What is the name of the Detroit street renamed after Aretha Franklin?

A section of Detroit’s Madison Street was renamed Aretha Franklin Way in 2017.

The honor was unveiled on June 8, 2017, in downtown Detroit. The renamed section runs between Brush Street and Witherell Street, near the Detroit Opera House and the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Franklin attended the ceremony and became emotional as the new street sign was revealed.

The renaming reflected Franklin’s deep connection to Detroit. Although born in Memphis, Tennessee, she grew up largely in Detroit, where her father, Reverend C. L. Franklin, led New Bethel Baptist Church. She began singing publicly in the church and developed the musical and cultural identity that later shaped her career.

The street dedication was part of Detroit Music Weekend, a celebration of the city’s musical heritage. It is sometimes confused with other Detroit tributes, including the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, formerly Chene Park, and the Aretha Franklin Memorial Highway, a section of M-10 named in 2019. Those are separate honors from Aretha Franklin Way.