Falcon Heights considering naming section of Larpenteur Ave. after Philando Castile

The city of Falcon Heights is taking community input on naming a portion of Larpenteur Avenue in honor of Philando Castile.

Two years ago, the Philando Castile Relief Foundation created a petition calling for an honorary street name at Larpenteur Avenue and Fry Street — the intersection where Castile was shot and killed by a St. Anthony police officer during a traffic stop on July 6, 2016. The petition reached 20,000 signatures last summer.

"After the death of Philando many community members poured out their love and support by creating a memorial space on (Larpenteur) for Philando," the petition states. "… Philando was a humanitarian who loved his community, he worked for the Saint Paul school district for over 11 years, he served lunch to over 500 students who he loved and adored."

The petition was brought to the Falcon Heights City Council during a workshop on Dec. 16, and the council is now weighing public support for adding an honorary name to the 1.3-mile stretch of Larpenteur between Fulham and Fry streets through an online survey, which will be open through Jan. 27.