Changing Centennial: Renaming idea to honor Martin Luther King Jr. gets mixed reaction.

Byline: Matt Cooper The Register-Guard

FOR ALMOST A DECADE NOW, Derek Alderman has studied American cities that take on the task of renaming a street for Martin Luther King Jr. He's rarely come across a situation like that in Eugene-Springfield.

"Your case is unique and very interesting," said Alderman, a cultural geographer at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. "You've essentially got two towns who are coming to grips with the question of how best to honor King. It takes the politics to a new level."

Tell us about it.

Momentum is building in Eugene to rename its portion of Centennial Boulevard in honor of King, but Springfield - which oversees more of the roadway and would face a larger burden of renaming it - is hesitant.

It's the latest chapter in the never-ending tale of two cities: A Eugene councilor said her city is responding to the public will, while a Springfield councilor said no one has come forward asking Springfield to follow suit.

Eugene's portion of Centennial rolls right past Autzen Stadium, but relatively few homeowners and businesses would be affected if the street were renamed. In Springfield, Centennial runs through blocks and blocks of tidy homes whose homeowners would have to scrap personalized checkbooks, mailbox signs and anything else with an outdated address.

And, of course, there are the philosophical differences between Eugene, known somewhat as a hippie haven, and Springfield, more of a working-class town with roots in the logging industry.

"It seems like it's ultra-liberal over there," said Matt Eastland, 33, of Springfield. "Separate the two cities - if they want to (change Centennial in Eugene), that's fine."

Objections to renaming streets for King is nothing new, Alderman said.

More than 500 cities across the United States have done it. As more cities rename their streets, some are feeling the backlash from opponents.

Some don't like this change to their identity, their sense of place, Alderman said, and some don't like the controversial civil rights leader.

Many admire King but can't agree on how to pay tribute. Or, if they agree to rename a street, they can't decide whether to choose a beautiful boulevard or one that runs through a low income community such as the ones King hoped to inspire, Alderman said.

Whatever the reason, he added, it's too simplistic to write off opponents as racist.

"There's no doubt that race is an issue, there's no doubt that conservatives tend to see his achievements as less important than more liberal populations," Alderman said. "But it doesn't have to be related to King at all. It's economics, it's cultural identity, it's political philosophy."

Eugene and Springfield politicians, in fact, are careful not to tread on each other's toes over this sensitive subject.

The Eugene City Council voted unanimously last month to begin the process of renaming Centennial Boulevard for King, and the next step is gathering public feedback to make sure the support is there, Councilor Bonny Bettman said.

In response, Springfield Councilor Tammy Fitch said she has suggested establishing a Springfield study committee to gauge the sentiment in her city.

Fitch said she recognized the obligation of Eugene officials to meet their citizens' wishes. Bettman said that, should Springfield reject the renaming of Centennial, it's not uncommon for a roadway to have different names in different areas.

"My hope is the community sees us as looking at this issue and doing something that would make sense," Fitch said. "Martin Luther King would never have wanted to burden the common citizen to do something for him."

But 31-year-old Jeremy Dodds, an African-American who lives on Centennial in Springfield, said renaming the street would remind people of King's message of nonviolence.

Dodds said he's endured nasty looks and unsavory remarks because of his skin color, and renaming the street would send a positive message.

"It's a great idea," Dodds said. "It would say the city is recognizing him as an individual, or African-Americans as a people."

Others on Centennial in Springfield, however, see no need for the change.

James Pratt, a white warehouse worker, noted that the community already has a tribute to King - Martin Luther King Park at 10th and Grant streets in Eugene - and said renaming Centennial would be a nuisance to hundreds of people along the roadway.

Eastland and a friend, Tracy Paulson, both white, said the issue isn't race, it's the unnecessary expense and hassle and the fact that the two cities should be free to take their own paths.

"I'd say the same thing if they were going to change it to JFK Road," Eastland said.

But only half of Centennial Boulevard named for King?

"Obviously, it is our hope that the street would be named in Springfield as well," said Marilyn Mays, president of the local chapter of the NAACP, which has been pushing a street-renaming for years.

"Every time people visit here from different states and different cities they ask, `You guys don't have a Martin Luther King Boulevard?' ' Mays said. `You just kind of explain, `That's one of our goals.' '

Mays credited a change in the political climate for pushing the street-renaming to the front burner in Eugene and said that if Springfield doesn't rename Centennial, she hopes the city will rename something for King that is "as significant or more significant."

As for Bettman, she's hopeful Eugene will approve the street renaming by March, when the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People hosts a regional conference.

"Wouldn't that be wonderful if the announcement could coincide with that conference?" Bettman mused.

CAPTION(S):

Jeremy Dodds, who lives near West Centennial and Prescott Lane in Springfield, says renaming the street would remind people of King's message. Please turn to RENAMING, Page A6 Renaming: Cities may disagree Continued from Page A1