Title
Joan Ganz Cooney Way Ceremonial Street Name Signage - District 8
Description
Request City Council approval to install ceremonial street signage to honor Joan Ganz Cooney, creator of Sesame Street. The ceremonial signage will be installed at the intersection of 7th and Van Buren Street.
Report
Summary
Joan Ganz Cooney was more than a pioneer in television; she was a visionary who changed the lives of millions of children around the globe. As the creator of Sesame Street and the co-founder of the Children’s Television Workshop, she saw the potential for media to reach children who needed educational opportunities the most. Her groundbreaking idea transformed a simple television program into a trusted teacher, helping generations of children learn their first letters, numbers, and lessons about kindness, acceptance, and understanding. Joan Ganz Cooney’s story is also deeply connected to Phoenix. She was born and raised in our community, and the values she brought from Phoenix helped shape a legacy that reached far beyond Arizona. She showed that a person from our city could create something that brought hope, learning, and joy to children everywhere. Through her work, Joan Ganz Cooney opened doors for children who may not have had access to early education. She believed every child deserved the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, regardless of their circumstances. Because of her vision, millions of children entered school more prepared, more confident, and more curious about the world around them. Her impact cannot be measured only in classrooms or television screens, it can be seen in the lives, dreams, and futures of the children and families she touched. A depiction of the sign placement at 7th and Van Buren Street is provided in Attachment A.
Financial Impact
The fabrication, installation, and maintenance costs of the ceremonial street name sign will be funded by the requestor.
Location
7th and Van Buren Street
District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Frank McCune and the Street Transportation Department.