The proposal to change the name of Kirker Pass Road came forward as the public learned more about our history and re-evaluated place names and change, where appropriate. At the February 8, 2022 Board of Supervisors meeting, during public comment, a local historian presented documents discussing James Kirker, whom Kirker Pass Road is named after. His reputation was that of being a mercenary and leading attacks on indigenous people. In addition, there was an Op-Ed piece on James Kirker that ran in the San Francisco Chronicle on February 5, 2022. The Contra Costa County Public Works Department subsequently received a request from Contra Costa County Supervisors Karen Mitchoff and Federal Glover, to rename Kirker Pass Road, specifically that section of Kirker Pass Road within the area of the unincorporated County between the city limits of Pittsburg and Concord.
On May 17, 2022, Transportation Engineering Staff notified the cities of Pittsburg, Concord, and Clayton of the County’s intention to rename the subject roadway and requested jurisdictional concurrence with the renaming of Kirker Pass Road.
In preparation for a required Board Hearing to rename the County’s portion of Kirker Pass Road, County Transportation Engineering staff prepared cost estimates, assembled a mailing list of all parcels adjacent to Kirker Pass Road, drafted supporting documents required for the renaming, and submitted a review request to County Counsel of all pertinent documents.
The City of Pittsburg Community Advisory Commission met on August 3, 2022 and received a presentation on the renaming of Kirker Pass Road. City of Pittsburg’s Engineering staff indicated they favor renaming the roadway to Railroad Avenue, in accordance with the County’s plan.
On August 3, 2022, the City of Concord Policy Development and Internal Operations Committee met to discuss this issue. The committee determined that, without majority support from the impacted community, it would not move the process forward. The committee indicated that it would reconsider the effort if a majority of tenants and property owners impacted by a name change voiced their support. The City of Concord then informed the County of their intention to not pursue the renaming of Kirker Pass Road within their jurisdiction.
The City of Clayton has not indicated support or opposition to the potential renaming of Kirker Pass Road. Although the roadway does not pass through the City of Clayton, there are properties in the City limits that currently have Kirker Pass Road addresses. The proposed renaming effort would impact those properties due to a change of street address.
Given the City of Concord has determined that, at this time, they do not wish to move forward with this effort, and this will result in the road name remaining as Kirker Pass Road throughout the City of Concord’s jurisdiction, we ask the Board of Supervisors for direction on whether the County wishes to continue the renaming of Kirker Pass Road within the unincorporated County’s area at this time.
The County will not pursue the renaming of the County’s section of Kirker Pass Road.
Speakers: Chi Chi.
No specific name has been chosen for the relevant sections of road. The Board and Public Works concurred that the most logical would be to extend the names Railroad Avenue and Ygnacio Valley road in the appropriate sections, but will seek input from the public and cities.
Public works will continue to move forward with a name change within that area of Kirker Pass Road with the incorporated county and continue to work with the City of Pittsburg to determine if they wish to rename the portion of the road within the city.