The Fort Worth City Council this week unanimously approved renaming the Hillside Recreation Center in honor of Atatiana Jefferson.
The city facility is three blocks — a 6-minute walk — from Jefferson’s home, where she was shot and killed by former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean on Oct. 12, 2019.
“As elected officials, elected by the people, by more than the ones that are sitting here, to be the voice for our community,” said District 8 council member Chris Nettles.
District 5 council member Gyna Bivens supported the move as a means to help Jefferson’s 11-year-old nephew Zion Carr, who was in Jefferson’s home the night she was killed.
“I would not want to be a part of the body that dashed all hopes he had of justice, of respect, of admiration,” Bivens said.
Most citizens who spoke at the meeting were in favor of the change, but a few asked for a delay or alternative naming ideas.
Claudine Brenner told the council the change would be a strong signal for Fort Worth children.
“Renaming the community center will give our youth a powerful name to look up to and proved a reminder for our youth that we are creating a future for them,” Brenner said.
LaDonna Myers said the name change would serve as a reminder of the mistake by Dean that resulted in a manslaughter conviction and nearly 12-year prison sentence.
“Instead of a place of healing it would be a flashpoint about a rogue officer with the very worst outcome possible,” Myers said.
Fort Worth acquired Hillside Park in 1911 and the community center was built in 1970, parks and recreation department director Richard Zavala said at the Tuesday meeting.
After just under one hour of citizen input and comments from the council, the name change passed 9-0.
“I am very proud to stand in support,” Bivens said moments before the vote.
