A petition to rename Cesar E. Chavez Avenue back to Grandville Avenue has sparked debate in Grand Rapids, with some residents pushing for the change following sexual assault allegations against the late labor rights leader and others urging the city to preserve his legacy.
WATCH: Cesar E. Chavez Avenue name change debate divides Grand Rapids neighborhood
Cesar E. Chavez Avenue name change debate divides Grand Rapids neighborhood
The Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association filed a petition with the city to restore the street’s original name this summer. In a letter sent to the commission, the association said the request “reflects feedback from community stakeholders who have participated in discussions regarding the historical identity and continuity of the neighborhood.”
Dr. Jose Flores, who has owned a business on the road for 38 years, is among those opposed to the name change. Flores was an advocate for renaming Grandville Avenue in honor of Chavez back in 2022…