JE T Legend
CAL W11; AYE, R
GIERALD LOE B
LLOYD JONE 8
TONY U NVO
TUP Y DURIdS 0
MYRA JAY
'SUNNY" BROWN
NOW, TIT MEY ORE) 1) Becky Anws, Mayor of the City of )3e3amnonf, reflect oil the posifive eontributlons of William (I)BOY 9
Brown and tiro K-J71T Legendary DiskToelceys they have bestowcd upon tiro coinniunity, and do liereby proclahil this day, Decoillbor
81 2U01 fis
193 OY" DRO WNI S DAY"
in lkauniallt; and lirge, the COP11111111kY (0 reflect On 010 MORS6119 impact of" oy" Bvowll's legacy and the 1cgandRry1(-JETDTs-
A
ACCORDINGLY, ilia Mayor has her cunto set her
M harid ;jij cl caused tire, efl I of the City of )3 cati inont to lee affixed
Z2022-442: Request for a street dedication in honor of Boy Brown.
,pplicant: Velina Hayes Johnson
,ocation: 3800-4400 block of Bob Street
0 100 200
Feet