A portion of Union Avenue between South Dunlap and South Manassas streets in the Medical District has been renamed to honor former Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris.
The new street sign for Lee A. Harris Avenue was unveiled Wednesday, Sept. 23, at a renaming ceremony.
After Harris left office in August following the county general election, the Memphis City Council passed a resolution in early September to add his name to the stretch of roadway. Harris served two consecutive four-year terms, the limit allowed for the position.
Family and close friends attended the renaming ceremony, along with the Overton High School marching band. Harris is an Overton alum.
Before he was elected county mayor, Harris, who plans to join the faculty of the University of Mississippi School of Law, also served on city council and as a state senator.
Harris views the honor as symbolic of what can be achieved, he said, carrying a message of limitless possibilities.
“I hope it is seen as a sign that anyone in this county can change anything,” he said.
