Naming of Public Facilities and Memorial Roadways
Memorials and Commemorative Names
Commemorative names and memorial roadways provide a lasting way to honor important individuals, events, and features in Lacey. They reflect the people, values, and history that helped shape our community.
To request commemorative naming of City roadways and public facilities, community members or organizations must submit an application to our Communications Department through the link below. The City Council will have final approval of completed applications.
Naming Criteria
When reviewing commemorative naming requests, the City gives priority to the following:
- Geographic or commonly identified names
- Natural or geological features
- Significant historical events of cultural attributes
- Historical or cultural figures
- Outstanding individuals in the community
- Veterans or military units with exceptional service contributions
- Individual(s) who has made a significant land or financial contribution to the City
- Business or organization that has donated land or a facility or has assisted in financing a public facility
You can find more information about requirements and the approval process in the City Council Policies – Procedure M
Memorial Signs
If you lost a loved one in a traffic accident, you can sponsor a memorial sign in their honor. Memorial signs can help promote traffic safety awareness in the area.
Please review our City policy for more information on sponsorship and sign installation.
City Policy
Purpose:
The City of Lacey has adopted the following policy to provide families with a way to sponsor a memorial sign in honor of a loved one lost in a traffic incident and raise the public’s awareness of the need to drive safely.
Private memorials including candles, flowers, balloons, or any other items are not allowed along roadways due to the safety risks involved to those who wish to place, maintain, or pay respects to a memorial site. This program ensures that memorial signs are located and installed in a safe and consistent manner. Applicants must agree not to visit or hold memorial gatherings at the sign site for safety of themselves and the traveling public.
The following messages, relating to the cause of the crash, are available for memorial sign installation.
- Please Don’t Drink and Drive
- Please Don’t Drug and Drive
- Please Don’t Speed
- Please Drive Sober
- Please Drive Safely
- Please Ride Safely
- Please Watch for Pedestrians
- Please Watch for Bicyclists
- Please Watch for Motorcyclists
- Reckless Driving Cost Lives
- Seat Belts Save Lives
- Stay Alert Drive Safe
A secondary name plaque displays the message “In memory of (deceased’s name)”. Up to three secondary name plaques may accompany a single memorial sign upon city approval.
Requesting a Memorial Sign:
Memorial Signs requests may only be submitted by an immediate family member of the deceased with a loss of life event that occurred.
Costs for signs and installation are $500 per location. The requester shall submit a letter to the Public Works Department. The request letter should include the following items:
- The name of the deceased and their relationship to the requester. If the requester is not an immediate family member, they must include written permission from a family member authorizing the request.
- The date, street, and approximate time and location of the collision.
- The cause of the collision, including details about the use of alcohol or drugs, distraction, etc. A police report can be helpful in providing these details.
- What safety message and plaque are being requested for the sign.
- A primary point of contact in case of any follow up questions or additional information is needed.
The Public Works Department will review the details provided and, if approved, respond with a letter to the requester. If the results of the review confirm that the criteria within the policy are met, the process will proceed.
Sign Installation:
When payment has been received, the City will order the memorial signs. Sign fabrication and installation typically takes 90 to 120 days from the date the order is placed. Sign size and color shall follow WSDOT standards.
The City will select, purchase, install, remove, and retain ownership of memorial signs. Signs will be installed in accordance with applicable City policies and standards for signs. This includes posts, hardware, materials, vertical, longitudinal, and lateral positioning.
Memorial signs shall be placed in close proximity, in direction of travel, within the right of way, to where the accident occurred at a location where the City determines it is safe and practical. Memorial signs shall not obstruct regulatory or warning signs.
At any time after initial installation, the requester may request to take possession of the memorial signs. After the memorial signs are taken down per this request it is incumbent on the requester to take possession of the signs within 30 days. Otherwise, these signs may be disposed of.
The City will offer a one-time replacement if the sign is vandalized or damaged for a period of five years following the initial installation. Upon the end of the 5-year period, the sign may be taken down at the city’s sole discretion.
Approved Commemorative Names of Public Facilities and Memorial Roadways
Chief Steve Brooks Commemorative Roadway
On February 4, 2025, the City honored retired Lacey Fire District #3 Chief Steve Books with a commemorative roadway on Franz Street SE, between Pacific Ave SE and Lacey Blvd SE.
Chief Brooks retired on January 10, 2025. For 20 years, he provided exceptional service and leadership to the Lacey community, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to its safety and well-being.
Chief Brooks’ leadership strengthened the partnership between the Fire District and the City and set a lasting standard for effective interagency collaboration.
MSG Leslie Johnson Memorial Roadway
MSG Leslie Johnson Road, located on Golf Club Road SE between 3rd Av SE and 6th Ave SE, honors the late Master Sergeant (Ret.) Leslie “Les” Johnson. MSG Johnson enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 as a Combat Medic. He went on to serve bravely in World War II and the Korean War.
MSG Johnson received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor for his meritorious service. He also received presidential and congressional medals, citations, and commendations. Master Sergeant Johnson served in the Army for 24 years before retiring and making Lacey his home .
Master Sergeant Les Johnson exemplified courage, leadership, and lifelong service to his country and the Lacey community
Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center
In 2015, Lacey Councilmembers unanimously supported a motion to rename the Lacey Senior Center to the Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center in honor of the long-standing City official.
Virgil Clarkson, one of the longest-serving councilmembers in the City’s history, dedicated nearly two decades of service to the Lacey community. He made history as the City’s first Black mayor and served three terms as mayor and two terms as deputy mayor.
Virgil’s extensive career in public service also included serving on numerous boards and committees and donating countless hours to community organizations. His dedication to people and communities showed through his advocacy for seniors and people of color, and ensuring Lacey and its surrounding areas became better places to work, live, and play. Virgil played an instrumental role in securing funds for the construction of the Senior Center in 2003 and its expansion in 2011.
“Virgil was the ultimate standard-bearer for this community – a true leader through and through; his character, reputation, and the life he led set the highest bar for leaders in our community to exemplify,” stated Mayor Andy Ryder. “He helped shape Lacey and the surrounding communities at a pivotal time. His profound legacy will live on in our community for many generations to come.”
