Willie J. Hardy Way Designation Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Symbolically rename the 5000 block of Benning Road SE in Ward 7 as Willie J. Hardy Way, with no fiscal changes, primarily ceremonial signage and acknowledgment.

Referred to Committee of the Whole

Purpose and intent

Designate a specific street segment in Ward 7, DC as a commemorative name: the 5000 block of Benning Road SE, between H Street SE and Southern Avenue SE, in Ward 7, to be known as “Willie J. Hardy Way.”

The designation honors Willie J. Hardy, a longtime Ward 7 resident, community advocate, former Executive Director of the Metropolitan Community Aid Council, and former DC Councilmember (including two years as Chair pro tempore).

Key provisions and changes

Section 2: Symbolic designation

Officially designates the specified block of Benning Road SE as “Willie J. Hardy Way.”
The designation is symbolic (non-physical naming changes are not described as requiring new signage or alterations beyond the symbolic act under the Street and Alley Closing and Acquisitions Procedures Act framework).
Cites authority under the Street and Alley Closing and Acquisitions Procedures Act of 1982 (DC Law 4-201) and relevant DC Official Code sections (9-204.01, 9-204.03a, 9-204.23).

Section 3: Fiscal impact

The bill adopts the fiscal impact statement from the committee report. No standalone fiscal measures or appropriations are introduced; impacts are typically administrative (e.g., signage, maintenance) as reflected in standard practice for symbolic designations.

Section 4: Effective date

Becomes effective after:
Mayor’s approval (or Council action to override a veto), and
A 30-day congressional review period, as required by the DC Home Rule Act.

Who/what is affected

The designation affects the 5000 block of Benning Road SE, between H Street SE and Southern Avenue SE, Ward 7.

It primarily functions as a symbolic/ceremonial naming change; practical implications typically involve signage and potential municipal acknowledgement, without altering street ownership or traffic control authority.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: July 6, 2026, by Councilmember Wendell Felder.

Action history:

Referred to Committee of the Whole (July 14, 2026).
Introduced in the Council on July 6, 2026.

Approval steps:

Requires mayoral approval (or Council override of veto) plus a 30-day congressional review period before taking effect.

Summary assessment

The bill is a ceremonial designation honoring Willie J. Hardy by naming a street segment after her.

It aligns with existing statutory authority for symbolic street designations and follows standard legislative procedures for DC commemorative naming.

No specified funding or substantive policy changes accompany the designation; impact is largely ceremonial with potential minor administrative costs for signage and city branding.