Plans are in the works to rename a Seattle street for J.P. Patches, the city’s favorite TV clown.
Chris Wedes, aka, J.P., passed away last month after a long battle with blood cancer. The Emmy-winning J.P. Patches Show was a fixture on local television for 23 years, from 1958 to 1981. It was the longest-running local children's show in the country.
An online petition was recently launched, asking Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn to rename the street where a bronze statue of J.P. Patches and sidekick Gertrude stands.
The petition, which has gathered more than 2,800 signatures, asks that 34th St. be renamed “Patches Place.”
“Renaming 34th St. would be perfect, because it leads to one of the city's dumps, and every Patches Pal knows that J.P. was the mayor of the city dump,” the petition reads.
Sam Johnston with Mayor Mike McGinn’s office confirmed Tuesday that resolutions are being drafted to rename the street.
The mayor's office said a letter has been sent to the Fremont Chamber of Commerce asking for the name change.
