Former Columbus City Council President Jerry Hammond died on Wednesday.
Hammond, 76, served on council from 1974 to 1990, helping shape the city into what it is today,10TV News reported.
He became the first African-American to serve as council president, holding the position from1984 until 1990.
SLIDESHOW: Images OfJerry Hammond
Council President Michael C. Mentel called Hammond a man devoted to his city.
"Jerry Hammond was a devoted public servant, a mentor and leader who deeply cared aboutColumbus," Mentel said. "During his years on city council he instituted many programs that improvedneighborhoods and the business climate in our city. He worked to give citizens a much strongervoice in local government and created the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) program, asmall business loan program. In fact, much of the economic development in places like theShort North can be directly tied to the NCR program."
In 2007, Columbus dedicated the Jerry Hammond Center, where the 311 call center, and the city'srecreation and parks department, are headquartered.
"Jerry Hammond was an iconic figure who made an immeasurably positive impact on the city ofColumbus, and on me personally as a mentor and a friend," said Mayor Michael Coleman. "Jerry was apassionate statesman who spent a lifetime standing for those who were least able to stand up forthemselves. There will never be another like him. My deepest sympathies go out to Jerry's familyand loved ones."
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