CC Minutes - 02/10/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Ms. Solomon asked if the Planning Commission could discuss the possibility of renaming another street. Mr. Carlson indicated the commission would be given a specific request to rename Centennial Boulevard from Coburg Road to I-5 to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. While he supported the name change, Mr. Pap8 called on the council to pause in the street renaming process and work to involve Springfield in the process. Speaking to Mr. PapS's comments, Ms. Bettman said that there had been well-publicized discussions between the three jurisidictions for almost a year, and Springfield had previously opted out of an opportunity to rename Centennial Boulevard for Dr. King. She believed that it was appropriate for Eugene to take action on the portion of the street within its jurisdiction. She suggested that Springfield could make its own determination of how it would like to honor Dr. King. It was not unusual for a street to change names between jurisdictions, and there were several local examples. Mr. Kelly said he was comfortable having staff initiate the street renaming process given the public hearings that would be held. He did not think that renaming Centennial Boulevard in Eugene would be a problem for Springfield. Speaking to those who suggested alternative streets such as the West Eugene Parkway, Mr. Kelly did not want to place Dr. King's name on a flyover freeway. He did not think that was an appropriate way to honor Dr. King. Ms. Solomon asked if other streets had been considered to be renamed in honor of Dr. King. Mayor Torrey said that Bill Dwyer of the Board of County Commissioners requested that the City send a representative to a meeting to discuss the issues, and Ms. Bettman was charged to do so, and she returned with the group's recommendation. Ms. Bettman noted the group included representatives of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as well as the University of Oregon. Mayor Torrey said that the mayor of Springfield had indicated to him that Springfield did not get a chance to participate. He believed that Springfield should be given that opportunity. He did not think Eugene should make the City of Springfield look as though it did not care about Dr. King. Mayor Torrey noted that a citizen recommended that East 11th Avenue be designated Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard because numbered streets could be called boulevards. He thought that was a good idea. Mr. Carlson recollected that the issue of renaming the street first came up nine months past. He had discussed options with the other local chief administrators at the time, but no formal group had met to discuss the topic. He said that Springfield was aware that discussions were occurring. Mayor Torrey suggested that Springfield be invited to participate in Eugene's formal process. Mayor Torrey read a letter from Commissioner Bobby Green on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners in support of renaming Centennial Boulevard in honor of Dr. King, offering the County's financial assistance, and suggesting a joint meeting. Mayor Torrey indicated that the council process session would be postponed until after the spring recess. Councilors voiced no opposition to the postponement. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 10, 2003 Page 3 Work Session