On November 8, the Tallahassee City Commission voted unanimously to rename the Gemini Building in honor of former Tallahassee Mayor John R. Marks, III. Marks was first elected as mayor in 2003 and later re-elected in 2006 and 2010.
The honor was requested by former Congressman Al Lawson in a letter to the City Manager. The letter is provided below.
Lawson stated that “Mayor Mark’s legacy is deeply rooted in our community” and that “Marks was an exemplary representative, leader and ambassador for our city.”
However, Dr. Erwin Jackson provided comment at the meeting via telephone and asked elected officials not to support the request.
Jackson sparred with Marks while he was mayor on several issues including a southside biomass project, the investigation into a non-profit that employed Marks, Marks’ relationship with Honeywell and the infamous “kill switch.”
The item presented to the Commission noted that “Mayor Marks championed many community initiatives, including the Gaines Street Revitalization Project; the development of College Town; the transformation of Cascades Park and FAMU Way; the recruitment of Danfoss Turbocor; and the creation of the Summit on Race, Culture, and Human Relations, among others. “
Without comment, the city commission voted 5-0 to support the request.
