Calhoun Street could become Oscar Robertson Way under proposal from UC alum Myron Hughes

Taylor Burnette, Cincinnati Enquirer
·3 min read
A view of Calhoun Street, the dividing line between Clifton Heights and Corryville at the southern end of the University of Cincinnati campus, in early June. A committee is working to get the city to rename the street for former UC baseball star and local businessman Oscar Robertson.
A view of Calhoun Street, the dividing line between Clifton Heights and Corryville at the southern end of the University of Cincinnati campus, in early June. A committee is working to get the city to rename the street for former UC baseball star and local businessman Oscar Robertson.

The name of Calhoun Street would change to Oscar Robertson Way if a campaign led by a former University of Cincinnati basketball player turned UC executive succeeds.

Myron Hughes, the former executive director of the UC Alumni Association as well as a former vice president at the UC Foundation, suggested the change as a way to honor former UC player and NBA Hall of Fame inductee for not just his successful basketball career and his influence on the sport, but his impact on the city of Cincinnati.

Robertson was named a Great Living Cincinnatian in 2011 by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber for his success on the court, in business – and for being an advocate for organ donation. He has been vocal on social issues, unlike some current and former athletes.

There will be a community engagement meeting hosted by the city over Zoom to discuss the change and receive feedback from the public at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Calhoun Street is located on the edge of UC's campus between Vine Street and Clifton Avenue. It's the dividing line between Corryville to the north and Clifton Heights to the south.

A view of Calhoun Street, the dividing line between Clifton Heights and Corryville at the southern end of the University of Cincinnati campus, in early June. A committee is working to get the city to rename the street for former UC basketball star and local businessman Oscar Robertson.
A view of Calhoun Street, the dividing line between Clifton Heights and Corryville at the southern end of the University of Cincinnati campus, in early June. A committee is working to get the city to rename the street for former UC basketball star and local businessman Oscar Robertson.

New street name would mean Cincinnati address changes 

A new name would mean address changes for businesses and residents. Residents would need to change their addresses on multiple documents, including voter registration, banking information and employment documentation. Additional necessary changes would include driver's licenses, billing addresses and changes on subscriptions, according to the city of Cincinnati's website.

Alex Peppers, deputy director of Cincinnati's department of planning and engagement, said in an email that Hughes and a committee he is leading have talked with Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney's office about the change.

Any change would require a legal exception to city policy because Cincinnati – like most cities – doesn't allow for a primary street name to be that of a living person.

The city does grant honorary name changes to streets for living people, such as the 2021 decision to give the corner of Seventh and Vine streets the secondary name of Jean-Robert de Cavel Way to honor the pioneering chef.

All suggestions for name changes must first be approved by the city's Committee of Names, which consists of members of the city government, a member from the Cincinnati Historical Society Library of the Museum Center and two residents. To officially change the name of a street also requires approval by Cincinnati City Council, according to the city's guidelines on addressing.

For Hughes, it's all about honoring Robertson's lifetime of work.

"A lot of people like to do things posthumously," Hughes said. "But Mr. O, Mr. Robertson, is still alive."

There is a street named for Robertson in Indianapolis, where he grew up, called Oscar Robertson Boulevard. It runs in front of the former Crispus Attucks High School, a segregated school for Black students that Robertson attended – and where he set athletic records despite the building having no gym.

"His journey in terms of playing back in the late 50s, and all the things that he had to endure ... and still performing at such a high level is totally remarkable," Hughes said.

In years past, there have been calls to change the name of Calhoun Street because of concerns it was named after slavery proponent and U.S. vice president John C. Calhoun. But there is no evidence that the concerns are valid.

The street on the south border of the UC campus was called Calhoun before John C. Calhoun came into prominence, according to Kevin Grace, the former head of archives and rare books at UC.

Grace wrote The Enquirer in response to a letter, saying there was some evidence the street actually was named for a Revolutionary War pensioner named Calhoun who was allocated a parcel of land that abutted the McMillan subdivision, which formed the original land for UC. Military veterans were often given the opportunity to buy land, Grace said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Oscar Robertson Way may be the new name of Calhoun Street