Cesar Chavez Avenue
NamesakeCesar Chavez
Maintained byBureau of Street Services, City of L.A. DPW, County of L.A. DPW
Length6.19 mi (9.96 km)
Nearest metro station A Line B Line D Line J Line Union Station
West endFigueroa Street / Sunset Boulevard in Downtown Los Angeles
Major
junctions
East endAtlantic Boulevard / Riggin Street in Monterey Park
Construction
Inauguration1994

Cesar Chavez Avenue (Spanish: Avenida César Chávez) is a major east–west thoroughfare in Downtown Los Angeles, the Eastside and East Los Angeles, measuring 6.19 miles (9.96 km) in length. Named in honor of union leader César Chávez, the street was formed in 1994 from Sunset Boulevard between Figueroa and Main streets, a new portion of roadway, Macy Street between Main Street and Mission Road, and Brooklyn Avenue through Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles into Monterey Park.[1]

History

The historic Spanish Colonial Revival style Macy Street Viaduct.
North entrance to Olvera Street from Cesar Chavez Avenue.

In October 1993, the Los Angeles City Council and the County Board of Supervisors approved the renaming of the stretch of roadway, but agreed to delay the change until 1994 and to put up historic plaques along Brooklyn Avenue to accommodate the opposition, many of whom believed that the new name would cause people to forget the Jewish history of the area.[2][3]

A street sign unveiling ceremony was held on March 31, 1994, Chávez's birthday, at the five-points intersection at Indiana Street, along the border of Boyle Heights and the unincorporated area of East Los Angeles.[3]

Route

Part of the pre-1940 Route 66, Cesar Chavez Avenue begins as a continuation of Sunset Boulevard on the east side of Figueroa Street. It runs through Downtown Los Angeles, crosses Alameda Street and passes over the Los Angeles River, through the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights and Boyle Heights and the northern portion of East Los Angeles into the southern portion of Monterey Park.

The roadway becomes Riggin Street when it crosses Atlantic Boulevard in Monterey Park.

Transportation

Notable landmarks

References

  1. ^ Pollack, Gina (July 22, 2019). "How To Speak LA: Your Guide To The City's Most Debated And Mispronounced Words". LAist. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  2. ^ Lacey, Marc (1993-10-14). "Cesar A. Chavez Avenue Gets OK After Concessions to Critics of Site". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  3. ^ a b Perez, Mary Anne (1994-04-03). "Eastside : Sign of the Times: Cesar Chavez Avenue". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  4. ^ FLOYD B. BARISCALE (2009-03-18). "No. 224 - Cesar E. Chavez Avenue Viaduct". Big Orange Landmarks. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  5. ^ "Cesar Chavez Avenue Bridge". KCET. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2019-08-30.

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