Business owners, residents want road called Old Hwy. 90 again

Community group filed application to change name from Enrique M. Barrera Parkway

SAN ANTONIO – A group of residents and business owners are challenging a City Council decision that changed the name of Old Highway 90 to Enrique M. Barrera Parkway.

The group, which includes people who have lived and worked on the stretch of road for several decades, filed a community initiative request at the Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center to change the name back, saying they want to "right a wrong."

Residents said they have no problem with honoring former City Council member Enrique Barrera, but insist that the name Old highway 90 is part of their identity.

"Our business has been on the highway for 50 years," said Javier Gutierrez, owner of Del Bravo Records, which is located on the contested street. "People know us by Old Highway 90. There's a lot of confusion right now."

Residents said they hope that City Council takes the request seriously. They included with their request a check for $32,000 that would cover some street signs that have already been changed to the new name, and other city expenses.

Business owners in the area said they've already spent a lot of time away from their businesses to focus on the issue.

They say the City Council ignored their protests when the change was approved in September.

"This is the same Council that denied us and muted our voice back on Sept. 3," Gutierrez said. "We don't know what to expect. Hopefully, they have a change of heart, and they see where we're coming from and that we're serious about this issue."

KSAT did reach out to Councilman Ray Lopez's office for comment on the application but did not hear back by this story's deadline.


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