Group will sue in effort to stop renaming of Manchaca Road

A group of South Austin property owners intends to file a lawsuit Tuesday to prevent the renaming of Manchaca Road to Menchaca Road.

Nine plaintiffs who all own property along the street will file a claim that states they were never contacted about the name change. They hope to obtain an injunction regarding the change, which is set to become official Thursday. Attorney Roger B. Borgelt said he represents the group of plaintiffs, who are calling themselves "Leave Manchaca Alone."

"All are property owners in the city of Austin on Manchaca Road that did not receive notice of this, and we think there are others," Borgelt said Monday.

Borgelt would not name the plaintiffs, but said they will be identified when they file the suit in a Travis County district court on Tuesday. The group also will have a news conference at 1 p.m. Tuesday at The Manchac business park, 10420 Manchaca Rd., according to a news release.

The Austin City Council voted to rename the street on Oct. 4. Council Member Sabino "Pio" Renteria spearheaded the change, based on the idea that the namesake for Manchaca Road is José Antonio Menchaca, who fought for the Texian Army at the battle of San Jacinto and is believed to have camped south of Austin near what would later be called Manchaca Springs.

Many, including the Leave Manchaca Alone group, challenge the idea that the road was named after Menchaca. Others believe Manchaca refers to a Choctaw word or a Louisiana bayou of the same name. In any case, the major motivation behind filing the suit stems from the costs that changing the road's name would have on those living or working along the street.

"This proposed change will financially disrupt the small businesses and homeowners along Manchaca Road, costing unnecessary expenditures updating government documents, signage, business related documents and materials, and many other modifications costing thousands of dollars to everyone affected," a statement from Leave Manchaca Alone said.

Renteria did not immediately return a message seeking comment.