Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The City of Boston is one step closer to renaming a street in Jamaica Plain that was originally named after a controversial figure.
The very busy Bussey Street is named after Benjamin Bussey, the man who donated much of the land that ended up being the Arnold Arboretum. Some residents have pushed to change the name of the street because Bussey made his money in the 19th century by trading goods made by enslaved people.
An initiative has been launched to name the street after a different person, who was connected to the land and whose legacy still represents “current community values.” Five names were chosen as finalists: Cuffe, Dick Welsh, Flora, Margaret Fuller and Shiu-ying Hu.
There is an online form where members of the community can vote on which of the five finalists they prefer or can voice support for keeping the street named after Bussey. There will be a Zoom meeting to provide more information on the finalists at 7:00 P.M. on April 11.
The survey will close at 11:59 P.M. on April 27, 2024.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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