Norwalk council unanimously renames Knight Street for longtime gospel singer Cutie Mae Jordan

The Norwalk Common Council voted unanimously on March 10 to give an honorary name to Knight Street — designating it “Cutie Mae Jordan Way” — following a sustained public participation period in which family members, clergy and community leaders urged the recognition of Jordan’s decades of musical and civic service.

The motion to approve the honorary naming was moved by Council Member Weatherstrand and seconded from the floor; after several council members spoke in support the measure passed without objection. Mayor Barbara C. Smith and council members highlighted Jordan’s long tenure directing choirs, mentoring young people and performing at citywide events, and several speakers urged the council to ensure the ceremony occurs while Jordan can attend.

The renaming proposal drew a string of personal tributes during public comment. Catherine Williams Murchison told the council Jordan “has been instrumental” across churches and schools in Norwalk and urged approval. Kyle Jordan, who said he is carrying the request forward on behalf of his late father, described his grandmother’s decision to remain in Norwalk rather than pursue a record deal as an example of service: “She decided to raise her family here in Norwalk. She wanted to give her gift and bless the city.” Monique Guilford, identified as Jordan’s oldest granddaughter, and other relatives recounted Jordan’s role as a choir director, mentor and community fixture going back decades.

Council members framed the vote as an effort to ‘give people their flowers while they can smell them.’ Council Member Hossett, speaking about the broader value of civic naming, said such honors “pay off over multiple generations” by helping future residents learn local histories. Council Member Weatherstrand moved the street‑renaming motion, and the council president and several colleagues echoed the call to recognize Jordan at a public dedication; Weatherstrand suggested arranging a July 4 appearance so Jordan might sing as part of the celebration.

The council also handled other business of the evening. It unanimously reappointed Catherine Williams Murchison to the Board of Ethics and approved the appointment of John Hubers to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Earlier in the meeting the council approved an item authorizing the mayor to accept a gift of $100,000 or more to create a children’s reading room at the Norwalk Public Library; the motion included an on‑the‑record amendment to the trust name, which was read into the minutes as the “W Bridal Gar and Lauren Kellman Living Trust.”

Votes at a glance
• Honorary renaming of Knight Street to “Cutie Mae Jordan Way” — outcome: approved unanimously.
• Authorization to accept a gift of $100,000+ and name a public children’s reading room at Norwalk Public Library (named on the record as the Celeste Weigar children’s reading room; donor trust amended on the floor) — outcome: approved unanimously.
• Reappointment of Catherine Williams Murchison to the Board of Ethics — approved unanimously.
• Appointment of John Hubers to the Planning and Zoning Commission — approved unanimously.

The council did not record a roll‑call vote tally in the meeting transcript; actions were adopted on unanimous hand/voice votes as noted on the record. The council indicated plans to schedule a public dedication for the newly named street when weather permits.