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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplication for Cesar Chavez v2 Lansing for Cesar E. Chdvez Committee P.O. Box Lansing, M1 48909 August 10, 2017 Mr. Chris Swope, City Cleric City of Lansing 124 W. Michigan Ave., 9th Floor Lansing, MI Dear Mr. Swope: Re: Application for Renaming portions of East Grand River and West Grand River to Cesar E. Chavez Ave. The Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee submits the attached Application for Naming and Renaming Memorials in the City of Lansing, Michigan in support of renaming portions of East Grand River Avenue and West Grand River Avenue to Cesar E. Chdvez Ave. Specifically,the application requests that East Grand River Avenue commencing at Oakland Avenue and ending at Washington Avenue and West Grand River Avenue commencing at Washington Avenue and ending at Pine Street be renamed Cesar E. Chdvez Avenue. The street name change will specifically impact approximately 150 Lansing residents and businesses,the majority of which overwhelmingly support the change. The basis and significance of the proposed street name change is addressed in the application. The Lansing for Cesar E. Chdvez Committee is committed to honoring Cesar E. Chavez in the City of Lansing with a permanent street renaming, as well as continuing his humanitarian efforts in the greater Lansing community. City-wide, many Lansing residents support this change as evidenced by the petitions submitted with the application and their "Si Se Puede" words of encouragement. Please find the attached application and required documents for review and submission to the appropriate City of Lansing boards or committees along with a check for the estimated cost of mailing notice to owners of all properties with _, mailing addresses on the subject streets and on corners, which intersect the sub ct_ streets. If more information or documentation is needed to consider the applicZon' M please contact meat: (517)775-2442. r' — n =� Sincerely, ��� -� � �'• m Al Salas r CD Vice Chair, The Lansing for Cesar E. Chdvez Committee Application for Naming and Renaming Memorials In the City ofLansing, Michigan Proposed name: Cesar E. Chavez Avenue Basis and significance of proposed name: Cesar E. Chavez dedicated his life to nonviolent social change Justice, equality and humane treatment for all. Cesar E. Chavez marched to Lansing in the 1970's to highlight the deplorable living conditions of agriculture workers in the State of Michigan. He met with legislators and was instrumental in initiating regulations and laws to improve the living_ conditions of farm workers throughout Michigan.The Lansing Casar E. Chavez Committee is requesting the name of an American hero on one of the City's major streets as a way of honoring a man who dedicated his life to the struggle for justice and equality for all Americans. His contributions have been recognized in hundreds of cities across the country. He, like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa and others understood the meaning of non-violent social change and used it to elevate the human condition among one of the most vulnerable segments of American society. Cesar E. Chavez was a leader and organizer who founded the first successful farm workers labor union in American history. His mission was to affirm the dignity of farm workers and to ensure fair wages,medical coverage,benefits,and humane living and work121gce conditions for millions of Americans. Casar E. Chavez inspired millions of Americans and was.awarded the U.S.Presidential Medal of Freedom,America's highest civilian honor,and the Martin Luther King Jr.Peace Prize. His philosophy."Si se Puede" or"Yes We Can"influenced millions of Americans to seek economic and social equality beginning in the 1960's and that philosophy remains alive and well today. Chavez served in the United States Navy during World War II,during which Millions lost their lives. After his military service he dedicated his life to advancing and improving the lives of all farm workers and all oppressed people in the United States and the world. As described by Senator Robert F.Kennedy Cesar E.Chavez is "one of the heroic figures of our time." Lansing, Michigan has been home for thousands of farm workers,many of wham were Latino and Hispanic as early as the 1940's. The north side of Lansing became the home,heartbeat and center for the growing Latino and Hispanic community,which included migrant farm workers and factory workers. Latino and Hispanic businesses and community activity was concentrated and established in the East and West Grand River Avenue area such as El Renacimiento,a bilingual community newspaper,restaurants (Ramon's.Torres's).Cristo Rey Church, Cristo Rey Community Center,and Quinto Sol newspaper and radio station, to name a few. Cesar E.Chavez personal connection to this community occurred when he visited the Lansing community and other Michigan cities in the late 60's and 70's to organize farmworkers. He also led a march from Saginaw to Lansing to highlight the plight of farm workers and to request legislative changes to improve the conditions of farmworkers in Michigan. The renaming of East Grand River Ave and West Grand River Avenue to Cesar E. Chavez Avenue,honors not only one of the great leaders of the Latina and Hispanic community,but a man who became an American hero to all. Object, site, or street to be named or renamed: Portions of East and West Grand River Avenue. specifically: East Grand River Avenue_beginning at Oakland Avenue to Washington Avenue and West Grand River Avenue beginning at Washington Ave to Pine Street The proposal is to rename these streets Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. Current name(if applicable): East Grand River Avenue and West Grand River Avenue Impact on residents: The effect of the proposed name change upon the affected residents is being_ received favorably. There are approximately 60-80 residents on this portion of East Grand River Avenue and West Grand River Avenue that will be directly affected. Many if not all of them have signed petitions in support of the name change. Some residents claimed the name change would be a great benefit because it will eliminate confusion with East Grand River in East Lansing. Other residents stated that they thought the "honorar " designation was temporary like the changing of Logan Street to Martin Luther King, Jr.Blvd. Lansing residents throughout the city also support the change,as evidenced by the attached petitions and letters of support. The proposed street name change has received a positive response from citizens of Lansing representing all walks of life including from a broad range of ethnic and economic backgrounds. The effort has united many.. citizens of Lansing to work together for the betterment of the City. They see the name change as a vehicle to promote understanding of American values and history and to-unify citizens. Honoring Cesar E. Chavez in this way will demonstrate that Lansing Michigan is a city that stands for diversity and promotes the importance of tolerance and inclusion. lmpactonbusinesses: The effect of the proposed name change upon the affected businesses is primarily favorable. Many of the businesses currently on what is now East and West Grand River Avenue have expressed a positive response to the street name change. Another significant effect is the attracting of business and commerce in that area.Two businesses have been identified and have made it known that the changing of East Grand River Avenue to Cesar E. Chavez Avenue has encouraged them to open new businesses within the area resulting from the proposed street name change. As stated above, in terms of a social effect,it will illustrate that Lansing, Michigan is a city that believes in the power of inclusion and understands the importance of diversity and building_ communities that are welcoming of Americans from diverse backgrounds. The Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee recognizes business owners may incur costs as a result of the name change for stationary and literature. In 2010,the Old Town Commercial Association,which represents some of the businesses, raised the financial cost as a basis for opposition. At that time,it was recommended that a gradual name change process be considered to minimize costs and provide time to deplete their stationary and literature inventory until the street name is officially changed. Moreover, the businesses would incur a one time only cost as part of the normal procedure for reordering stationery with the new street name. The 2010 "honorary" designation of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue to East Grand River Avenue provided the businesses an opportunity to use both names on their stationary and literature to assist in a smooth transition. The Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee proposes to negotiate a discounted group rate for printing of new stationery with a local print shop to help absorb some of the cost for the business owners on Grand River Avenue. Also, many businesses rely primarily on websites,which can be easily modified,with little or no cost. Projected implementationcostif application isapproved: Minimal to the city. Approximately,thirty (30) street signs must be replaced changing East Grand River Avenue and West Grand River Avenue to Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. According to Andrew Miller traffic design specialist in the Transportation Division of the Public Service Department, replacement and installation costs are approximately $81.66 per ground mounted sign and $131.31 per traffic signal pole mounted signs. Mr. Chris Swope Lansing City Clerk,previously anticipated a cost of$117.00 for mailing notification to the area businesses and residents. The City should be able to absorb the minimal costs for changing the street signs. If necessary, Lansing Cesar E. Chavez Committee will contribute funds to pay for the implementation costs associated with the street signs. Payment for mailing notification to owners of all properties with mailing addresses on these streets has been submitted with this application. Proposedfunding: City to absorb the costs or the Lansing Cesar E. Chavez Committee will contribute funds for the signs. No additional funds will be needed after street signs replaced. Anticipated su pportand/oroppositiontothe proposal. It is anticipated that there will be general support for the naming of portions of East Grand River Avenue and West Grand River Avenue after Cesar E Chavez, a formidable humanitarian that contributed to improving conditions for all Americans not -just the farm workers. Petitions and letters attached to the a lication demonstrate support.► p� from individuals, churches, agencies and organizations. There has been nominal opposition to the street name change from the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) and a few of its members. OTCA opposed the change in 2010 and maintains its opposition _now. Notably, the ma.io.ty_of OTCA members do not have businesses on East and West Grand River Avenue and only a few of the businesses on East Grand River fall within the boundary designation-of"Old Town" as defined by the.city of Lansing. Generally, however, "Old Town" is recognized as an area located in the north side of Lansing. Initially, many of the businesses in Old Town signed the 2017_peti_t_ions to support the name change,and individually explained the basis for their support. An organized effort by OTCA to oppose the name change resulted in a_few businesses changing their osition and citin the devaluing of Old Town if the street was named Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. Notice of these position changes has been informal,but formal notices will be provided upon receipt. Opponents of this change may not fully know or understand Cesar E. Chavez's local, state and national achievements and contributions to our state and nation. Clearly, the renaming of the street to Cesar E. Chavez Avenue would result in Lansing being celebrated for recognizing this humanitarian leader and renaming the street Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. If the Proposed Memorial involves changing a street name, this application must be accompanied by payment for the estimated cost of mailing notice to owners of all properties with mailing addresses on the subject street and on corners which intersect the subject street. Applicant's Name: The Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee Date: August 10. 2017 Applicant's Address: P.O. Box 27072 City Lansing State: MI Zip: 48909 Main Contact Number: (517)775-2442 Secondary Contact Number: (517)327-8828 If you have questions please call: 517-483-4131 When you are done with this form, please return it to: Chris Swope, City Clerk Lansing City Clerk's Office Ninth Floor, City Hall, 124 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48933-1695 clerk@lansingmi.gov