Wednesday, October 18, 2000:

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From Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, October 18, 1996

Petition shows residents favor naming street in honor of Buddy Holly

By ANGELA K. BROWN
Avalanche-Journal

Buddy Holly might have a street named for him after all.

After weeks of confusion over whether Avenue H had been permanently renamed for the rock 'n' roll pioneer from Lubbock, the official process to change the road's moniker is under way.

Chamber of Commerce officials on Thursday submitted to the city a petition with more than half the signatures of people who own property on Avenue H. About 40 of the 74 or so landowners support the new name, said Randy Henson, the city's senior planner.

Most people have wanted the street to be Buddy Holly Avenue, especially after the music festival that climaxed Sept. 7 on what would have been the singer's 60th birthday, said chamber Chairman Joe McKay.

The road was temporarily named Buddy Holly Avenue for September. City officials decided to leave in place the road signs because they anticipated the permanent change. But getting signatures to support the effort wasn't easy, said chamber President Jerry Stevens.

"Property owners were located all over the state of Texas,'' he said Thursday. "It would have been much easier if we had to get signatures from tenants. But we feel like it was a pretty good response.''

The city ordinance on changing road names requires a petition - in favor of the change - signed by at least 50 percent of those who own property adjoining the street.

The next step is a public hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Commission members then will make a recommendation, which goes to the City Council.

Another public hearing must be held at a council meeting, but members can vote that day after the hearing, Henson said. The council may consider the name change at the Dec. 12 meeting.

Chamber officials want to make it easy for companies on Avenue H to make the change, Stevens said. The organization will consider paying for related expenses, such as new stationery and business cards, he said.

"If it's going to be a real hardship, we want to deal with each case individually,'' he said. "We're in the business of helping small businesses.''

The change wouldn't be a problem for the postal service, which will deliver letters addressed to Buddy Holly Avenue or Avenue H for one year.