The Houston City Council voted to change the name of Dowling Street to Emancipation Avenue. The street located in Houston’s Historic Third Ward was first named to honor Dick Dowling, a Confederate officer. However, with the history of the area being historically an African American neighborhood and the street running along side of Texas’ first public park that was purchased by freed slaves in 1872, it was thought that the street name should match the area. State Rep. Garnet Coleman started the effort to rename the street a year ago and today he sees the results of his work. The renaming of Emancipation Avenue will be part of the celebration of the renovation of Emancipation Park.