Rep. Coleman seeks name change for Dowling Street

HOUSTON – Some local community leaders are speaking out about what they think needs to be done to get rid of anything that could be seen as honoring leaders of the Confederacy.

State Rep. Garnet Coleman wants the name of Dowling Street, the busy thoroughfare running through the Third Ward, to change.

"What I'm trying to do is change the name of Dick Dowling Street to Emancipation Avenue," Coleman said. "The reason is, here's a man who fought to maintain slavery and is just inappropriate for the street that's by the park built by and paid for by black people. It's just not appropriate for it to be the name of the street."

Dowling was considered to not only be a key lieutenant in the Confederacy but a prominent businessman in Houston.

He created a chain of successful saloons in town.

Coleman he already has the wheels in motion to change the name for good.
"I talked to the mayor, I had breakfast (with her) on Monday and she is favorable to a name that is not a person and I would like to go see the council members," he said.