City Councilman Darrell Saunders says he's had a dozen residents react to the proposal to add Martin Luther King Jr.'s name to a section of 24th Street - and all were against it.
Saunders made the comment during the council's weekly meeting at which it was decided to hold a public hearing on the matter March 21.The idea for adding the name of the late civil-rights leader to an 18-block length of 24th Street between G Street and Harrison Boulevard was suggested to the council by the mayor's Multicultural Advisory Committee two months ago.
Saunders said one resident complained that King was no more deserving than many other people and some said King had no ties to Utah. Most were concerned with the cost of the additional signs.
Councilman Jesse Garcia said the 26 or 27 responses he has received on the proposal sets a record for a public issue.
"Maybe nine were for it, the rest were opposed," he said. "The antis cited confusion and cost as their chief concerns."
City planners estimated new signs would cost about $3,200. The Multicultural Committee has offered to raise half that amount.