A downtown Houston building that the late U.S. Rep and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner used to pass while growing up in Acres Home will be renamed in his honor after Harris County commissioners voted unanimously on the motion March 27.

The 20-story office building, known as Lamar Plaza, is located at 1010 Lamar St., Houston, and is owned by the county, according to agenda documents.

What they’re saying

Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said connecting Turner’s upbringing in north Houston to the county building is a fitting tribute.

“If I had the opportunity, I'd like to try and find one of those tall buildings that maybe Sylvester looked at when he was on that [METRO] 44 bus,” Ellis said.

Commissioners also approved a resolution at the March meeting honoring the life and legacy of Turner, who died March 5. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Turner was a beloved father, brother, grandfather and uncle, as well as a devoted public servant and unwavering advocate for equity, justice and opportunity.

Digging deeper

Hidalgo said Turner attended Klein High School where he was bused to the all-white school with other black students during an era of desegregation. At Klein, he went on to become a debate champion, student body president and valedictorian of his graduating class.

Before becoming Houston mayor in 2016, Turner served in the Texas House of Representatives for 27 years and spent 21 years on the House Appropriations Committee.

“As mayor, he championed the mission related to affordable housing and economic opportunity, launched programs to revitalize long neglected neighborhood infrastructure and led our region's commitment to Vision Zero to end traffic deaths and improve street safety and accessibility for people of all ages and disabilities,” Hidalgo said.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said Turner represented the best of the American Dream and his impact as a “light” to others was reflected in how kind he was to her daughters.

“My girls loved him. ...He just had a light about him, a magnetism about him and he fought for justice in an unparalleled way,” Briones said. "May he rest in peace and power."

Career history

Turner served as Houston's mayor for two terms from 2016 to 2024. Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said beyond Turner’s term as mayor and state representative, he was impressed with Turner’s faith.

“To be able to be in a church, in a community, in Acres Home, and give a relevant, Kingdom-inspired message, there was second to none to him,” Ramsey said.