The city of Hialeah, located in Miami-Dade County, is seeking approval from county commissioners to rename one of its key thoroughfares, Palm Avenue, to "President Donald J. Trump Avenue." Mayor Esteban Bovo announced on Instagram, "Thanks to the backing of the Hialeah City Council, Palm Avenue, which divides the east and west sides of the city, will now be called PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP AVENUE."
According to reports from The Miami Herald, the proposal is set to be discussed on December 3 by the Miami-Dade commission. Initially approved by Hialeah commissioners in November 2023, this initiative underscores "La Ciudad que Progresa's" (The City of Progress) strong support for the former president, Donald Trump.
Community and Historical Concerns
Hialeah's community is predominantly Hispanic with a Republican leaning. However, the historical preservation board has expressed concerns regarding the avenue's renaming. Mayor Bovo clarified that Palm Avenue's name would not be completely removed, and the section known as "Veterans Way" will remain unchanged. The proposal aims to integrate the new name by adding plaques to certain segments while maintaining the current designation.
Approval Challenges
The request will need a simple majority from the Miami-Dade Commission to pass, although political divisions could impact the decision. Essentially, the designation of Donald J. Trump Avenue hinges on a Democrat's vote to appear on the city's maps. This kind of naming is not unprecedented in the county; in 2016, Miami Gardens designated a portion of Northwest 185th Terrace as "President Barack and Michelle Obama Boulevard."
Renaming Roads: A Complex Process
Nevertheless, renaming county-managed roads after living federal officials requires a supermajority of two-thirds. Known as a Republican stronghold in South Florida, Hialeah boasts a population exceeding 221,000, based on the 2023 census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state.