CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There was a celebratory caravan up and down the newly named Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive Saturday. Before the event kicked off, some questions were answered about renaming one of Chicago's most iconic streets after the city's founder.
Ephraim Martin, chairman of Black Heroes Matter Coalition Chairman, spearheaded the renaming effort and told WBBM Newsradio that he has his ear on Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot when she mentions funding for future DuSable honoring projects.
"She mentioned $40 million to the DuSable project, which is for the monument, park and other things that she has in mind," Martin said.
Martin said 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins has even suggested renaming Millennium Park after the city's founder. But first things first such as answering some Chicagoans questions about Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. One question, how are they going to fit the seven-word name on a street sign?
"You may see Jean Baptiste Point in small in one line and then fullness DuSable Lake Shore Drive is another," he said.
As passionate as Martin has been about the name change, he said he doesn't mind if people simply call it DuSable Lake Shore Drive. He added that buildings along Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive will also keep their previous addresses.
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