Watch CBS News

Proposal To Rename Stony Island Draws Mixed Reaction From Residents

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A proposal to rename a major thoroughfare on Chicago's South Side has some brought some mixed reactions.

Opinions on naming Stony Island after the late Bishop Arthur Brazier are as divided as the avenue is along 73rd street.

Proposal To Rename Stony Island Draws Mixed Reaction From Residents

Steve Timson, who works at Stony Boost Mobile, says changing the street name would create problems for his store and require printing new t-shirts, business cards and other promotional items.

But just up the block at City Cleaners, Theresa applauds the idea.

She says people adjusted when the city named another major south side street after the Rev. Martin Luther King.

Some employees at stores along Stony Island assert the honor is overdue for Brazier, a civil rights leader who brought Rev King to Chicago and lead the Apostolic Church of God for 48 years before he died in 2010.

Others say despite his work in the community, many people don't know who Brazier was.

An employee of a convenience wearing a shirt that says "Stone Island" told WBBM Newsradio the city should consider an honorary street sign or renaming the street near Brazier's church - which is at 63rd and Dorchester - not on Stony Island.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.