Push to rename KC's César Chávez road faces hurdles
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A mural along Avenida Cesar E. Chavez in Kansas City. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
City and community leaders are considering renaming a road in Kansas City's Westside neighborhood currently named after civil rights and labor activist César Chávez.
Why it matters: Sexual abuse allegations levied at Chávez are fueling a nationwide reckoning, prompting leaders to reevaluate celebrations and names of institutions and public spaces.
- But changing a street name in Kansas City has historically been a lot harder than choosing a different word.
Driving the news: A statement from Mayor Quinton Lucas' office says neighborhood leaders launched efforts last week to consider changes to the street currently called Avenida Cesar E. Chavez.
- 4th District Councilmember Crispin Rea tells Axios he's heard "many ideas for other names," adding he will work with the community while working within the city's street naming process.
Zoom in: Renaming a street involves an impact report, notices mailed to all affected addresses and public hearings before a final vote at the City Council, per city code.
- Shortly after George Floyd was killed in 2020, J.C. Nichols Parkway was renamed Mill Creek Parkway. Nichols, a prominent KC developer, contributed to redlining in the city.
- In 2021, Blue Parkway became Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Yes, but: Efforts to rename streets aren't always immediately successful. The Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard renaming was originally implemented along The Paseo before residents forced a vote and reversed the change.
- And repeated efforts to change Troost Avenue to Truth Avenue have failed at the City Council, despite multiple public forums and thousands of petition signatures. Benoist Troost is considered a Kansas City "founding father" who also owned slaves.
- Lucas in 2024 proposed making "Truth Avenue" an honorary name first, something proponents of the name rejected, KCUR reported.
Between the lines: Changing a street name can cost tens of thousands of dollars and result in headaches for people who have to change their addresses online and on paper.
Context: In 1994, the city renamed part of 23rd Street as Avenida Cesar E. Chavez to commemorate the first anniversary of his death.
- A Chávez mural decorates stairs leading to Gage Park north of the roadway.
What we're watching: "The public engagement in which the mayor remains most interested is hearing voices from impacted property owners on the street itself," the mayor's office said in a statement to Axios.