Urbana residents asked the Historic Preservation Commission on Monday night to consider honorary street namings for longtime community leaders, and urged the city to create clearer procedures for public commemoration.

At public comment, Benita Rollins Gay said she was in favor of naming a street after Janice Mitchell and offered to gather signatures in support, saying, “I could go into community and get 1000 signatures” to show local backing. Janice Nance, Mitchell’s daughter, described her mother’s decades of community work including founding after‑school and college‑readiness programs and said the family would support an honorary naming.

Elaine Owens and Bob Ward spoke in support of naming a street for Lawrence “LC” Owens. Elaine Owens said LC’s work “served children, family, and the wider community” and noted his long service at the University of Illinois and as a foster‑care provider. Several former program participants and staff, including Sage Williams and Che Orosco, gave personal testimonials about how Mitchell and Owens helped youth stay on track during the pandemic and through long‑term mentoring.

Architectural designer and University of Illinois educator Joseph Altschuler used his public comment to urge the commission to update Urbana’s historic building survey, noting that buildings from the 1950s–1970s are reaching the 50‑year threshold for consideration and “are most at risk of demolition.” He offered university partnership to help city staff document mid‑century historic resources.

Commissioners did not take action on the honorary naming requests during the public‑comment period. Chair indicated the commission could work with staff to add the subject to a future agenda, and staff said the likely earliest venue for formal study or a vote would be the February meeting. Olivia Jovine, Director of Community Development Services, clarified that “there has been no directive by staff, the city council, nor the administration for the historic preservation commission to develop a plan” but that staff can research options and support a study session if the council directs further action.

The commission encouraged proponents to provide documentation and indicated staff would help determine which city bodies would have responsibility for any formal program.