The Tempe City Council voted this week to rename three streets and three parks that bore the names of now-deceased Tempe leaders who were affiliated with a local KKK chapter.

In addition, the council also voted to rename Sixth Street Park in downtown Tempe.

The changes will take effect July 1. Approximately 170 households and no businesses are located on the three streets being renamed, and the city will assist those affected, including a reimbursement process to cover certain fees, such as driver’s license changes.

“We are proud to honor Tempe individuals and families who were incredible people of service and distinction that contributed immensely to make our community what it is today,” Mayor Corey Woods said March 2 when the unanimous council vote occurred.

“I am proud of our city, the Parks and Streets Renaming Ad Hoc Committee and the Tempe City Council for advancing this issue, embracing a restorative approach and ensuring that our city places and spaces represent all Tempeans.”

The names were suggested by community members and vetted by a committee of council-appointed volunteers.

“The committee met several times and selected options that would recognize the contributions of community members who were pioneers or were instrumental in advancing a sense of belonging in their communities,” a city release stated.

The new names are:

Parque de Soza – Replaces Hudson Park. Recognizes the multigenerational pioneer Soza family.  

Rancho de Sotelo – To be a special, marked area east of Rural Road and south of University Drive, designating the 160-acre ranch of the Sotelo family, including Manuela Sotelo, a respected Latina pioneer and landowner.

Obregon Street – Replaces East Laird Street. Recognizes pioneer farmer Pedro “Pete” Obregon, who was known as “Don Pedro” in the community for his work to take care of others.

Michelle Brooks-Totress Park – Replaces Redden Park. Recognizes community activist, philanthropist and volunteer Michelle Brooks-Totress.

Romo-Jones Street – Replaces West Laird Street. Recognizes husband-and-wife pioneers Adolfo Romo and Joaquina Jones, who fought and won in court for their children to be able to attend school with white children.

Thomas Lane – Replaces Hudson Lane. Recognizes Maggie and Theodore Thomas, who were an African American pioneer family and business owners.

Mary and Moses Green Park – Replaces Harelson Park. Recognizes Mary and Moses Green, who were the first African American landowners in what is now Tempe.

Ragsdale-MLK Park – Replaces Sixth Street Park. This was an additional renaming proposed by the City Council on Feb. 9, in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Lincoln Ragsdale, a prominent local Civil Rights activist, businessman and veteran.
 
For more information about the renaming process, visit tempe.gov/renaming.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.