San Antonio to hold public forums on renaming Cesar Chavez Boulevard

City Council could vote on a new name in May, but leaders want community feedback first.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:06am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting of an empty city street at dusk, with a lone streetlight casting warm, diagonal shadows across the pavement, conceptually representing the quiet contemplation surrounding the renaming of Cesar Chavez Boulevard.As San Antonio weighs renaming Cesar Chavez Boulevard, the city's public forums aim to gather diverse community feedback on the contentious issue.San Antonio Today

The City of San Antonio will hold two public forums next week to gather feedback from residents and businesses on renaming Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard. The city is considering reverting the name back to Durango or choosing a new name with local ties, such as Selena or Gregg Popovich. The renaming process could cost an estimated $205,000 and would require City Council approval.

Why it matters

The renaming of Cesar Chavez Boulevard has become a contentious issue in San Antonio following recent allegations of sexual assault against the civil rights leader. Some community members believe it would be more appropriate to rename streets and landmarks after Dolores Huerta, Chavez's co-founder of the United Farm Workers union.

The details

San Antonio City Council could vote on a new name for the roughly 5.5-mile Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard as early as mid-to-late May. Before that, the city will hold two 'community listening sessions' on April 8 and April 11 to gather feedback from residents and businesses along the corridor. The city is considering reverting the name back to Durango, which it was called before being renamed in 2011, or choosing a new name with close ties to San Antonio, such as Selena or Gregg Popovich. The renaming process is estimated to cost $205,000.

  • The April 8 session will take place at Jaime's Place (1514 W. Commerce St.).
  • The April 11 session is set to take place at Tony G's Soul Food (915 S. Hackberry St.).
  • A survey for businesses and residents along Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard closes at 5 p.m. on April 3.
  • City Council could vote on a new name in mid-to-late May.

The players

Teri Castillo

A San Antonio City Councilwoman whose district includes portions of Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

Cesar Chavez

The Latino civil rights leader whose name is currently on the boulevard, but has recently faced allegations of sexual assault.

Dolores Huerta

The co-founder of the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez, who has said Chavez sexually assaulted her multiple times.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

City Council could vote on making a renaming official in mid-to-late May, after the community listening sessions and a technical review.

The takeaway

The renaming of Cesar Chavez Boulevard has become a divisive issue in San Antonio, with some community members pushing to remove Chavez's name entirely due to recent allegations of sexual assault, while others want to preserve his civil rights legacy. The city's public forums aim to gather diverse feedback before City Council makes a final decision.