Pocatello’s Street Renaming Ad Hoc Committee Considering Two Alternatives for Cesar Chavez Avenue

The Street Renaming Ad Hoc Committee, a group of local community members formed to recommend a new name for Cesar Chavez Avenue, has narrowed down their ideas to two alternatives.

After discussing several potential names, the committee is considering the following:

Paz Avenue – Named in honor of Art Paz, a longtime Pocatello businessman whose life exemplified perseverance, entrepreneurship, and community investment. Born into a migrant farmworker family that settled in Aberdeen, Idaho, Paz worked in fields throughout the West as a child before becoming one of Pocatello’s first licensed hairstylists. He went on to establish several successful local businesses, creating jobs, mentoring employees, and investing in the community until his passing in 2015.

Gutierrez Avenue – Named in honor of Retired Judge Sergio Gutierrez, whose distinguished legal career has had a lasting impact on Idaho. After immigrating from Mexico as a young child and overcoming significant obstacles to earn his GED and law degree, Gutierrez has dedicated his career to public service and helping Hispanic farmworkers understand their legal rights. In 1993, he became Idaho’s first Hispanic judge following his appointment by Governor Cecil Andrus. In 1999, Governor Dirk Kempthorne appointed him to the Idaho Court of Appeals, where he continued serving the people of Idaho. After his retirement from the bench in 2018, Judge Gutierrez spends his time in Idaho and Arizona.

The Ad Hoc Committee will be meeting Monday, July 6, at 6:15 p.m. to vote on which alternative to recommend to the Pocatello Mayor and City Council. Their final recommendation will be presented at the August 13, 2026 City Council Work Session, and if the Mayor and City Council concur, will be scheduled for a vote at the August 20, 2026 Regular City Council meeting.