Bellflower : Street Renaming Opposed
Residents opposed to changing the name of Compton Boulevard to Somerset Boulevard crowded Monday’s Planning Commission meeting, prompting the commission to unanimously oppose the proposal.
In an effort to create a new image for their city, the next-door city of Paramount in November changed the name of its two-mile stretch of Compton Boulevard to Somerset and in December asked Bellflower to do the same.
Like Compton officials who called the move racist, and Paramount residents and merchants upset over the cost involved in changing business cards and stationery, Bellflower residents had similar concerns.
“Besides it costing us, I am opposed to the change because I feel for the people in Compton,” said one woman. “I feel like we are being racist about this.”
Compton Boulevard, which runs for two miles through Bellflower, ends at the San Gabriel River.
The recommendation will be presented at the Monday City Council meeting, but the council may delay its decision, said David Lepo, assistant planner.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
