DADE CITY – Many people didn't want to rename Lock Street Calle de Milagros, which in Spanish means "Street of Miracles." Some, like city official Walter Perryman, believed it would be too difficult to pronounce. But Calle de Milagros is soon to go from the only street of its kind, to the first street of its kind.
The City Commission passed a vote early Monday morning to give a Spanish moniker to every street in Dade City.
It is unknown when these changes will be in effect but The Kumquat has obtained leaked documents of the propsosed 6.9 million dollar deal, containing proposed names for several of Dade City’s streets.
According to the documents, Meridian Ave. is set to be renamed ‘Calle de Trabajo Muy Duro’, meaning “The Street of Very Tough Labor.”
Church Ave., commonly referred to as Church St., will also receive a new name. Church Ave. will now also go by ‘Avenida de Enrique Iglesias’, named, of course, after Spanish pop sensation Enrique Iglesias, whose last name translates to “Churches”.
Walter Perryman is one of several city officials to eventually come around to agree to give streets Spanish names.
“We really think this will be a good way to bring the city closer together. It should help bridge the gap between Latinos and whites and help the city become a more diversified and open-minded community. This is a huge step forward for us, and a great moment in this city’s history,” Perryman said in a statement Monday. "We think Calle de Milagros was a great idea and we would like to see every street in the city adopt Spanish monikers. This idea is the best thing to come out of Lock St. since Twistee Treat.”
The Kumquat spoke with several Dade City residents to hear their comments on Perryman’s recent statement.
“Si…yes…bridge…si,” said Luis Mendoza of Tommytown, who was more interested in asking us for work than talking about the street names.
This story is just in developing stages and rumors about street names are starting to surface at rapid speed.
Check The Kumquat for future updates on this stunning story.