City of Gainesville - File #: 170453.

• File #: 170453.
• Version: 5
• Name: Tom Petty Remembrance
• Type: Discussion Item
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 10/5/2017
• In control: City Manager
• On agenda: 10/5/2017
• Title: Tom Petty Remembrance (NB) This is a request for the City Commission to hear an update on the park renaming and events commemorating Tom Petty.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
4/26/2018	4	General Policy Committee	Approved, as shown above	Pass
3/22/2018	3	General Policy Committee	Heard
11/9/2017	2	General Policy Committee	Discussed
10/5/2017	1	City Commission	Referred	Pass

Title
Tom Petty Remembrance (NB)

This is a request for the City Commission to hear an update on the park renaming and events commemorating Tom Petty.

Explanation
On October 2, 2017, the residents of Gainesville lost a beloved musician and hometown hero, Tom Petty. In the months since his passing, residents have requested that the City of Gainesville find a way to publicly honor Petty in a lasting and meaningful way.

On November 9, 2017, the General Policy Committee discussed engaging the public through the use of public surveys to select an appropriate way to remember Tom Petty. The Strategic Initiatives and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) Departments analyzed feedback from the surveys and presented a list of options for the General Policy Committee’s consideration. Staff also circulated a Park Renaming Petition as required by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Park naming Policy. At the April 26, 2018, General Policy Committee meeting a Motion was made to 1) rename Northeast Park "Tom Petty Park" and dedicate it on or near his birthday; 2) direct staff to come back with a plan to coordinate (along with Heartwood) a music festival in October; and 3) the park will include some type of marker explaining why the park is named after Tom Petty.

At the July 18, 2018 Parks and Recreation Advisory board staff reported that over 500 signatures were received recommending the renaming of “Northeast Park” to “Tom Petty Park”. Staff contacted relatives of Tom Petty to provide updates on the status of the Park renaming. The representative of Tom Petty’s estate asked to assist in the graphic design of the park signage. Staff met with representatives of Heartwood regarding their concert event. Additionally, Depot Park staff is working with a promoter who has booked the park for a Petty-related musical event. It was also indicated that Tom Petty’s brother and daughter will possibly be in town for the park renaming and related events.

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