After a couple of initial missteps followed by the creation of a broader, community-based process last September, Kyle city officials have decided to move forward on an official new name for what was formerly called Rebel Drive and has temporarily been referred to unofficially as RM 150.

Vanessa Westbrook, a chair of the 15-member W. Ranch to Market Road 150 Naming Committee, told City Council the group selected Veterans Drive out of 72 suggested names.

Westbrook presented the selection to council during the Feb. 2 meeting. After her committee met seven times from Oct. 21-Jan. 6, Westbrook said Veterans Drive garnered the most votes and edged out the other two names that ended up in the top three—Albert Taylor Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

“These three names were very tough on us [to decide on],” Westbrook said.

Albert Taylor Street was suggested based on the legacy of a prominent African American businessman in the early 1900s, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard represents the unification the Kyle community is trying to focus on moving forward, Westbrook said.

City Council voted to have an ordinance brought back before the body at an upcoming meeting to change RM 150 to Veterans Drive.

The renaming effort has proven a lengthy journey for city leaders. After plans to rename Rebel Drive in Kyle to Fajita Drive failed to garner support from residents, City Council took a different track in the process to change what many considered a controversial road name.

Council voted Sept. 1 to create the renaming committee, and during a separate agenda item voted to remove the name Rebel Drive from the stretch of road also called FM 150.

During her Feb. 2 presentation, Westbrook recommended council retain the names Albert Taylor Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in case other streets in Kyle need to be renamed.