A historic community center in Fort Worth has a new name, but it’s not the one that was originally on the table.
Controversy arose at the Fort Worth City Council meeting Tuesday night over renaming the historic Hillside Recreation Center in honor of Atatiana Jefferson. This comes on the heels of the conviction of former Fort Worth Officer Aaron Dean, who shot and killed Jefferson in 2019.
While many people spoke out in support of the change, some people unexpectedly pushed back against the idea.
Opposers, like Gregory Wesley, suggested other names to the council. He talked generational ties to the community center, saying his mother made a big impact there.
“She fought for additional room for events and a kitchen to provide cooking lessons,” Wesley said to the council. “She fought for the swimming pools, she fought to provide experiencing attending plays at Casa Mañana.”
Things started to get heated. Those in support of the name change didn’t hold back, saying it would bring peace to Jefferson’s grieving family and preserve her legacy.
“For those against it, go to hell,” one man said.
In the end, they reached a compromise. The council amended the proposal, adding Jefferson’s name to the recreation center while keeping the Hillside part. It’s now the Atatiana Carr Jefferson at Hillside Community Center. The vote was unanimous.
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