Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
3 <br /> RES-2024-063 Attachment 1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> RESOLUTION NAMING THE 203 GREENSBORO PROJECT THE DRAKEFORD <br /> LIBRARY COMPLEX <br /> WHEREAS, a Naming Committee comprised of members from the Board of Orange County <br /> Commissioners, Carrboro Town Council, and Friends of the Library met in the spring of 2024 <br /> to develop a community engagement process to name the public building jointly operated by <br /> the Town of Carrboro and Orange County at 203 S. Greensboro Street; and <br /> WHEREAS, the committee reviewed results from a communitywide survey that received more <br /> than 200 responses and subsequently took a formal vote on September 24, 2024, to <br /> recommend that the building be named the Drakeford Library Complex; and <br /> WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Drakeford made history as Carrboro's first Black mayor, elected in <br /> 1977 and serving until 1983; and <br /> WHEREAS, Dr. Drakeford served as Alderman from 1975 to 1977 before being elected as <br /> mayor in 1977, and as a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill's city and regional planning program, he <br /> was an advocate for public transit and cycling, and he developed valuable collaborations with <br /> other progressive Black mayors in the South during his tenure; and <br /> WHEREAS, Dr. Drakeford held public office when the Council (then Board of Aldermen) hired <br /> Richard Knight as the town's first Black town manager, employed from 1976-1980. And he <br /> served as mayor during the hiring of the Town's first professional planner, who was Black. This <br /> decision helped set high standards that eventually made Carrboro more accessible to <br /> pedestrians and cyclists. He also established a loan program to encourage business <br /> entrepreneurs and created the Carrboro Community Park, later renamed the Hank Anderson <br /> Community Park. The biggest issue during his tenure was planning the Chapel Hill-Carrboro <br /> Bus System; and <br /> WHEREAS, Dr. Drakeford was a veteran who proudly served our country in the United States <br /> Army from 1966 to 1968. Following his time in service, he received a Bachelor's Degree from <br /> Quinnipiac University and his Master's Degree at the University of North Carolina -Chapel Hill, <br /> going on to further his education by receiving his Doctorate of Philosophy from the University <br /> of North Carolina-Greensboro. He was a Political Science Professor, serving with the U.S. <br /> Department of Agriculture and 4-H Development at Auburn University; and <br /> WHEREAS, Dr. Drakeford was born on April 25,1945 in New York City, N.Y., son of the late <br /> Robert and Elizabeth McLeod Drakeford, and died on May 16, 2022 (buried at the Sandhills <br /> State Veterans Cemetery); <br /> NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County <br /> Commissioners will remember Robert Drakeford for his service to the community by naming <br /> the new public building in his honor as the Drakeford Library Complex. <br /> This the 7th day of November, 2024. <br /> Jamezetta Bedford, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />