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Label:
Emergency ordinance
*Authorize exception to Code Chapter 17.93 Renaming City Streets and authorize the renaming of Cesar E. Chavez Blvd to Campesinos Blvd (allow exceptions to Code Sections 17.93.010, 17.93.020, 17.93.030, 17.93.040 and 17.93.050)
Passed
Amended by Council
The City of Portland ordains.
Section 1. The Council finds:
- Credible and substantiated revelations of abuse and violence attributed to labor leader César Chávez have led the City of Portland to grieve with la causa supporters and survivors of sexual assault.
- There is widespread support in the community to swiftly rename Portland's César Chávez Boulevard in a manner that befits and honors la causa, Latinx labor leaders, and farmworker organizations.
- The City recognizes the many farmworkers and immigrants who make up transformative, intergenerational labor movements like la causa.
- Farmworkers, or campesinos, have both historically and continue to provide the labor for the food our community needs and selflessly support food justice programs, even while facing food insecurity themselves.
- The City stands in solidarity against indiscriminate deportations, the targeting of the Latinx community, and ongoing unlawful federal overreach.
- The Council believes the most anti-racist, equitable, collaborative, and fiscally responsible action is a swift renaming rather than the erasure of previous labor, partnership, and process.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- Northeast and Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard shall be renamed as Northeast and Southeast Campesinos Boulevard.
- The requirements of Portland City Code Sections 17.93.010, 17.93.020, 17.93.030, 17.93.040 and 17.93.050, renaming City Streets, are hereby waived for the renaming of Northeast and Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard to Northeast and Southeast Campesinos Boulevard.
- The City Administrator shall notify owners and occupants of all property abutting the street being named, affected public agencies, the general public, U.S. Post Office, and emergency services organizations of the name change through public notice, direct correspondence, and other appropriate means.
- The requirements in Code Subsection 17.93.060.A are hereby waived for the proposed renaming of Northeast and Southeast César E. Chávez Boulevard to Northeast and Southeast Campesinos Boulevard. Instead, the existing street name sign and proposed new street name sign shall both be posted and maintained up to five years following approval for the proposed renaming of Northeast and Southeast César E. Chávez Boulevard to Northeast and Southeast Campesinos Boulevard.
Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to be responsive to community concerns about the negative impact of survivors of abuse and others, and to ensure facilitation of the timely operations of City staff in changing the name; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.
Exhibits and attachments
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved
in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed as amended by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of proposed legislation and background information
This ordinance authorizes the renaming of Northeast and Southeast Cesar Chavez Boulevard within the City of Portland to Northeast and Southeast Campesinos Boulevard.
The purpose of the ordinance is to recognize and honor the broader legacy of farmworkers, immigrants, Latinx labor leaders, and the collective labor movement known as la causa. The proposed renaming responds to community concerns regarding credible and substantiated revelations of abuse and violence attributed to labor leader César Chávez, while preserving recognition of the farmworker movement and the people whose labor and organizing have shaped food justice, workers' rights, and immigrant justice efforts.
The ordinance also acknowledges community interest in moving forward with a swift, equitable, and fiscally responsible renaming process. To accomplish this, the ordinance waives the provisions of Portland City Code Chapter 17.93 related to renaming City streets and directs the Portland Bureau of Transportation to install new street signs reflecting the new street name within six months.
Financial and budgetary impacts
This ordinance is expected to have limited but direct financial impacts associated with the administrative and operational costs of renaming the street. These costs may include public notice, direct correspondence to affected property owners and occupants, coordination with public agencies and emergency services, updates to City records, and the fabrication and installation of new street signs by the Portland Bureau of Transportation.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation will be responsible for installing new street signs showing the new street name and removing the former street name within six months. Any costs associated with sign replacement, staff time, and implementation are expected to be absorbed within existing bureau resources unless otherwise identified by PBOT during implementation.
This ordinance does not create a new ongoing program, staffing requirement, or dedicated revenue source.
Economic and real estate development impacts
This ordinance may have minor administrative impacts on businesses, property owners, residents, and institutions located along the renamed corridor. These impacts may include updating mailing addresses, business records, signage, marketing materials, licenses, maps, and other official or commercial documents that reference the current street name.
The ordinance does not directly change zoning, land use designations, development entitlements, property values, or permitted uses along the corridor. No direct real estate development impacts are anticipated.
To reduce disruption, the ordinance directs the City Administrator to notify owners and occupants of property abutting the street, affected public agencies, the general public, the U.S. Post Office, emergency services organizations, and other relevant entities through public notice, direct correspondence, and other appropriate means.
Community impacts and community involvement
This ordinance is intended to respond to community concerns and advance an equitable approach to street renaming that honors farmworkers, immigrants, Latinx labor leaders, and the broader labor movement rather than centering recognition on one individual.
The renaming to Campesinos Boulevard reflects the contributions of farmworkers who have historically and continue to provide essential labor for the food system while often facing economic insecurity and inequitable working conditions. The ordinance also recognizes the need to act in solidarity against discrimination, deportations, and federal overreach affecting Latinx and immigrant communities.
The ordinance acknowledges that previous renaming efforts involved complex, inconsistent, and burdensome requirements and that the public process created harm for advocates and City staff through racism, harassment, verbal abuse, and threats of violence. By waiving Chapter 17.93 and moving forward through Council action, the ordinance seeks to provide a more direct and responsive path while preserving public notification to affected residents, businesses, agencies, and community members.
100% renewable goal
This ordinance does not directly affect the City's 100% renewable energy goals. The legislation does not authorize energy consumption, construction, fleet purchases, building operations, or infrastructure projects that would increase or decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Any physical implementation activity, including the fabrication, removal, and installation of street signs, should be carried out consistent with existing City sustainability practices and procurement policies where applicable.
Economic and real estate development analysis
Analysis provided by Prosper Portland
Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis submitted for this action and finds that it satisfies the requirements set forth in City Council Resolution 37664. The analysis is sufficiently detailed and complete to be considered a final statement for purposes of this action.
Document history
Document number: 2026-243
President's referral: City Council