Atlanta proposal would rename Old Wheat Street for Cornelius Taylor, killed during 2025 encampment clearing

Legislation planned as advocates mark one-year anniversary of fatal sweep

Atlanta lawmakers are expected to consider a proposal to rename Old Wheat Street as “Cornelius Taylor Street,” memorializing a man who died on Jan. 16, 2025, during a city-led clearing of a homeless encampment in the Old Fourth Ward area near Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Organizers backing the renaming have scheduled a public turnout at Atlanta City Hall at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, as part of a week of memorial and service events marking one year since Taylor’s death.

What is known about Taylor’s death

Taylor, 46, was fatally injured when heavy equipment used in the clearing operation struck and collapsed his tent while he was inside. He was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital and later died.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was blunt force injuries. The autopsy described major trauma including a pelvic fracture and internal injuries that led to significant blood loss.

Street-renaming effort and how it works

Renaming a city street typically requires legislation and a public process that can include committee review, city council action, and administrative steps for signage and address-related updates. Supporters say the intent is to permanently associate the location with Taylor’s death and the broader debate over how Atlanta handles unsheltered homelessness.

Supporters describe the renaming as a memorial and a call for policy changes tied to encampment clearings and housing access.

Legal and policy backdrop

Taylor’s death has also moved into the courts. His family has filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Atlanta seeking damages related to the incident, alleging failures in how the clearing was conducted and in checks for occupied tents.

After the death, the city temporarily paused encampment clearings and convened a time-limited homelessness task force to review practices and recommend changes. Since then, the city has continued to conduct encampment actions as it balances public safety concerns, sanitation issues, and neighborhood complaints with demands from advocates for approaches centered on housing placement and services.

What happens next

The proposal to rename Old Wheat Street is expected to be introduced at City Hall this week. If the measure advances, additional votes and implementation steps would follow. For residents and businesses, a formal renaming can carry practical implications—ranging from navigation and emergency response mapping to address updates—while supporters say the public recognition is intended to keep attention on the circumstances of Taylor’s death.

• Date of death: Jan. 16, 2025
• Proposed new name: Cornelius Taylor Street
• Location: Old Wheat Street area near Ebenezer Baptist Church
• Next public milestone: City Hall meeting, Jan. 20, 2026