In a few weeks when the public gets access to the new, reconstructed Avenue of the Fountains median area they actually will be enjoying the “Avenue of the Fountains Plaza.”

The Town Council voted to adopt the median name after a discussion at its Nov. 6 regular session.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh was hesitant, saying much of the input she received opposed making a change.

“(People) are suggesting we embrace the history of what is there and promote the name instead of moving away from it,” she said.

Kavanagh indicated that seemed to be the sentiment from comments she was receiving, and she also referred to an unscientific online poll done on The Times website where 97 percent did not want to change the name.

There were 69 responses to that poll question (67-2).

Councilwoman Ginny Dickey was more attuned to those who responded to the town and made their suggestions to staff.

“There were 228 people who thought to give us a suggestion,” Dickey said. “I thought it was a positive, fun thing to do.”

According to the staff report, of the 228 responses received, just 21 suggested the name not be changed.

With regard to frequency of suggestion, staff reported “plaza” had a frequency of 15 times, along with other names such as “promenade,” “green,” “pavilion” and “commons.”

Councilman Dennis Brown emphasized that there may have been some misunderstanding with the public thinking they were changing the street name.

“We are not changing the Avenue of the Fountains,” Brown said. “We are giving a name to the median. It is now a beautiful addition.

“At no time have we talked about renaming the street.”

Councilman Henry Leger said people approached him asking about renaming the Avenue.

“We are not; we are naming the median,” Leger said. “I will not be influenced by any unscientific survey done by a newspaper. It’s a small percentage of subscribers and even smaller percentage of residents.

“This is no longer a median, a divider between two streets, it’s a park, it’s awesome.”

Leger made the motion for the Avenue of the Fountains Plaza median name. The vote was a unanimous 7-0.