WASHINGTON — One year after his death, a D.C. commission is recommending ways the city can permanently honor “Mayor For Life” Marion Barry.
They include placing a bust or statue of Barry in the Wilson Building, and renaming both Ballou High School and Good Hope Road after him.
The group is also recommending that Mayor Muriel Bowser ask the University of the District of Columbia’s board to add Barry’s name to its new student center.
The D.C. Commission to Commemorate and Recognize the Honorable Marion S. Barry, Jr. was appointed by Bowser in March. Now, it’s up to Bowser to consider the recommendations.
“I’d like them all, from what it sounds like on first blush. But I think the idea of a bust or some piece of artwork is very important,” Bowser told reporters after the suggestions were announced and the commission’s report was handed to her.
Asked how many of the recommendations will become reality, Bowser said, “I would expect that there would be more than one.”
Whatever honor or honors are chosen for Barry, the plan is to include the money to pay for them in the city’s fiscal year 2017 budget.
Bowser says none of the suggestions appear to be too costly.
“They’ll all be within reasonable range,” she said.
