This street sign in downtown San Antonio could soon be changed if Councilwoman Teri Castillo gets her way. Credit: Google Maps / Street View

Councilwoman Teri Castillo is forging ahead with a plan to revert César E. Chávez Blvd. back to its original name of Durango Street.

Castillo, who represents the West Side’s District 5, filed a Council Consideration Request (CCR) this week, a first step in the city to initiating the process. District 1 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, District 3’s Phyllis Viagran, District 4’s Edward Munguia and District 6’s Ric Galvan also signed off on the document in support.

The move comes after a city survey found that 64% of more than 18,000 respondents support renaming the downtown thoroughfare to Durango Street. That follows a bombshell New York Times investigation that alleged Chávez, a Latino civil-rights icon, was a sexual predator who preyed on women and girls.

“Public spaces should reflect the community’s values and culture, and honor only upstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to San Antonio,” Castillo said in a statement. “Residents made it crystal clear that it was time for a change, and I am grateful for everyone’s feedback.”

As part of her CCR, Castillo calls on the city to create a fund to help residents and businesses along the street cover costs associated with the name change. Last month, the city said it would cost more than $200,000 to rename the street, including updates to driver licenses, legal documents, signage and more.

“This request provides a practical solution to ensure residents are not financially impacted by this decision,” Castillo said. “I anticipate a prompt process so the community can move forward and continue to take pride in the street they call home.”

Even so, Castillo’s quick effort to rename the street could bring a backlash from community members who are eager for it to be renamed to recognize another civil rights leader.

People gathered at a West Side community forum last week suggested an array of ideas other than Durango, including Jovita Idar Street, Campesina Way and Maria L. de Hernández Boulevard. Meanwhile, KENS 5 reported that tensions ran high during a separate weekend community forum on the name change.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...