The Minnesota House unanimously approved a bill Friday to rename a section of Minnesota Highway 5 in the cities of Chanhassen and Eden Prairie as the “Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway.”
The move comes on the seventh anniversary of his death at his Paisley Park residence and recording studio from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Prince was 57 at the time of his death.
“It’s a tremendous privilege to work with Minnesotans and all the advocates to recognize and honor Prince’s contributions to our state, our country, and the world,” said Rep. Lucy Rehm, DFL-Chanhassen, who is chief sponsor of the bill to change the name of the highway.
Companion legislation is expected to pass the Senate and Gov. Tim Walz has signaled he will sign off on the name change.
Prince was born and raised in Minneapolis. At the age of 19 he signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records and went on to become one of the greatest musicians of his generation. He recorded music at the Paisley Park studio in Chanhassen for nearly three decades. Paisley Park is now open to the public for tours and events and to honor his legacy.
After news of Prince’s death seven years ago, crowds gathered outside Paisley Park and the First Avenue music club in downtown Minneapolis. The First Avenue venue appeared in Prince’s 1984 film Purple Rain.
