Replacement signs for the newly restored Durango Boulevard are being placed across the city and should be installed by the end of the month.
Tuesday afternoon, the city confirmed work began on Monday to replace nearly 80 Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard signs back to Durango Boulevard.
Nearly one month ago, San Antonio City Council voted to rename Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard, following sexual misconduct allegations against the late labor leader. The proposal was approved unanimously by every member of the city council and Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. A citywide survey found that 64% of respondents supported reverting the street to its original name.
The city changed the name to Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard in 2011 to honor Chavez, who died in 1993 and was known for bringing attention to the struggles of farm workers.
Discussion regarding the street’s name were prompted after “The New York Times” reported multiple sexual misconduct allegations against Chavez in March. Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta later came forward and said she was also sexually abused by Chavez.
The allegations prompted District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo to propose renaming the roughly 5.5-mile stretch of road. The cost of the renaming was originally estimated to be around $374,000.
City officials said they are currently working with TxDOT to replace signs along highways, which could take six to 12 months to design, create and install.