Sometime during the next few months, new street signs will emerge along 600 South proclaiming the main thoroughfare's new honorary name, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The Salt Lake City Council, after listening to a widely diverse but well-behaved overflow crowd argue the pros and cons of the move, voted unanimously for the change Tuesday night.The vote surprised even supporters, who gave the council a rousing standing ovation. Most council members acknowledged they were voting against the wishes of a lot of their constituents. However, many political heavyweights, including Gov. Mike Leavitt and leaders of local convention and tourism efforts, had announced strong support for the change.
The Rev. France Davis of Calvary Baptist Church, a member of the Martin Luther King Committee that originally proposed the change, said he expected some opposition on the council.
"We are very pleased," he said. "Now there is at least an honorary indication that anyone is welcome in our city."
Intense last-minute lobbying by Mayor Deedee Corradini may have helped change the minds of some council members, while others appeared to have been persuaded by the calls of constituents.
City Councilwoman Roselyn Kirk, who last week said she was undecided, said a Deseret News story on the proposal last week spurred many supporters of the change to call her. Before that, she had heard mostly from opponents.
"I decided I'm going to have to make my own decision," she said.
Councilman Don Hale acknowledged many in his district strongly oppose the name change, but he said he voted for it in the name of diversity.
"We have advertised that the world is welcome here, and we want them to feel welcome here," he said.
Diversity and the city's image were themes cited repeatedly by supporters of the change. Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Rick Davis said many outsiders believe Utah is hostile to minorities, and a street named in honor of King will change those perceptions.
Opponents who spoke at the hearing said the name change will be confusing. Others said they worry every minority group will want a street named after one of their leaders.
"This is opening a Pandora's Box," said Helen Parker. "Once the door is open to this group, there will be no denying a similar petition by other groups."
Bob Angell said the name change will polarize races within the city.
"It's not a racial issue," he said, noting he believes the King name is inappropriate in Utah. "Outside of this meeting, in my neighborhood, people are 85 percent opposed to this."But supporters argued the name will be honorary only. It won't change the street's official 600 South designation. Many, including some Asians, said King represents freedom and civil rights for all people, not just blacks.
"I couldn't think of any Asian who had as much of an impact on our lives as did Dr. Martin Luther King," said retired 3rd District Judge Raymond Uno, an Asian. "Asian-Americans recognize right away what he's done for us."
Others said the new name will do wonders for the state's image and will recognize the role African-Americans played in the state's history.
Rita Bankhead, a descendent of black pioneers, said many Utahns aren't aware of the state's black heritage.
"We're in your history books," she said. "Salt Lake needs to join the bandwagon with the rest of the nation."
The King Committee will pay the estimated $3,000 needed to change street signs along 600 South from 200 West to 700 East. The signs will include the 600 South designation, with King's name below.
Davis said the group has yet to collect the money needed to change signs along I-15 near the 600 South exit.
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What other cities have done
Salt Lake City isn't the only one to struggle with the question of whether to rename a street in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.:
- Des Moines - Despite opposition, the City Council removed the name of former President Warren Harding from a main street last January and renamed it Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.
- San Diego - Several years ago, the City Council caused an uproar by renaming Market Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Merchants said the change would cause confusion. Proponents accused the merchants of racism. The council eventually reversed itself and the street returned to Market Street. Then, in 1989, the city rejected a proposal to rename its convention center after King.
- Cobb County, Ga. - Government officials and a Martin Luther King Jr. support group are at odds over which street to rename in honor of King. The local government wants to rename a street that runs through a historically black neighborhood. The support group wants to rename a major thoroughfare through white and black communities.
- Santa Ana, Calif. - Last may, the Planning Commission rejected a plan to rename Fairview Street after King, saying it would cost businesses too much to change addresses on brochures, business cards, stationery and signs. Black leaders accused the city of "using money as a scapegoat."