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File ID: #18917
Resolution
Sponsored by: Mayor Eileen Higgins, Commissioner Damian Pardo,
Commissioner Rolando Escalona, Commissioner Ralph Rosado, Commissioner
Christine King
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
AFFIRMATIVE (4/5THS) VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CITY CODE"), WAIVING ANY RESTRICTIONS
RELATED TO CO -DESIGNATING FRANKLIN AVENUE BETWEEN SOUTHWEST
37TH AVENUE (DOUGLAS ROAD) AND PLAZA STREET AS "REV. THEODORE AND
THELMA GIBSON WAY" IN HONOR OF THE GIBSONS' HISTORIC AND LASTING
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO EFFECTUATE THE CO -DESIGNATION; AND
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
Enactment Number: R-26-0126
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 18917 Final Action Date:3/12/2026
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
AFFIRMATIVE (4/5THS) VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CITY CODE"), WAIVING ANY RESTRICTIONS
RELATED TO CO -DESIGNATING FRANKLIN AVENUE BETWEEN SOUTHWEST
37TH AVENUE (DOUGLAS ROAD) AND PLAZA STREET AS "REV. THEODORE AND
THELMA GIBSON WAY" IN HONOR OF THE GIBSONS' HISTORIC AND LASTING
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF MIAMI; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTION TO EFFECTUATE THE CO -DESIGNATION; AND
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
WHEREAS, Rev. Theodore R. Gibson ("Rev. Gibson") served as one of Miami's most
influential civil rights leaders, a faith leader, and a public servant, including serving as a City of
Miami Commissioner for over nine (9) years and twice as Vice -Mayor, while advancing equality
in education, housing, public accommodations, and civic representation; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Gibson played a central role in advancing civil rights in Miami
throughout the 1950s and 1960s, challenging discriminatory practices in education, housing,
public accommodations, and public transportation, and helping lead the movement that
reshaped equal access for all Miami residents; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Thelma Vernell Anderson Gibson ("Mrs. Gibson") was a pioneering
healthcare leader, surgical nurse, and community advocate who overcame systemic barriers to
serve on the Jackson Health System Board for fifteen (15) years, on the University of Miami
Board of Trustees for two (2) decades, and as interim Miami City Commissioner in 1997; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gibson overcame discriminatory barriers in the nursing and medical
training fields during the 1940s and 1950s, ultimately becoming a leading healthcare advocate
and one of Miami's most influential figures in improving health access and health equity; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gibson's decades of civic service, significantly strengthened Miami's
healthcare infrastructure and community leadership; and
WHEREAS, the Gibsons' combined service to the Miami and South Florida community
spans several decades, during which they championed civil rights, access to healthcare,
improved education, and civic participation, leaving a generational impact on Coconut Grove
and beyond; and
WHEREAS, their historic family residence is located on Franklin Avenue, making this
location emblematic of their life's work and dedication to public service; and
WHEREAS, the co -designation of Franklin Avenue between Southwest 37th Avenue and
Plaza Street as "Rev. Theodore and Thelma Gibson Way" will serve as a lasting tribute to their
legacy and a source of pride and inspiration for residents of the community; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 14317, adopted on September 26, 2024, provides that the
restrictions related to street co -designations contained in Section 54-137 of the Code of the City
of Miami, Florida ("City Code"), may be waived by a four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote of the
City Commissioners, or an unanimous vote of the quorum that exists because of either
abstentions or vacancies resulting from resignation, death, suspension, or physical
incapacitation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission, by a four -fifths affirmative (4/5ths) vote,
pursuant to Section 54-137 of the City Code, hereby waives any restrictions related to the
co -designation of Franklin Avenue between Southwest 37th Avenue (Douglas Road) and Plaza
Street as "Rev. Theodore and Thelma Gibson Way."
Section 3. The City Manager is directed to take all necessary steps to effectuate this
co -designation, including but not limited to the installation of appropriate signage.
Section 4. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Departments of Police, Fire -Rescue, and Solid Waste; the Miami -Dade County Department of
Transportation and Public Works; the Miami -Dade County Commissioner of District 7; the
United States Postal Service; and, if applicable, the Florida Department of Transportation,
District Six, for sign installation within the newly designated roadway.
Section 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: