Forget Manchaca, it's Menchaca now

A controversial name change proposed for a popular South Austin road has gotten the OK after a judge, siding with the city, tossed out a lawsuit from business owners opposing the switch.

Manchaca Road will now be Menchaca Road to reflect the proper spelling of a veteran of the Texas Revolution for whom the road is possibly named.

State District Judge Dustin Howell on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit from the Manchaca Business Association, saying he does not have jurisdiction over the case. The judge's ruling followed testimony in his Travis County court on Sept. 17.

“The city is pleased with the court’s ruling in the case," a city spokesperson said Friday. "We look forward to implementing the council’s legislative decision to rename the road.”

The group opposing the change said the city did not properly notify property owners of a public hearing ahead of the name switch. The lawsuit, which included a minor victory when Howell extended a temporary injunction in December, would have forced the city to hold a hearing that the property owners deemed proper.

The concern among Leave Manchaca Alone was over advertising expenses related to the name change.

“Leave Manchaca Alone maintains its position that if the city is going to force this costly disruption, it should do so only with irrefutable justification," the group said in a statement. "In a time where there are many more important issues to resolve — such as homelessness, infrastructure and affordability — this decision by Austin City Council is a short-sighted, unpopular and irresponsible waste of time and money."

Austin City Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria proposed the name change last year after retired District Court Judge Bob Perkins' research pointed to the road being named after José Antonio Menchaca, who fought for Texas at the Battle of San Jacinto and is believed to have camped south of Austin near what would later be called Manchaca Springs. Menchaca’s name was misspelled as Manchaca in annals from the war, and some believe that is how the street got its name.

The property owners have disputed Perkins’ findings and have proposed several alternatives, including that the street was named after a Louisiana bayou, a Choctaw word or a family that lived in the area with the surname Manchaca.

Perkins on Friday said the name change is long overdue.

"We're elated that justice for Menchaca is finally realized and elated for his family, especially those living around the Austin area," he said.

Attorney Roger Borgelt, who represented the business owners in the suit, said he was surprised by the judge saying he did not have jurisdiction in the case and will explore further legal options.