SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio City Council's Governance Committee voted 4-0 to advance proposals to rename César E. Chávez Boulevard back to Durango Boulevard and to rename Splashtown Drive to Willie Mitchell Drive. Both proposals require a technical review, consideration by the Planning Commission, and a full City Council vote expected in August.

The renaming of César E. Chávez Boulevard must also be considered by the Historic and Design Review Commission, and a community meeting will be held on the proposed change for Splashtown Drive. The commissions will only make recommendations on the proposed street name changes, according to Development Services Director Logan Sparrow.

The boulevard spans from the West Side across downtown to the near East Side of San Antonio. It was named after César Chávez in 2011, replacing its previous name, Durango Boulevard. A New York Times investigation alleged that Chávez, who died in 1993, sexually abused Dolores Huerta and other girls decades ago.

After the allegations came to light, the city received more than 18,000 survey responses regarding renaming the boulevard. Sixty-four percent of respondents wanted the street's name changed back to Durango Boulevard, and among respondents who live on the street, 79% wanted the name changed back.

Councilwoman Teri Castillo (D5) submitted the official request to change the boulevard back to Durango. "Many of my constituents have shared that they didn't understand why it was changed in the first place. Many still refer to César Chávez Street as 'Durango,' so many are grateful that we are going back to the original name of Durango for the road," Castillo said. In her request, she asked to use funds from the city's annual César Chávez march to cover sign replacement and costs incurred by residents and businesses because of the name change. Sparrow estimated that the renaming will cost between $200,000 and $300,000, mostly due to signage, and said the city is seeking funding for it.

Splashtown Drive is less than 700 yards long off the Interstate 35 access road on the East Side and was named after a water park it used to lead to. The park closed in 2021 and has been replaced by a car dealership. Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez (D2) suggested renaming the street to honor Willie Mitchell, a former Wheatley High School football star who played in two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs. District 2 met with neighbors of the United Homeowners Improvement Association and businesses to select an appropriate name reflecting the area's history, and nearby neighbors wanted to honor Mitchell.

Mitchell attended and played football at Wheatley High School on the East Side before the school closed in 1970. He joined the Chiefs in 1964 as a free agent and was named an all-pro cornerback in 1965. He helped the team reach the first American Football League World Championship in 1967 against the Green Bay Packers and won his only Super Bowl ring by defeating the Minnesota Vikings in 1970. According to San Antonio Sports, he is one of the top 50 high school football players in San Antonio history. Mitchell also helped start San Antonio Fighting Back, an organization committed to bettering the community through leadership and mentorship. "I hope they remember about me that I'm just another individual like them and I treat them in a real, respectable manner and I have all the respect in the world for them," Mitchell said.