Thirty-three streets, three parks and one other public space in New Orleans are one step closer to getting new names now that the city’s Street Renaming Commission voted 7-1 for the changes Wednesday.
Most notably, Robert E. Lee Boulevard, named after the former Commander of the Confederate Army, could become Allen Toussaint Boulevard after the famed New Orleans musician. Tulane Avenue, named after Paul Tulane, who contributed to the Confederate government, could become Allison “Tootie” Montana Avenue, after the iconic Black Masking Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief.
A new name recommendation for Lee Circle is taking a little more time.
The commission considered recommending to rename Lee Circle for Leah “Dooky” Chase, known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, who created a safe space in her restaurant Dooky Chase for Black and white people to dine together during the civil rights movement. A recommendation that Orleans Avenue, where her restaurant sits, be renamed after Chase will be presented to City Council separately.
The commission also considered changing Lee Circle to Harmony Circle, but on Wednesday it voted 6-2 to approve a new recommendation for Lee Circle to become Egalite Circle. Egalite is French for equality. It is part of the national motto of France and the Republic of Haiti — Liberté, égalité, fraternité — and is a nod to the historical relationship both countries have with New Orleans.
The commission’s chairman, Karl J. Connor, stressed that the process to rename the streets, parks and public spaces on the list is far from over. The recommendations have to be brought to the full City Council. Individual council members will then propose the renaming of specific streets. If those proposals are approved, requests with the City Planning Commission and other departments, cost analysis and public notifications of street name changes will follow.
Prior to the commissioners discussing their recommendations, Councilmember Jay Banks stressed that the efforts to change the names are not “an attempt to rewrite history.”
Councilmember Kristin Gisleson-Palmer pointed out that most of the streets up for renaming are named after white men.
“I truly believe that our history is much more real and interesting when it is told in its entirety,” Gisleson-Palmer said.
The sole dissenter in the vote to approve the recommendations was commissioner Paul Sterbcow. He clarified that he disagreed with some of the choices for the names chosen to replace streets in District A and not with the removal of names of members of the Confederacy from public spaces. He said his vote reflects the views of residents of District A, whom he ultimately represents.
Here is the full list of recommended name changes:
Current Name: Beauregard Avenue
Final Recommendation: Sherwood (Woody) Gagliano Avenue
Current Name: Beauregard Drive
Final Recommendation: Doris Jean Castle Drive
Current Name: Behrman Ave.
Final Recommendation: Rodolphe Desdunes Avenue
Current Name: Behrman Place
Final Recommendation: P.B.S. Pinchback Place
Current Name: Behrman Hwy
Final Recommendation: Elanora Peete Highway
Current Name: Behrman Park
Final Recommendation: Dr. Morris F. X. Jeff, Sr. Park
Current Name: Bragg St.
Final Recommendation: Celestin St.
Current Name: Burke Ave. & Road (combine)
Final Recommendation: Juan San Malo Ave.
Current Name: Calhoun St.
Final Recommendation: Capdeville St.
Current Name: Capdeville St.
Final Recommendation: Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle St.
Current Name: Comus Ct.
Final Recommendation: Julia Aaron Humbles Ct.
Current Name: Conrad St.
Final Recommendation: Jasper St.
Current Name: Dreux Ave.
Final Recommendation: Francis Joseph-Gaudet Ave.
Current Name: Forshey St.
Final Recommendation: Charles “Buddy” Bolden St.
Current Name: General Early Drive
Final Recommendation: Dent Family Drive
Current Name: General Meyer Ave.
Final Recommendation: Dr. Rudy Lombard Ave.
Current Name: General Ogden Drive
Final Recommendation: Herman Midlo Drive
Current Name: Governor Nicholls St.
Final Recommendation: Lolis Edward Elie St.
Current Name: Lane St.
Final Recommendation: Georges St.
Current Name: Robert E. Lee Blvd.
Final Recommendation: Allen Toussaint Blvd.
Current Name: Lee Circle
Final Recommendation: Egalité Circle
Current Name: Lee St.
Final Recommendation: Leontine Goins Luke St.
Current Name: Louque Place
Final Recommendation: Charles McKenna Place
Current Name: McShane Place
Final Recommendation: Joseph Guillaume Place
Current Name: Mouton St.
Final Recommendation: Margaret Elizabeth St.
Current Name: Palmer Ave.
Final Recommendation: Edith Rosenwald Stern Ave.
Current Name: Palmer Park
Final Recommendation: John Minor Wisdom Park
Current Name: Patton St.
Final Recommendation: Nils R. Douglas St.
Current Name: Penn St.
Final Recommendation: Dr. Sara Mayo St.
Current Name: Semmes St.
Final Recommendation: Veronica Brown Hill St.
Current Name: Raphael Semmes St.
Final Recommendation: Dolly Adams St.
Current Name: Slidell St.
Final Recommendation: Henry James “Red” Allen St.
Current Name: Tulane Ave.
Final Recommendation: Allison “Tootie” Montana Ave.
Current Name: Vignaud St.
Final Recommendation: Diane “Mama D” French Cole St.
Current Name: Washington Artillery Park
Final Recommendation: Oscar James Dunn Park
Current Name: Wiltz Lane
Final Recommendation: Sophie Wright Place