AUSTIN, Texas — Austin residents will get their first chance to weigh in on whether one of the city’s main roadways should be renamed as city leaders begin a series of community meetings about changing the name of Cesar Chavez Street.
The first of three meetings begins today, after leaders called for the change back in March when allegations of sexual misconduct came out against Chávez.
City estimates show the total cost of a name change could range from $413,700 to more than $1.2 million. Austin Transportation and Public Works estimates it would cost more than $11,000 to change city street signs, $10,000 to change economic district custom street signs, and $2,500 to notify impacted businesses and residents through mail. The most expensive portions would be changing Texas Department of Transportation and Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority signs on the highway.
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Gavino Fernandez Jr., who represents El Concilio Mexican-American Landowners of East Austin, is among the leaders calling for the name change. “We need to remove ourselves from and align from him based on his actions that he took when he was alive. And create a new chapter moving forward,” Fernandez said.
He adds he feels there is a great energy around the name change.
“That’s the exciting part, I guess, of the process is that everybody gets to give their input as to what they believe it should be renamed,” he said.
Fernandez said he would like to see the street name revert back to First Street. He says he’s not alone in this desire.
“As many people in the community have indicated through social media and through personal contacts inside in and out the neighborhood, they just want to go back to East First and move forward,” said Fernandez.
The street was renamed in honor of the late labor leader in 1993 after his death. But recent allegations surrounding misconduct were shared earlier this year as many prepared to celebrate the labor icon. Allegations against Chávez include claims of inappropriate sexual behavior involving women and minors during Chávez’s time leading the United Farm Workers. The claims surfaced 32 years after his death.
District 3 Austin City Council member Jose Velasquez told CBS Austin he knows the community is eager to begin the process and expects results back by October.
I know that our constituents are eager to begin this process, to voice their opinions on renaming options, and to learn more about possible impacts. Once community input is gathered and analyzed by City staff, I expect results to be shared with the public by October 2026.I’m excited about these next steps. It provides a necessary path forward toward seeking justice and healing for survivors and their families.
Today’s meeting will be held at the library on West Cesar Chavez Street downtown from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.