Community members and elected officials will gather at the corner of West Fourth Street and Burton Avenue at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28, to unveil the first honorary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way sign.

Lewes Mayor and City Council voted to move forward with an honorific naming of West Fourth Street in January after several months of debate in the community. The street’s honorary naming celebrates the contributions of the African-American community to Lewes.

To further ensure Lewes’ African-American history and contributions are celebrated, city officials also created the Lewes African-American Heritage Commission, which will develop a walking tour of Lewes highlighting significant African-American community members and sites. The goal is to have the walking tour available through a brochure and on a smartphone app. The commission has already met twice. 

Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, has agreed to use his community transportation funds for the purchase and installation of the new street signs.

Although the request was for Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Mayor Ted Becker said, the city chose “Way” because West Fourth Street is not a boulevard – typically a wide tree-lined street with a median.

Lopez also agreed to fund a historic marker that will be placed somewhere in the community to recognize the African-American community. Language for the marker will be drafted by the new heritage commission.

For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.