A petition to name a San Jose street after former President Barack Obama is gaining support — from some unexpected places.

The pitch to name a street after the 44th president was launched by Alex Shoor, a community advocate and consultant. Shoor said he was inspired by Obama while working on his presidential campaign in the winter of 2008. The petition has gained a little over 600 signatures so far.

Whether you agree or disagree with his politics, Shoor argues that Obama’s election made history because he was “the first person of color in United States history to become president.”

“No matter what political party you’re from, this was the first African American president,” Shoor told IA. “Now that we’re in a different time, we can look back and realize he accomplished some incredible things. We’re going through times that are dark and people are unsettled. People deserve to have something that’s positive and gives them a sense of pride.”

Though Obama has drawn the ire of the far right, some local conservatives say the Democrat deserves the honor of a street name.

“Barack Obama stayed in San Jose several times and, despite our deep and wide policy disagreements, his election was of historic significance,” said Shane Patrick Connolly, a City Hall staffer and treasurer of the Santa Clara County Republican Party. “San Jose would do well to honor him with a street naming.”

Minor street renamings in San Jose cost $2,851 and major ones are $7,895. It’s unclear who will pay for it, though Shoor said he might launch a fundraiser or ask council members for help.

The person being honored doesn’t have to be dead, according to San Jose’s street naming and renaming policy. But all affected property owners must agree to the name change.

Shoor pointed to other destinations in San Jose that are named after living politicians — the Diridon Station (named after transit advocate Rod Diridon, Sr.) and the McEnery Convention Center (named after former Mayor Tom McEnery) are two examples. As for which street should be renamed, he suggests those with similar or identical names, such as Almaden Avenue and Almaden Boulevard near downtown.

Connolly said he’s grateful the idea to honor Obama involves a street renaming — and not something else.

“With the often illogical and unhinged controversy over monuments,” he said, “I am just grateful that what was proposed was not a Barack Obama statue.”