| Newsfront - Friday, October 19, 2007
County suggests 'Alamo Boulevard'
Residents and businesses would have to agree to name change
by Natalie O'Neill
What's in a name? Quite a bit, county staff says.
Danville Boulevard may be changed to Alamo Boulevard if enough residents give the go-ahead, county officials told the Alamo Community Council at its meeting last Thursday.
"We feel this would be an extra identity to add to Alamo, an extra asset," said Gina Ferretti, south county field representative for District 3 Supervisor Mary N. Piepho.
The road change would only occur within Alamo limits, from El Portal to Rudgear Road. This would give the artery five different names in about 10 miles including San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Hartz Avenue, Danville Boulevard and Main Street.
Ferretti noted that county staffers had been asked to look into the possibility of a name alteration by Alamo residents. In order for it to happen, 90 percent of residents who live on the boulevard, plus businesses, would need to favor the switch and indicate their agreement in writing.
The Board of Supervisors would then look at whether the road title was duplicated by checking with the local fire district or post office. They would also consider how much of Danville Boulevard to alter to Alamo Boulevard.
"It's not a small undertaking," said Jerry Fahy, senior civil engineer for the county traffic department.
Costs would include changing street signs, which would range from $200 to $800. Businesses would be responsible for the cost of updating their own mailing addresses.
When changing a street name, the county also considers whether the current name has cultural or historical significance. If it is named after an individual or family that still lives on the street or elsewhere in the county, the county will consider whether the person or family agrees with the change.
The effort is still in very preliminary stages, Fahy said.
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