City of Milwaukee - File #: 251689

• File #: 251689
• Version: 1
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 2/10/2026
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL
• Final action: 6/23/2026
• Title: Substitute resolution assigning the honorary street name Mary L. McCormick to North Prospect Avenue from East State Street to East Mason Street in the 4th Aldermanic District.
• Sponsors: THE CHAIR
• Indexes: STREET NAMES

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
6/26/2026	1	MAYOR	SIGNED
6/23/2026	1	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED	Pass	14:0
6/10/2026	1	PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION; Minutes note: Appeared Barbara Velez (from the Rotary Club of Milwaukee)-spoke about Ms. McCormick’s 25-year tenure as Executive Director of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, highlighting her work on the Milwaukee Urban Stables and scholarship programs. Appeared Dessalegn Bekele (DPW) Appeared John Brey (DPW)	Pass	5:0
6/1/2026	0	CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE NAMING OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FACILITIES AND STREETS	RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION AND ASSIGNED; Minutes note: Appeared John Brey (DPW) Appeared Dessalegn Bekele (DPW) Appeared Barbara Velez (from the Rotary Club of Milwaukee) She is set to retire after 25 years as Executive Director of the Rotary Club, a period marked by substantial leadership and community impact: Under her tenure, McCormick led fundraising and realization of major civic projects such as the Rotary Amphitheater at Discovery World, the Live at the Lake Front concert series, the renovation of Brown Street Academy and Johnson's Park Playground, and the creation of the Rotary Centennial Arboretum, which involved raising over $400,000. The Rotary Club, under her direction, also funded Milwaukee Urban Stables and launched the RCM Scholarship Program offering full four-year scholarships and mentorship's to first-generation college students, with 50 graduates and 27 ongoing scholars at the time of the meeting. Beyond Rotary, McCormick's civic service included work with Friends of Shorewood Nature Preserve, the Guest House of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Children’s Village, and Milwaukee Women Inc. She served as board chair for Well Point (formerly Saint A’s), and was named Mentor of the Year by Tempo. She also served on boards of Saint Robert School and the Shorewood Foundation, with her leadership recognized citywide as a model for making a lasting difference in the community fabric. DPW clarified that the designation "Way" would be removed from the sign to leave only the name Mary Ellen McCormick. Member O'Neil made a motion to approved, Member Elmer second the motion recommend approval. The committee voted unanimously to approve the nomination.	Pass	5:0
5/13/2026	0	CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE NAMING OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FACILITIES AND STREETS	HEARING NOTICES SENT
5/13/2026	0	CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE NAMING OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FACILITIES AND STREETS	HEARING NOTICES SENT
2/10/2026	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

251689

Version

SUBSTITUTE 1

Reference

Sponsor

THE CHAIR

Title

Substitute resolution assigning the honorary street name Mary L. McCormick to North Prospect Avenue from East State Street to East Mason Street in the 4th Aldermanic District.

Analysis

This resolution assigns honorary street name Mary L. McCormick to North Prospect Avenue from East State Street to East Mason Street in the 4th Aldermanic District.

Body

Whereas, An application was submitted by Barbara J. Velez on January 22, 2026; and

Whereas, The application was reviewed by the Department of Public Works and all related costs have been paid; and

Whereas, The Citizen Advisory Committee on the Naming of Public Buildings, Facilities and Streets met on June 1^st, 2026 and voted unanimously to recommend approval of this honorary naming; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that assigning the honorary name Mary L. McCormick to North Prospect Avenue from East State Street to East Mason Street, is approved.

Requestor

Department of Public Works

Drafter

CC-CC

Carmen Roman

06/01/26