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Council approves initiating Jackie Robinson Way street renaming; formal process to begin
Summary
The City Council approved a motion to request the city manager coordinate commemorative and directional signage and begin the street-name change process for a portion of East/West 28th Street to be named "Jackie Robinson Way"; staff said official changes could take months to a year and ceremonial signage may appear sooner.
The Long Beach City Council on April 15 approved a request from Vice Mayor Uranga to begin the process of renaming portions of West and East 28th Street near the Alamitos Bay/Jackie Robinson Academy area to "Jackie Robinson Way." The council authorized the city manager to coordinate with Community Development and Public Works to provide commemorative and directional signage and to direct Public Works to change maps and street signs as necessary.
Vice Mayor Uranga introduced the item on Jackie Robinson Day and noted Robinson's place in baseball history. "Today, I'm honored to say that we're going to name a street after Jackie Robinson," he said, describing the renaming as "small, a little part of a street in the ring area in Long Beach, but wide and significant in its meaning." Rebecca Ngo, principal of Jackie Robinson Academy, told the council that the proposed renaming would be an inspiration for students and a way to honor Robinson’s legacy.
Councilmembers supported the motion. Mayor Rex Richardson and others praised the proposal as a neighborhood-driven recognition and urged a smooth community process. Staff warned the official street-name change process is extensive: one staff member said the formal process can take nine months to a year because of county recording, postal-service notification and map updates. The city will, however, explore quicker ceremonial signage while the full administrative and recording steps are completed.
The motion carried. Staff will work with Council District 7 and Public Works to expedite ceremonial signage and to begin the formal street renaming steps required to update maps and notify relevant agencies.
Ending: Staff will return with timing and next steps; councilmembers expressed support for the renaming as a localized honor for Robinson's legacy.
