Item 6: Draft Recommendation — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number_________________________: RENAMING CESAR CHAVEZ STREET Recommendation: WHEREAS: the 1839 City of Austin City Plan the downtown street running parallel to and north shore of the Colorado River was named Water Avenue; and WHEREAS: in 1884, the Austin City Council renamed Water Avenue to 1st Street in an effort to modernize and simplify downtown navigation; and WHEREAS: in 1993, after his death, local community leaders petitioned the City to rename a major street after Cesar Chavez as a way of recognizing the contributions of the local Latino community and the progress in farm labor conditions achieved by the farm labor movement founded in part by him; and WHERAS; Latinos make up roughly a third of Austin’s population and have contributed immeasurably to the history, vibrance, culture and character of the City; and WHEREAS: the contributions of that community and that of the United Farm Workers organization are worthy of recognition; and WHEREAS: recent, disturbing allegations—corroborated by several victims—have caused many to re-evaluate the propriety of honoring Cesar Chavez with an Austin city street named for him; and WHEREAS: many City Council Members, Community Leaders, and Business owners, are on record supporting a street name change; and WHEREAS: the City Manager has stated that the City “firmly believe[s] that the right thing to do is move forward to remove his name from the street that runs through the heart of our city” and to do so “in partnership with our community, particularly those groups who have long supported the farmworkers movement and championed civil rights”; and WHEREAS: the renaming of the street should be a thoughtful process that engages key stakeholders and community leaders; and WHEREAS, a core value in our City is respecting the dignity and autonomy of its citizen; and WHEREAS, today, more than ever, when many of our national and state leaders venerate toxic masculinity, celebrate cruelty, embody a might equals right mentality, and work tirelessly to erode the autonomy of women over their own bodies, it is incumbent upon us to, whenever possible, take a stand in opposition to anyone who shows themselves to be less than fully respectful of each individual’s right of bodily self-determination. NOW THEREFORE it is the considered recommendation of the Downtown Commission that the City Manager, as soon as possible, initiate a process of community and stakeholder engagement to determine the most appropriate and expeditious path for: 1. Removing the name Cesar Chavez from any downtown streets or signage; and 2. Renaming Cesar Chavez Street based on community and stakeholder consensus with the intent to continue honoring the contributions of our Latino community and the civil rights advances achieved through the farm workers movement. Motioned By: ________________________ Seconded By: _______________________ Date of Approval: April 15, 2026 Vote: ___-___ For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Vacant: Attest: Ryan Sperling - Business Process Specialist – Boards & Commissions