San Antonio officials have formally moved to rename Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard by switching back to Durango Boulevard. The proposal now moves into the city’s official review process after public surveys heavily favored restoring the street’s original name.
Durango Boulevard was changed in Chavez’s honor in 2011, but in April reports of sexual misconduct allegations involving the late labor leader Cesar Chavez led the city to cancel the annual Cesar Chavez march and prompted city leaders to reconsider the street’s name with a citywide survey and two community listening sessions.
The City Council Governance Committee reviewed and advanced a Council Consideration Request filed by Councilwoman Teri Castillo (D5) directing staff to begin the formal street renaming process for the corridor stretching from Southwest 36th Street to South Hackberry Street.
The city survey conducted between March 23 and April 2 drew more than 18,000 responses, with 64% supporting a return to Durango Boulevard and 36% suggesting alternative names. Among residents living along the corridor, support for reverting to Durango rose to 79%.
During Wednesday’s presentation, Development Services Director Amin Tohmaz said the department is recommending the city begin the formal review process, which includes technical review, coordination with city departments and outside agencies, and hearings before the Historic and Design Review Commission and Planning Commission before returning to City Council for a final vote.
That process could take two to three months before reaching City Council, Logan Sparrow, assistant director for Development Services, said during one of the listening sessions held in April. It will include multiple rounds of public notice to residents and businesses along the corridor, giving property owners additional opportunities to weigh in before City Council makes a final decision.
Even after a final vote, city officials said replacing signage could take awhile.
Sparrow previously said city street signs would likely take several weeks to replace, while Texas Department of Transportation signage could take several months longer because of manufacturing timelines and shortages affecting TxDOT sign production.
City officials have also acknowledged the financial burden the change could place on residents and businesses required to update addresses, identification documents, billing information and other records.
Sparrow previously estimated the total cost of the renaming effort could range between $200,000 and $300,000, with most of that tied to replacing signage, agency coordination and assisting residents through the transition.
Castillo’s CCR specifically calls on the city to waive application and notification fees associated with the street renaming process while repurposing funds previously allocated for the Cesar Chavez March toward a resident assistance fund.
That funding could help residents and businesses cover costs associated with changing identification, billing, banking and mailing information, with any remaining money potentially going toward sign replacement costs.
