We express our admiration and respect for civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez and the many beneficial accomplishments he worked to enact in the United States. We support their efforts to name a prominent place, building or monument to honor him in Portland. While we support these intentions, we believe that Broadway is not a street that should be under consideration for this honor. We express our opposition to the re-naming of Northeast, North and Southwest Broadway Street in Portland, Oregon for the following reasons: 1. Broadway plays a large part in Portland's history and cultural heritage. Renaming Broadway would result in a loss of identity that dates back to the earliest periods of Portland's history. 2. Broadway forms one border of the Registered Historic District of Irvington. 3. The name Broadway itself is a part of our identity, and in many cases, used within the actual names of businesses located here. 4. Any renaming of Broadway would have a negative economic impact to many or all of the businesses located on Broadway. 5. In a difficult economic climate, the financial cost to businesses and subsequent confusion to our potential customers would create undue hardship to business owners.

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