Detroit Mayor Proposes to Rename Chene Park After Aretha Franklin

Braudie Blais-Billie
Updated
Mayor Mike Duggan made the announcement during the Queen of Soul’s funeral service

Today, a televised funeral service for Aretha Franklin is happening in Detroit. The late Queen of Soul is being honored with performances from Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Faith Hill and many others. Following Hill’s performance, Detroit’s Mayor Mike Duggan gave a speech, announcing that he “will be sending city counsel a proposal” to rename the city’s Chene Park to Aretha Franklin Park. Watch the announcement below via WXYZ Detroit.

Chene Park, located on the waterfront in downtown Detroit, is home to a 6,000-seat amphitheater known for its summer jazz, soul, and blues concerts. Last night, Chene Park hosted an Aretha tribute concert with performances from Detroit artists and more.

Read Pitchfork’s Afterword feature “How Aretha Franklin Earned Her Crown As the Queen of Soul.”

See the video.