On the Road to Willie Brown Blvd.

Renaming effort under way to honor Brown's achievements

The idea to rename a San Francisco street after Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown is a step closer to becoming a reality.

Last week, city officials sent out notices to business and property owners along a 5-mile stretch of Third Street -- from Market to Hunter's Point, explaining the plan.

The notices detail Brown's accomplishments and explain his influence on the Bay Area and state political culture. Brown was San Francisco's first African-American mayor. He was a member of the State Assembly for 30 years -- 15 of them as Speaker -- before he ran the City.

Current San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom not only strongly supports the idea, he created it. He presented the idea to Brown last year on his 75th birthday. Brown turned 76 over the weekend.

People have until April 19 to call in or write to the city with their opinion on the plan. A board of supervisors committee will then hold a public hearing. If the committee decides to forward the plan, the full board and the mayor must approve the measure.

Even then, street signs will carry both names for five years before being fully changed to "Willie L. Brown Junior Boulevard." The change would cost around $200,000.

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