Dallas Observer
Jim Schultze // February 25, 2010
Can an entire city reverse field?
From World War II until now, the beckoning horizon in Dallas has been the cool, air-conditioned neighborhoods north, where houses are new and low-slung, lawns are pool-table smooth and garage doors open by themselves.
But if North Dallas has been the city's field of dreams for decades, then 10 miles south and across the river, what do we call the clanging, potholed automercado of W. Davis Street in North Oak Cliff? The word we're never supposed to use—because it's snobbish, hurtful and has racist overtones—is slum.
But there you have it.
Is it even conceivable, then, that half a century from now, Davis Street could be the city's leading edge—its realm of cool and aspiration, the Seinfeld-land of a post-automobile urban tomorrow?
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Showing posts with label Downtown Dallas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Downtown Dallas. Show all posts
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Why Dallas's Streetcars Got the Feds' Transportation Funds, Not Fort Worth's
Dallas Observer
Robert Wilonsky // February 17, 2010
As mentioned below, the North Central Texas Council of Governments is indeed "seeking clarification" from the U.S. Department of Transportation concerning today's announcement that Dallas is getting $23 million to fund the downtown streetcar project. NCTCOG wants to know if Fort Worth is supposed to be getting a piece of that pie -- since, after all, NCTCOG made the request on behalf of both cities in its $96 million joint grant application.
Michael Morris is supposed to respond upon his return to the office, but Cathy St. Denis at the USDOT finally responded to Unfair Park's request for a clarification. In short, she says, "Fort Worth is not a part of this. The money is just for Dallas." And why's that?
"The typical awardee averaged about one-third of their request," St. Denis says. "So we couldn't completely fund the Dallas-Fort Worth streetcar project at the requested level. And, we were impressed by how well Dallas had lined up its local match and the other requirements necessary to get the project under way."
Michael Morris is supposed to respond upon his return to the office, but Cathy St. Denis at the USDOT finally responded to Unfair Park's request for a clarification. In short, she says, "Fort Worth is not a part of this. The money is just for Dallas." And why's that?
"The typical awardee averaged about one-third of their request," St. Denis says. "So we couldn't completely fund the Dallas-Fort Worth streetcar project at the requested level. And, we were impressed by how well Dallas had lined up its local match and the other requirements necessary to get the project under way."
Dallas CM Linda Koop shares thoughts on street car grant
Dallas Morning News
Rudolph Bush // February 17, 2010
Dallas council member Linda Koop, a key transportation advocate in North Texas, said she was "delightfully surprised" the city won a piece of the highly competitive TIGER grants.
The grant of $23 million was a little less than half the $48 million Dallas sought for its street cars, but it will go a long way toward helping plan construction of the city's first street car circulator.
Southwestern Medical District Area Plan
Dallas ObserverRobert Wilonsky // February 15, 2010
Actually, it's the "Stemmons Corridor-Southwest Medical District Plan," which has been simmering since 2008 as officials from UT Southwestern, Love Field, Crow Holdings, Parkland and so forth worked with area residents to hash out the (transit-oriented) development details. Nothing's final yet -- that's a few months-plus off -- but tomorrow, the council's Economic Development Committee will be briefed on what's what thus far. In short, the city wants to turn Stemmons into the "signature gateway corridor into Central Dallas" while transforming the rest of the area into some mixed-use combination of Victory Park and the West Village, if I read my briefings right.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Update on Urban Projects Around the Trinity River
Dallas Morning News
Rudolph Bush // February 8, 2010
Rudolph Bush // February 8, 2010
Here they are in a nutshell.
West Dallas Plan - Brent Brown's CityDesign Studio has largely completed a development plan for West Dallas aimed at reawakening forgotten parts of the city while preserving important neighborhoods like La Bajada.
Continental Bridge - The design process for the pedestrian transformation is just underway, architect Don Raines said.
Texas Horse Park - Almost all of the land for the 500-acre Horse Park near the Trinity River Audubon Center has been acquired.
Trinity River Audubon Center - Open for some 18 months, the center is one of the biggest attractions related to the Trinity. 50,000 people have been through the doors but efforts are aimed toward bringing in many more.
Dallas Downtown Plan - Paved with Good Intentions?
Dallas Observer
Robert Willonsky // January 21, 2010
The real issue that plagues real downtown redevelopment: "the inner ring highway loop."
"The city of districts is alive and well in Dallas," and insisted Downtown Dallas 360 would be about connecting those districts into one "seamless" city. How? Transit-oriented developments, of course, as evidenced by its 179-page presentation on the subject.
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Robert Willonsky // January 21, 2010
The real issue that plagues real downtown redevelopment: "the inner ring highway loop."
"The city of districts is alive and well in Dallas," and insisted Downtown Dallas 360 would be about connecting those districts into one "seamless" city. How? Transit-oriented developments, of course, as evidenced by its 179-page presentation on the subject.
MORE
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Dallas May Get Subway Downtown
WiredPRNews.com
February 2, 2010
Dallas city planners are considering plans for further developments in the area that may include a subway station downtown. As reported by NBC DFW News, the subway plans of Dallas Area Rapid Transit are being considered as a possible means to relieve congestion in the downtown area.
MORE
February 2, 2010
Dallas city planners are considering plans for further developments in the area that may include a subway station downtown. As reported by NBC DFW News, the subway plans of Dallas Area Rapid Transit are being considered as a possible means to relieve congestion in the downtown area.
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Downtown Dallas Plan Hinges on Public Space & Transportation
Dallas Morning News
Rudolph Bush // February 1, 2010
Theresa O'Donnell, director of Dallas' development department, said there's also focus on really capitalizing on Union Station, which she said could be a catalyst project for redevelopment.
The trick will be developing around rail stations and building up public spaces and public amenities or 'animating the public realm.'
The transportation element is major. DART's new lines are expected to work in concert with an as yet unfunded streetcar system.
In the long run, the most important transportation element, though, will be feet and how downtown accommodates them.
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Rudolph Bush // February 1, 2010
Theresa O'Donnell, director of Dallas' development department, said there's also focus on really capitalizing on Union Station, which she said could be a catalyst project for redevelopment.
The trick will be developing around rail stations and building up public spaces and public amenities or 'animating the public realm.'
The transportation element is major. DART's new lines are expected to work in concert with an as yet unfunded streetcar system.
In the long run, the most important transportation element, though, will be feet and how downtown accommodates them.
MORE
New EPA rules may aid proposed transit projects
Fort Worth Business Press
Leslie Wimmer // January 25, 2010
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed lowering of ozone emission standards may put a stronger focus on North Texas transportation projects as a way to improve air quality across the region.
Area transportation officials expect the EPA’s proposal to focus attention on speeding up transportation efforts, including highway expansion and public transportation projects, as a way to keep traffic moving and to help meet the proposed new, lower ozone standard.
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Leslie Wimmer // January 25, 2010
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed lowering of ozone emission standards may put a stronger focus on North Texas transportation projects as a way to improve air quality across the region.
Area transportation officials expect the EPA’s proposal to focus attention on speeding up transportation efforts, including highway expansion and public transportation projects, as a way to keep traffic moving and to help meet the proposed new, lower ozone standard.
MORE
Monday, January 25, 2010
DART to Dallas: Help Fund Rail by Convention Center Hotel
Dallas Morning News
Micheal A. Lindenberger // January 18, 2010
If the Dallas City Council wants the new downtown rail line to run by the convention center hotel, it might have to help Dallas Area Rapid Transit pay for the $824 million project, DART leaders say.
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Micheal A. Lindenberger // January 18, 2010
If the Dallas City Council wants the new downtown rail line to run by the convention center hotel, it might have to help Dallas Area Rapid Transit pay for the $824 million project, DART leaders say.
MORE
Cultural Explosion in Dallas
The Texas Observer
Michael May // January 8, 2010
As I approached the heart of the arts district, a few signs of life appeared. A couple paused by a fountain. A group of bikers in spandex flew past like a flock of rare birds. The new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House rose from behind the fountain, with a soaring glass façade and glossy red dome, and across the street stood the new shimmering, metallic Dee and Charles Wyly Theater. By the front door was the person I’d come to meet, Mark Nerenhausen, the president of the AT&T Performing Arts Center. He giddily pointed out the few folks strolling around the plaza. “You know, usually Performing Arts Centers are set apart,” he said. “You walk by them. But to walk through them is pretty cool.”
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Michael May // January 8, 2010
As I approached the heart of the arts district, a few signs of life appeared. A couple paused by a fountain. A group of bikers in spandex flew past like a flock of rare birds. The new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House rose from behind the fountain, with a soaring glass façade and glossy red dome, and across the street stood the new shimmering, metallic Dee and Charles Wyly Theater. By the front door was the person I’d come to meet, Mark Nerenhausen, the president of the AT&T Performing Arts Center. He giddily pointed out the few folks strolling around the plaza. “You know, usually Performing Arts Centers are set apart,” he said. “You walk by them. But to walk through them is pretty cool.”
MORE
Sunday, January 10, 2010
10 things to watch in Dallas for 2010
Pegasus News
Shawn Williams of Dallas South News // January 4, 2010
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge
Dallas Black Dance Theatre at Wyly Theatre
Continued Main Street resurgence
511 Akard
Victory Park
Empty Southern Dallas promises
Oak Cliff streetcars
MORE
Shawn Williams of Dallas South News // January 4, 2010
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge
Dallas Black Dance Theatre at Wyly Theatre
Continued Main Street resurgence
511 Akard
Victory Park
Empty Southern Dallas promises
Oak Cliff streetcars
MORE
Spire Realty adds to its land holdings near the Arts District
Dallas Morning News
Steve Brown // January 4, 2010
Investor Spire Realty Group has bought almost two acres of land in downtown Dallas near the Arts District.
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Steve Brown // January 4, 2010
Investor Spire Realty Group has bought almost two acres of land in downtown Dallas near the Arts District.
MORE
Mayor Speaks on Dallas' Strong Foundation of Can Do Spirit
Dallas Morning News Op-Ed
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert // December 31, 2009
The coming of a new year and moving into a new decade provides an opportunity to reflect on where we have been and what lies ahead. In the face of this economy, Dallas has moved forward like no other city, and we have laid the foundation for even more progress in the decade ahead. The "can-do spirit," that belief in tomorrow, is again alive in Dallas. In fact, I believe at the next decade change, in 2020, people here will look back on this period as a historic point in our city's timeline that reshaped our image in a positive way, putting Big D on a world stage.
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert // December 31, 2009
The coming of a new year and moving into a new decade provides an opportunity to reflect on where we have been and what lies ahead. In the face of this economy, Dallas has moved forward like no other city, and we have laid the foundation for even more progress in the decade ahead. The "can-do spirit," that belief in tomorrow, is again alive in Dallas. In fact, I believe at the next decade change, in 2020, people here will look back on this period as a historic point in our city's timeline that reshaped our image in a positive way, putting Big D on a world stage.
Through actions like comprehensive green building standards and the purchase of renewable energy, we are now recognized nationally as one of the leaders in addressing environmental challenges.
We'll also look back on this period as the time when downtown Dallas finally turned a corner. We welcomed AT&T, Tenet and more than 50 other companies into the city core, and major firms like Oncor and Deloitte renewed their commitments to downtown. Thousands of residents also chose downtown as home.
And we provided compassionate support for the homeless at the Bridge and, in doing so, enhanced the investments we have made in downtown.
Through strategic investments and the commitment of this community, we have built a foundation that will ensure a strong, vibrant economy in the future. And this was the time we invested in our future with the Dallas Convention Center hotel.
I also believe we'll look back at this period as the launch of southern Dallas investment – a time when businesses, developers and investors saw the future in this part of the city. In the last few years, the foundation has been laid for more investment in this area than at any time in the past. DART light rail, the Inland Port, UNT-Dallas and other investments in the southern half of the city have created the impetus for a new economic engine to benefit the entire region.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Cliche that Downtown Dallas is Dead Needs to Die
Dallas Morning News
Rudolph Bush // December 23, 2009
Back in the 90s, when I was in college here, it was just a fact that downtown was shutdown after dark.
Passing Central from Deep Ellum was like coming into another world.
As plan commissioner Michael Davis points out on his blog today, some people are still holding on to that idea of downtown.
But it really doesn't reflect the changes in downtown that you can almost watch week to week, particularly along Main Street.
As Davis writes today: Even on a Tuesday night, several places were popping. I went to PM Lounge in the basement of the Joule for a party. At 9pm, it was already full. People were lounging on the patio of Charlie Palmer. A few student-aged kids were walking around taking pictures and surveying the scene.
Rudolph Bush // December 23, 2009
Back in the 90s, when I was in college here, it was just a fact that downtown was shutdown after dark.
Passing Central from Deep Ellum was like coming into another world.
As plan commissioner Michael Davis points out on his blog today, some people are still holding on to that idea of downtown.
But it really doesn't reflect the changes in downtown that you can almost watch week to week, particularly along Main Street.
As Davis writes today: Even on a Tuesday night, several places were popping. I went to PM Lounge in the basement of the Joule for a party. At 9pm, it was already full. People were lounging on the patio of Charlie Palmer. A few student-aged kids were walking around taking pictures and surveying the scene.
Streetcar struggle between downtown and Oak Cliff won't go away anytime soon
Dallas Morning News
Rudolph Bush // November 27, 2009
Rudolph Bush // November 27, 2009
Today, Michael Lindenberger and Roy Appleton report today on the ongoing effort to build a a starter streetcar system in Dallas (sorry McKinney Avenue trolley, we're not counting you in this).
They write: The initial focus has been on a downtown loop that planners want as a complement to a second downtown light-rail line that is expected to open in 2016. But Oak Cliff leaders are urging City Hall to explore beginning with a loop that would connect downtown Dallas and Oak Cliff, where they say a trolley line would have a bigger impact on economic development.
As I understand it, the only way the council will consider shifting an initial line to include Oak Cliff is if Dallas gets approval of federal funding grants that include an Oak Cliff line.
If the city isn't lucky enough to win those grants (and they are very competitive), then City Hall will move forward on a plan to build the downtown line with a variety of local funds, including tax increment and public improvement dollars from properties along the planned downtown streetcar loop.
Promise Takes Root in Dallas' Newest Park
Planetizen
ALek Miller // November 21, 2009
He recalled the city's loss of Boeing's headquarters to Chicago in 2001 as a major turning point.
It was a wake-up call for a lot of things,' he said.
The quality of life, particularly cultural life, in downtown Dallas couldn't compare to Chicago. And the city's business benefits in terms of lower cost of living and cheaper workforce didn't close the gap.
Since the loss of Boeing, Dallas has made a lot of progress, most notably in the arts district.
Now, with the opening of the Main Street Garden, the parks piece is falling into place. Main Street Garden's opening will be followed with Belo Garden in 2011, the Woodall Rodgers Deck Park in 2012, and the still unfunded Pacific Plaza at a date uncertain."
ALek Miller // November 21, 2009
A new multiuse park in Dallas, the first of four of its kind, is giving the downtown community a reason to celebrate.
"Tom Baker, chairman of the city's Park and Recreation Board, said that, ironically enough, it was economic interests that committed people to building new downtown parks.
It was a wake-up call for a lot of things,' he said.
The quality of life, particularly cultural life, in downtown Dallas couldn't compare to Chicago. And the city's business benefits in terms of lower cost of living and cheaper workforce didn't close the gap.
Since the loss of Boeing, Dallas has made a lot of progress, most notably in the arts district.
Now, with the opening of the Main Street Garden, the parks piece is falling into place. Main Street Garden's opening will be followed with Belo Garden in 2011, the Woodall Rodgers Deck Park in 2012, and the still unfunded Pacific Plaza at a date uncertain."
It's Possible to Live Without a Car
DFW CBS 11
Ginger Allen // November 20, 2009
If someone took your car away today, how would your life change? You're about to meet a woman who gave up her car, moved to Downtown Dallas, and completely changed her daily routine. She proves that it may not be as hard as you think.
Wendy Loven's boots are getting a lot of use these days. That's because two years ago, the Euless resident decided to give up her suburban lifestyle to fulfill a life-long dream.
"It's always been a dream of mine to live downtown ever since I was a little girl," she said.
Now that she's living downtown, she decided to take the life-changing decision a step further by giving up her car.
MORE
Ginger Allen // November 20, 2009
If someone took your car away today, how would your life change? You're about to meet a woman who gave up her car, moved to Downtown Dallas, and completely changed her daily routine. She proves that it may not be as hard as you think.
Wendy Loven's boots are getting a lot of use these days. That's because two years ago, the Euless resident decided to give up her suburban lifestyle to fulfill a life-long dream.
"It's always been a dream of mine to live downtown ever since I was a little girl," she said.
Now that she's living downtown, she decided to take the life-changing decision a step further by giving up her car.
MORE
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