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Lansing Group Working to Rename Grand River Ave

Skyler Ashley
/
WKAR-MSU
The current signs that mark Grand River Avenue as Honorary Cesar E. Chavez Avenue

A Lansing area group is working to rename sections of Grand River Avenue after a famous civil rights activist. WKAR’s Karel Vega has more.

The Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee submitted an application to the Lansing city clerk in early August to rename parts of Grand River Avenue to Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. The stretches they want renamed would be from East Grand River commencing at Oakland Avenue and ending at Washington Avenue, and West Grand River Avenue from Washington to Pine Street. On August 15, The City of Lansing Memorial Review Board voted to approve the renaming and moved the application forward to the Lansing City Council. Tonatzin Alfaro Maiz is a member of the Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee. She says the renaming is about more than just a street.

 “We’ve been in the struggle for 24 years. And I think the time is right." Maiz says. "America is talking about being inclusive. That is the tone of the country. And you do that by recognizing leaders from all walks of life.”

Several organizations and businesses in Old Town have been vocal about their opposition to the renaming. In a letter to the Memorial Review Board, the Old Town Commercial Association states they have repeatedly been turned down opportunities to work with the Cesar E. Chavez committee and find a compromise.

The Lansing City Council received the renaming application at Monday's city council meeting. They’ll have 90 days to approve or deny the renaming, after holding public hearing.

Karel Vega served as radio news managing editor at WKAR from 2020 to 2023.
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