http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Cou...go_Street.html
By Valentino Lucio and Tracy Idell Hamilton
- Express-News
Less than two weeks after raising hackles over the proposed sale of Market Square, City Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros has stepped into another controversy involving a piece of San Antonio history — this time in the historic King William district.
The councilwoman suggested, during a board meeting of the King William Neighborhood Association last Wednesday, that it consider renaming a street “Mango Street,” after author Sandra Cisneros’ most-famous work, "The House on Mango Street."
Cisneros the author, who is no relation to Cisneros the councilwoman, lives on Guenther Street in the historic neighborhood. This year marks the 25th anniversary of her novella, and there will be nationwide celebrations of the author and her work, said Luz Day, whom the councilwoman appointed to the House on Mango Street Committee of the San Antonio Public Library.
Day joined the councilwoman at Wednesday night’s meeting and spoke of the committee’s efforts to celebrate the author, then suggested that the King William Association might also want to do something to honor the author in their midst.
According to some sources at the meeting, Cisneros suggested that Guenther Street be renamed. Others thought the councilwoman only suggested Constance Street, a small street off Guenther Street, could be renamed.
What board members agree on is that Cisneros asked board president Brad Shaw if he would consider creating a committee that would look at ideas to honor the author.
Shaw, who noted that Walter Mathis, who almost single-handedly revitalized the King William neighborhood, doesn’t have a street named after him, said he would appoint a committee.
Other board members noted that renaming a street in a historic district would be difficult, said board member Molly Shafer.
The idea to change the name of a street originated with the House on Mango Street Committee, said Tracey Bennett, executive director of the San Antonio Library Foundation.
“We were just brainstorming, throwing ideas out there,” said Bennett, who said the committee also tossed out the idea of getting an ice cream flavor named “House of Mango Street” — another idea that probably won’t fly, she noted.