Name That Street: Boellner Street Residents Want New Name

What’s in a name?

What’s the difference between John or Jason? Jefferson Street or Olive Street?

That’s the question that many residents along Boellner Drive (pronounced boner), which sits not far from Pershall Road, have to ask and dispute.

During a June Hazelwood City Council meeting, Joe Holt approached the council with the possibility of changing Boellner to Awesome Street, which met some hesitant councilors.

Ward 4 Councilman Mike Conley said changing a street name requires a lot of work, and he would like to see 100 percent of residents on the street supporting such a measure.

Holt said of the approximate 80 residents on his street, he had collected 80 percent of signatures who had interest in changing the name of the street.

Ward 2 Councilman Robert Aubuchon pointed out that Boellner is a family name from Hazelwood, which is how a number of streets in the city are named, and it could have historical significance.

Holt pointed out that the he and his neighbors would like to enjoy their neighborhood, and the name of Boellner doesn’t seem to fit. He said that this is a way for the neighborhood to take pride in their community, and the name of Awesome Street would do that for them.

He further pointed out that a number of surrounding streets relate to horse-related themes, such as Bridlespur, Trotterwood and so forth.

Ward 3 Councilman Don Ryan said he thinks that the street name change petition could create a snowball effect.

“I think it’s a tremendous quagmire,” he said.

The City of Hazelwood currently does not have a process or procedure for changing a street name for those residents who might consider it down the line.

St. Louis County has a procedure set for changing a street name that involves a petition signed by all who live on or abutting the affected street, filing fees, signage change fees as well as presenting the name change to St. Louis County Council for approval.

Councilman Aubuchon suggested that a good compromise might be to give the street an honorary name, but Holt doesn’t see it that way.

“I think a fair compromise would be to allow residents to vote and pass these things with a simple majority,” he said.

Holt said he wasn’t sure what other residents would think of an honorary name, but it would not stop them from attempting to change the name..

Although the council has not yet favored the name change of Boellner, it did agree to one thing -- establishing procedures for the future.

City Manager Edwin Carlstrom presented his survey findings during the July 3 meeting and said that in most cases everyone requires 100 percent support from residents on the street.

Councilors placed the street name procedure on its Aug. 14 work session agenda for further discussion.

Holt said that if the council approves procedures that include a 100 percent neighborhood support measure, then he would work on the 20 percent and possibly get surrounding areas involved in the quest for a name change.