Posted on 10/05/2006 1:04:40 PM PDT by trane250
Ithaca Street Re-Naming Aims To Honor Dr. King
Erin Billups
A group of Ithaca residents want to rename a well-known street to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but some residents say it's too much of burden.
Since 2004, members of Ithaca’s Circle of Recovery, a group of young minority men, has been working with other supporters to change State Street, to Dr. King Street.
They say it's a way for the city to recognize its minority population and Dr. King 's message of hope.
"We need something to be proud of and especially young people, because they feel very, they feel a great sense of hopelessness," said Gino Bush, Circle of Recovery facilitator.
Although most agree Dr. King should be honored in the city, some residents feel changing the street name is not the way to go about it.
"Changing the name of the street is a big expense and a lot of bother for businesses and homeowners and in some cases very, very expensive and we don't see what it accomplishes," said State Street resident, Margaret Hobbie.
Wednesday night the city's board of public works held one of the last forums on the issue before they decide whether the project, that could cost the city upwards of $20,000, is worth it.
Residents for the renaming say it's not about the money but the effect it could have on the community, because it runs through the heart of the city.
"Visual things give us pause, pause to think. I know when I see certain things I think about what that means," said Bush.
One of the proposals suggests dual naming which would also recognize it as the historic state street.
An Ithaca chamber of commerce representative says if a dual street name is adopted property owners may not have to change their addresses at all.
"If there's such a thing as a dual naming is there some kid of miraculous consensus that can be achieved here, that would be something of great interest to me," said Ithaca Mayor, Carolyn Peterson.
Despite the outcome many say the debate has opened the door for much needed conversations about race relations in the city.
The Mayor says the board will discuss today's findings next Wednesday and decide whether to vote then or table it to the following week.
Yes. There have always been black people in Ithaca.
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