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Council approves Quakertown Civic Center and names day‑labor site for Popo Gonzalez
Summary
Council voted to rename the Denton Civic Center to Quakertown Civic Center to honor the neighborhood's history and approved naming the day‑labor site at 301 Fort Worth Drive for community leader Popo Gonzalez after public testimony from descendants and community members.
The Denton City Council unanimously approved two naming resolutions after staff and the Parks and Recreation Board solicited public input.
The council renamed the civic center at 321 East McKinney Street the Quakertown Civic Center to recognize the layered history of Quakertown and the work the city and descendants undertook during the downtown master‑plan process. Francis Punch, Parks & Recreation Board chair, and Zalinda Alexander Pegram, who identified herself as a Quakertown descendant, spoke in support, saying the change preserves and publicizes a historically under‑recognized chapter of Denton’s history.
Separately, council approved naming the day‑labor site at 301 Fort Worth Drive the Popo Gonzalez Day Labor Site in recognition of Emilio “Popo” Gonzalez’s community service and efforts to create a place where people seeking honest day work could connect with employers. Councilmember Jester read remarks from Gonzalez’s son, who described Gonzalez’s advocacy on behalf of day laborers and community service; several councilmembers and family members spoke in favor. One speaker raised a cultural‑language caution about the nickname “Popo,” noting local colloquial meanings, but family members and supporters emphasized Gonzalez’s decades of service.
Both naming resolutions passed 6–0. Staff will implement signage and administrative updates per the city’s naming policy and proceed to finalize any related asset/lease steps for the day‑labor site as needed.
