HOUSTON – The Houston City Council will vote on the renaming of Dowling Street to Emancipation Avenue next week.
The Third Ward thoroughfare runs from Prairie Street at BBVA Compass Stadium to Elgin Street at Emancipation Park.
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The street was named after Lt. Dick Dowling, a prominent military leader in the Confederacy. He also owned a chain of saloons in Houston.
State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, began a campaign more than a year ago to rename the street, saying it was inappropriate for the street to be named after someone who fought to maintain slavery.
On Wednesday, the council tagged the measure for a vote next week.
Coleman said the plan is to have the street renamed to coincide with the reopening of the renovated Emancipation Park during the Juneteenth celebration, in mid-June.