ACC Trustees approve Highland street names

Names commemorate community and college leaders

Highland MapThe Austin Community College District Board of Trustees approved the final street names for the Highland Redevelopment Plan at its regular meeting, Monday, June 1. The names pay tribute to the Highland area and the college.

“We want this project to reflect the rich history of Highland and of ACC,” says Dr. Vic Villarreal, ACC Board of Trustees chair. “This is a unique opportunity for us to honor those individuals who played pivotal roles as we work to revitalize and re-invent the Highland community.”

“We want this project to reflect the rich history of Highland and of ACC.”

The approved street names include:

  • Jacob Fontaine Lane: Jacob Fontaine was a significant leader among African Americans in Austin, Fontaine served as the first moderator of the St. John Baptist Association, which purchased the land that now encompasses Highland. Fontaine is credited for the early work that led to the development of the Highland area.
  • Will Davis Drive: Will D. Davis served as a founding member of the ACC Board of Trustees.
  • Wilhelmina Delco Drive: Wilhelmina Delco served as a founding member of the ACC Board of Trustees.
  • Hage Drive: M.K. Hage Jr. served as a founding member of the ACC Board of Trustees and was elected twice as president of the board.
  • Stephen Kinslow Way: Stephen B. Kinslow was ACC’s seventh president, overseeing the incremental purchase of the Highland Mall property.
  • Thomas Hatfield Way: Thomas Hatfield served as the first president of ACC.
  • Highland Campus Drive: Named in recognition of the new ACC campus.

Trustees also approved the name for new green space within the Highland Redevelopment Project. The St. John’s Encampment Commons will serve as a public area and will include a permanent marker describing the history of the Highland community.

“I am more than pleased. I’m excited. This is a moment to rejoice,” says Rev. G.V. Clark, moderator of the St. John’s Association. “This land was initially purchased for educational purposes. Over the years we lost that mission, but we’re coming full-circle. Highland will once again serve our community the way it was meant to so many years ago.”

The green space stretches across approximately 2.6 acres between Hage Drive and Wilhelmina Delco Drive along the east side of the development.

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