JJ Watt Parkway? Petition seeks to rename SH-99 after Texans star

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Could the Grand Parkway be renamed after one of Hurricane Harvey's standout humanitarians? Nearly 50,000 Texans hope so.

A petition making the rounds on the internet asks Mayor Sylvester Turner and Gov. Greg Abbott to rename State Highway 99 as the JJ Watt Parkway in honor of the Texans star's service to the city of Houston in the days following Hurricane Harvey.

Watt has gained national acclaim over the past week for his fundraising campaign to support hurricane relief efforts. As of Sunday morning, the fund has raised more than $17 million from approximately 165,000 donors, making it one of the largest single Harvey relief campaigns.

Watt's efforts have attracted support and sizable donations from celebrities and corporations including Drake, Ellen DeGeneres, Walmart and the Tennessee Titans.

It's worth noting that Mayor Turner does not have the power to unilaterally rename the Grand Parkway in Watt's honor.

As its designation implies, State Highway 99 is managed by the Texas Department of Transportation. A memorial designation would have to come through the state legislature or a joint effort between a local government and TxDOT, according to state regulations.

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