GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- On Tuesday Governor Evers announced that the Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Green Bay will be called something entirely different this fall. That's when the new signs will go up, indicating its new name, of the Bart Starr Memorial Bridge.
The names and legacies of Packers' greats are hard to forget in a city like Green Bay. That's especially true for Packers fans driving down Lombardi Avenue, both east and west of Lambeau Field. For many, it's almost like taking a trip down memory lane, and there is about to be yet another addition to the team.
"I'm hoping that Bart's memory of his character, as a human being, his concern about others would be remembered," says John Gillespie a longtime friend of the Starr family.
Gillespie was at Lambeau Field on Tuesday afternoon, as Governor Evers announced that the former Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Green Bay is getting a new name, the Bart Starr Memorial Bridge.
"Renaming that bridge in Bart Starr's name is so wonderful and appropriate," says Gillespie.
Gillespie shared the news with Starr's wife Cherry who lives out of town. He let her know that while there are nearly a dozen Packers legends sprinkled across street signs across town, Starr's bridge will be located right next to a welcomed neighbor. That's because Starr's bridge is within viewing distance of legendary Packer's linebacker Ray Nischke's Memorial Bridge.
"When that walkway between Bart's bridge and Ray's bridge is jammed with people, I kind of think there is going to be one of each of their angels overlooking those people enjoying their time," says Gillespie.
