A move is afoot to lock in a lasting name — perhaps with “Kingston” in it — for the unnamed, flood-hit commercial area directly across the Cedar River from downtown even as leaders are clamoring for the creation of more housing nearby.

Local developer Fred Timko is set to help with both.

Timko said the district across from downtown needs a defining name just like the Czech Village and New Bohemia areas close to downtown do.

Cedar Rapids historian Mark Stoffer Hunter  told the committee that the spot had been the town of Kingston, which started in 1852 and had about 400 people before it was annexed into Cedar Rapids in early 1871. The name came from local pioneer David King, he said.

Timko said he and his partners had come up with the name “West Village” as one possibility for a name as they set out to buy the Wells Fargo Bank property — the deed description is Kingston Lot 1 — and to plan a residential condominium project next to it. Cedar Rapids City Council members Ann Poe and Monica Vernon also have talked about a West Village name, while council member Don Karr has pushed the Kingston name.

Which do you prefer? Or do you prefer another name?