Dallas City Council Debates Young St. Name Change

There is a debate growing over whether to rename a city street after Latino activist and union leader Cesar Chavez.

The Dallas City Council is trying to decide on a proposal from Steve Salazar to change the name of Young Street.

Young Street was originally named after a Methodist minister, Reverend William C. Young, who moved to Dallas after the Civil War, became a prominent citizen with a large clapboard mansion, and served for one term as the Dallas County District Clerk (1867-1868).

Today, several well-known businesses are located on the street, including the Dallas Morning News and WFAA-Channel 8.

About a year ago, the Dallas City Council took a poll over whether to rename Industrial Boulvard after the Hispanic leader as part of the plan for the Trinity River Corridor. The name won with 52 percent of the vote.

However, many people have an issue with the name, saying that Chavez has no specific tie to Dallas.

Others argue the figure has been honored enough in the city, with a school, a plaza and a holiday named after him.

 Others believe that if the city wants to push for a street to be named after a Hispanic leader, they should consider someone with stronger ties to the city, such as Adelfa Callejo.

At this point, Salazar would still have to send a memo to his colleagues and get the support of at least two other council members before beginning the name-changing the process.

Holly LaFon has written and worked for various local publications including D Magazine and Examiner.