[Times photo: James Borchuck]
Eric Brown, left, and Matthew Creary support dropping "Ninth" from the formal name of what is now known as Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) Street in St. Petersburg. They may get their wish today. "Diversity is increasing," Creary said. "Now you've got a younger generation." Brown agreed: "There's a change. They're making it better. People get along better."

By BRYAN GILMER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 16, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- In 1987, more than 2,000 white people signed a petition against changing the name of Ninth Street to Dr. M.L. King Street. The City Council squirmed out of the racially charged controversy by simply adding King's name to the street's signs.

This month, fewer than 20 people have complained to City Hall about the idea of permanently removing "Ninth" from the street's name. And more than 100 people have written in favor.

In fact, council members say they consider the idea so noncontroversial that it barely merits debate. They will formally consider a request for the change from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference this afternoon.

"It's just not that big of an issue to warrant a big, long discourse," said council member James Bennett, who is white. "Martin Luther King, he was a major black leader, but he spoke for everyone."

"I have no problem with that," agreed member John Bryan, also white. "It needs to be quick, no big discussion; just do it. The old council made it a big, bad deal, but this new council, we handle things a little differently."

The street runs the length of the city, from the water's edge at the southern tip, through downtown and north to the interstate leading to Tampa. Some have offered some of the same reasons mentioned in 1987 not to rename the street, such as keeping the integrity of the numbered street grid. But those arguments lack racial overtones today.

During the 15 years since the street got its dual name, more black families -- and Hispanic and Asian and eastern European ones -- have moved into the neighborhoods along the northern section of the street, replacing many of the white retirees who used to dominate the area.

A black woman served as chairwoman of St. Petersburg's City Council for two years before her colleagues elected a black man to replace her this year. The city quietly added anti-discrimination protection for gays and lesbians to its laws last year.

St. Petersburg has changed from an old-fashioned city of retirees to a younger, more diverse and politically liberal section of Pinellas County. It is a city openly working to heal its history of racial tension, especially after the civil disturbances in 1996.

It's a shift in attitudes that sneaked up on many people, said Darryl Paulson, a University of South Florida professor who teaches a course in St. Petersburg politics.

"St. Petersburg is a far different community today than it was 15 years ago," he said. "Politically speaking, it's the cornerstone of the Democratic Party in Pinellas County. I think there's probably no city in Pinellas County and few cities in the state of Florida that are less well-understood in terms of their politics and demographics. The public perception of the city bears little resemblance to the reality."

Paulson has studied U.S. Census numbers and found a dramatic dispersal of racial minorities throughout the city.

Eric Brown and Matthew Creary, two black city residents, shopped Wednesday at the Walgreens at King Street and 54th Avenue N, a historically white section of town.

Both said they've seen an enormous increase in racial tolerance during the past two decades. They support naming the street solely after King.

"Diversity is increasing," said Creary, whose brother owns a house near the intersection where he stood. "You're getting a lot of people moving in here after college. Now you've got a younger generation."

Brown agreed: "There's a change. They're making it better. People get along better."

Terry Pedersen, a 57-year-old white resident of the Fossil Park neighborhood, said he has noticed the change, too.

"We're used to it now; the name's okay," he said of King Street. "A lot of (black) people from down south are moving up here with their kids because they feel its safer."

Peggy Peterman, a former St. Petersburg Times columnist and editorial writer, advocated for such changes for years. She is black.

"There was some changing of minds," she said. "We blended and found out, hey, I'm not going to die if somebody (of another race) moves in next to me. We found out that you can sit next to an African-American in your boardroom and he's all right, and he's intelligent and he can spell and read."

She also credits the integration of public schools and the natural open-mindedness of children.

"I've got a lot of faith in young people today," she said. "I watch them, even the loud ones in the mall. It's no big thing, how they commingle and blend. I really believe that we might make it."

If you go

The City Council will consider dropping "Ninth" from Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) Street today at 3 p.m. at City Hall, 175 Fifth St. N.

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