The City Commission of Gainesville unanimously voted to dual-name Northeast/Southeast First Street as Terry Fleming Street and approved staff plans to incorporate the rainbow brick pavers removed from downtown into a permanent feature within the renovated City Hall plaza.

The action recognizes long-time LGBTQ advocate Terry Fleming and directs staff to finalize a design, in coordination with the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, that will preserve and display the bricks on city property. Commissioners also referred a recommendation to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board to explore a historical marker explaining the bricks’ history and significance.

Terry Fleming, a Navy veteran and longtime local organizer, was credited in the resolution with founding the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida and with advocacy on issues including civil protections, homeless services and community visibility. The resolution names the stretch of First Street from Northeast Second Avenue to Southeast Second Avenue as Terry Fleming Street and became effective immediately upon adoption.

Roxy Gonzalez, director of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, told commissioners staff had identified a triangle area on the City Hall campus — a seating and photo-op space with ADA access — as a suitable permanent location for the bricks. “This reuse accomplishes several important goals. It ensures preservation of a significant public art and cultural asset,” Gonzalez said, and noted the work will be absorbed within the existing City Hall renovation budget.

Don Smith Lopez, president of the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, urged the city to keep the original bricks and their story visible. “This visible, accessible, and ADA compliant space will definitely preserve the spirit and history of the original rainbow crosswalks while creating a welcoming environment for everyone downtown,” he said.

Public commenters asked the commission to consider creative reuses for the bricks beyond the plaza and to hold some bricks in reserve for community groups. Staff said roughly 1,900 bricks had been removed and preserved, but not all are in good condition; some may break during reuse and a smaller number likely will be available for distribution to partners. Brian Singleton, special adviser for infrastructure, said the bricks are old and “not in the best shape” but that the city can reposition and repaint them so the final installation will be functional and colorful.

Commissioners discussed markers, broader distribution and neighborhood placements to ensure the memorial is visible across the city. Commissioner Chestnut moved to advance staff’s recommendation for reuse; the motion passed unanimously. The commission also voted unanimously to refer to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board a request to explore a historical marker and return recommendations to the commission within 90 days.

The Pride Community Center said it expects to include the renaming ceremony in its November 1 Pride Festival plans and will continue working with city staff on the bricks’ final design. Staff will return to the commission with community engagement results and final design proposals as the City Hall renovation proceeds.