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Aug 18, 2008 5:37 pm US/Central
Dallas Tollway Suggested As New Cesar Chavez Blvd.
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Another thoroughfare is being considered for a possible name change to honor Cesar Chavez.
Chavez is a hero among many Americans of Spanish descent. Finding a street to suitably honor him is becoming a hot-button issue in Dallas. Industrial Blvd. and later Ross Avenue were initially debated.
Dallas Plan Commissioner Neil Emmons suggested renaming the North Dallas Tollway for the man who fought for the right of migrant laborers.
"While driving down the Tollway it occurred to me, this doesn't have a specific name like the George Bush Tollway," said Emmons. "What a great road that begins where Little Mexico once was and was essentially wiped out in 1965 when the Tollway was built."
But officials with the North Texas Tollway Authority say not only would a majority of its board members have to approve a renaming, so would cities and counties that adjoin it. Officials say it would be difficult and costly to remark all of its sign as well.
ACCION America says it's unfair to "ping pong" names in a kind of shell game.
"If they are going to propose the toll road, then they have to have all their ducks in a row. They are going to have to make sure that everyone's on board," said Carlos Quintinilla, ACCION America.
Quintanilla and LULAC spokesperson Jesse Diaz agree that renaming the Tollway would be a substantial honor to Chavez, but Diaz things there would be greater obstacles to overcome there than in renaming Ross Ave.
On August 5, a council committee voted to change Ross Ave. to Cesar Chavez Boulevard. Before the change can go into effect, supports will have to first convince business owners along Ross. The change is already facing opposition.
The name change will involve a lengthy process including at least two public hearings and a vote by the city's plan commission and the full Dallas City Council.
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