In a move to honor the legacy of a local political figure, Montgomery County has renamed its Executive Office Building after former County Executive Isiah "Ike" Leggett. At a public ceremony on Monday, officials unveiled the new signage for the "Isiah 'Ike' Leggett Executive Office Building," recognizing Leggett's historic tenure and influence in the region.
During the gathering inside the building's lobby, which brought together the Leggett family, elected officials, and dignitaries, a plaque was also presented that details the former County Executive's impactful contributions. A proclamation, signed by County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Kate Stewart, was displayed to commemorate this dedication further. According to Montgomery County's official announcement, Elrich said, "While this building will now bear his name, Ike’s true legacy isn’t this building. It’s in our neighborhoods, our schools, our parks and community centers across Montgomery County."
A series of firsts have marked Leggett's career; in 1986, he made history as the first person of color elected to the Montgomery County Council, a body on which he served four terms and was elected president four times. His political journey continued when he became the first person of color elected Montgomery County Executive in 2006. Leggett's legacy includes establishing the County's living wage law, implementing public smoking bans, and addressing critical local concerns such as transportation and immigrant labor issues.
As a leader, Leggett was known for advocating for a statewide gas tax increase to fund County transit projects and setting up a day laborer center in Gaithersburg that offered a safe space for workers. Throughout his three terms culminating in 2018, voters re-elected Leggett, validating their confidence in his ability to lead and shape Montgomery County's future. The building at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville, now officially named after Leggett, is a tribute to his enduring impact on the area.
