Wilma Chan Way: Alameda may rename roadway in honor of the late county supervisor
—WILMA WAY—Following Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan’s tragic death last November, a number of proposals have been made to memorialize her legacy. One involves naming Oakland’s Highland Hospital after Chan. But the first attempt at preserving Chan’s legacy may come next week in Alameda.
—The Alameda City Council will discuss on Tuesday night whether to rename Constitution Way, a strip of roadway that connects Alameda and Oakland near the Posey/Webster Tubes, in honor of Chan.
—The renaming request came last month from Chan’s children, Daren and Jennifer Chan. “We can think of no better way to honor our mother’s legacy and contributions than to rename Constitution Way to ‘Wilma Chan Way’ so that people may remember her every time they enter and exit Alameda,” Chan’s children wrote Alameda’s city manager.
—But the request does not adhere to the city’s street renaming policy, including a review by the planning board, a petition with at least 500 resident’s signatures, and a requirement the person to be honored has been deceased for at least three years.
—The roadway was originally named Patton Way and was changed in 1987 for the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. Another matter could aid a swift approval of the street renaming: only one business is located on Constitution Way, thereby, avoiding great costs that could be associated with replacing street signs and clerical materials used by businesses.
ELECTION 2022
OAKLAND MAYOR
—LOREN IN TROUBLE—Oakland Councilmember Loren Taylor’s prospect for becoming the city’s next mayor are good. His recent campaign finance reports show he has strong support, but one of those supporters could be problematic. Embattled AC Transit At-Large Director Joel Young is among one of Taylor’s donors. Young contributed $900 last fall to Taylor’s mayoral campaign.
MORE IN THIS ISSUE: Who is Protopappas backing for Oakland Mayor? | Black Pride Flag at Hayward City Hall | Former Alameda is sad | News Briefing | Datebook |
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