WFAA-TV

Industrial Boulevard may soon give the wrong impression of the area.

With the Trinity Toll Road vote out of the way, the Dallas City Council is thinking of a big change to another important street along the river.

For decades, Industrial Boulevard has been accurately named because it runs through an industrial area.

There are truck shops, warehouses, light manufacturing and liquor stores.

But some think the name isn't the future.

What's in a name?

Everything to boosters of the Trinity River project.

Industrial Boulevard that runs parallel to the river levee just isn't attractive enough.

"We want housing, offices, retail and industrial really doesn't put that picture in your mind," said Craig Holcomb from the Trinity Commons Foundation.

The city envisions future development along the downtown side of the river with high rise condos, shops and restaurants some day.

One developer already filed for a zoning change.

So, although "industrial" accurately describes the truck shops, liquor stores and other businesses on the street now, a city council committee next Tuesday will start considering an updated name.

At the Riverside Grill, owner Susan Murphy thought of a new name as hot as the chicken on the griddle.

"I'd love for it to be "riverside." That's just more advertising for me, so that would work," she said.

Other business owners offered waterfront, riverfront. One suggested JFK Boulevard.

If the city council changes the name, it must also decide whether to limit it to where Industrial turns into Irving Boulevard or rename Irving, too.

North Star Antiques sits right at the split.

Manager John Petty wonders how confusing a name switch might be.

"I think in the short term, maybe it might be hard for people to find their way around down here. This is known as the industrial area," he said.

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com.