Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Potential Renaming

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Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Potential Renaming:

The process and where we are now

This summer when raising awareness of racial inequality was racing across the county, Marin County residents started to critically look at some of the symbols, monuments and public figures and individuals associated with the institution of slavery here in our own backyard. Much of this focus has been on Sir Francis Drake: including Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, the Drake ‘statue” in Larkspur (which has been removed), and the High School originally named after Sir Francis Drake--now called the 1327 High School. 

This discussion began to grow with many calling to rename the Boulevard. Supervisor Rice and I led a Listening Session with the representatives from jurisdictions along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to hear from our constituents. This was followed by a Learning Session to dig deeper into the road’s history and original naming, begin to understand a bit more about Sir Francis Drake, hear from our indigenous Miwok residents, and learn about how this issue overlaps with Marin County’s equity efforts. Please visit the Marin County Free Library’s Drake Boulevard History Resource Page to view recorded sessions in English or Spanish and learn more.

Since then, Supervisor Rice and I have continued to meet with the ‘Working Group’ of representatives from the jurisdictions along Sir Francis Drake, their Town Managers, and staff to explore potential impacts and costs to residents and businesses if the name were to change. The Working Group recently agreed to take the question as to whether to move forward with renaming Sir Francis Drake Blvd. to their respective communities by March 31, 2021 (Phase 1). This process will conclude with a public hearing in each jurisdiction (on current County plans we expect that to be no earlier than March 9^th).

If a jurisdiction votes to change the name, it will take up the question of a new name as part of Phase 2. Ideally that process would be consistent along all jurisdictions and completed by the time the road improvements are slated to be completed along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (fall 2021).

Moving Forward - How to Participate

Monday 1/25/21 at 6pm Virtual Event with Supervisor Rodoni and Rice Sir Francis Drake Blvd. possible renaming review and discussion for unincorporated residents & businesses along Sir Francis Drake BLVD. 

Here is the zoom link; additional details:

www.zoom.us/Join or call (669) 900-6833

Meeting ID: 994 2269 4295, Attendee ID: #, Password: 212141

English with Spanish interpretation or ASL & CDI

Additional Meetings and Sir Francis Drake BLVD Conversations with Supervisor Rodoni:

• 2/11/21 at 6:30pm - Pt. Reyes Village Association 
  • Zoom link and details will be posted on their website 
• 2/16/21 at 6:00pm - Olema Valley and Inverness Park Village Associations 
  • Zoom Link
• 2/22/21 at 6:30pm - San Geronimo Valley 
  • Zoom Link
• 2/24/22 at 7:00pm - Inverness Association
  • Zoom information available by contacting the association directly  
• 3/9/21 Tentative Board of Supervisors Hearing 
  • Agenda will be made available 5 days prior to the hearing  

For more information view the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Renaming FAQ, and visit my current projects webpage for additional updates. Additionally, click here to view the 12/29/20 Sir Francis Drake Update. 

Thank you and we hope to hear from you soon.

 

Sincerely,

Dennis Rodoni, District 4

T: 415-473-7331

E: drodoni@marincounty.org

 

District 4 Office:

Rhonda Kutter

T: 415-473-3246

E: rkutter@marincounty.org

 ...

Lorenzo Cordova

T: 415-473-3092

E: lcordova@marincounty.org

...