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Kennedale council names Mansfield/Little School roundabout for Robert Mundy amid calls for broader recognition
Summary
The council unanimously approved naming the roundabout at Mansfield Cardinal Road and Little School Road for Robert Mundy and directed the Kennedale Historical Society to provide nominations for future roundabout namings after public comment urged more inclusive recognition.
The Kennedale City Council voted unanimously Jan. 21 to name the roundabout at Mansfield Cardinal Road and Little School Road in honor of Robert Mundy.
The council heard a written recommendation from the Kennedale Historical Society describing Mundy's decades of community service, including roles as mayor, council member and in the Economic Development Corporation and library groups. "We feel this is an appropriate way to honor mister Mundy for all the years, many years of community service he has done for our city," the society's letter said when read into the record.
Public commenters had asked the council to consider alternatives and broader representation. Sarah Johnson, director of new senior outreach, suggested a statue or naming another city facility and urged consideration of Sandra Lee — "the first Black council lady" in Kennedale — for public recognition. Tamiko Sargent said the city should "revamp" naming choices and consider well-known African American figures, adding, "If you guys are gonna do anything and if you wanna do anything, you gotta make a change."
Council discussion covered placement and permanence. Several members said a plaque or a display in the library or in Town Center Park would better tell a person's history than a small roundabout marker. City Manager Hall described a monument-style design similar to the town center clock for roundabout centers; he said a vendor quoted roughly $8,600 for a lit, 15-foot structure with raised letters, LED backlighting and a concrete ring for protection. Hall also told council the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has funds that could be used for city entry monuments and suggested the EDC could consider funding the item.
Council members raised technical considerations: some roundabouts are temporary and could be removed if roads are widened; private drives or new streets in Town Center Park were proposed as alternate naming opportunities that might be more durable and useful for business addresses. After discussion, Councilman Michaels moved to name the intersection for Robert Mundy; the motion passed unanimously.
Council also agreed to ask the Kennedale Historical Society to collect nominations and background information for naming other roundabouts and similar honors and to provide suggestions for appropriate forms of recognition.
