GarrettCarey
03 June 2002, 10:51 AM
Go Dallas: Stronger city vision, park donations needed
06/02/2002
In 1910, a man named George Kessler came to town and changed the face of Dallas.
Mr. Kessler, a famed urban planner from Kansas City, had a vision for Dallas and the civic support to make certain many of his ideas would be implemented. A redesigned downtown, White Rock Lake, Central Expressway, the Trinity levee system, Union Station and Loop 12 were just a few of his proposals that came to life during the 20th century.
More than 90 years later, Dallas still needs visionary planning. Years of rapid growth followed by periods of economic decline have taken their toll.
In good financial times, Dallas can appear at times to be like a casino gambler, placing bets and rolling the dice on development projects that have only a limited chance of succeeding.
When the economy goes into a downturn, City Hall too often acts like a turtle retreating into its shell. Street repairs are delayed, grass is allowed to grow higher in parks, partnerships from the private sector are snubbed by overly cautious council members.
The lessons learned by Dallas nearly a century ago when it was attempting to spread its wings and become a major metropolitan city remain just as valid in the 21st century.
In good times and bad, the city must have visionary goals and the leadership and means for accomplishing them. The long-range path for Dallas must not be dictated by the city's changing short-term fortunes.
Nowhere is the need for strong vision more apparent than in the areas of urban planning and development of Dallas' park system.
In the 1960s, the late Mayor Erik Jonsson pushed for the city to have a highly regarded urban design official, who could move Dallas to the forefront of well planned communities. As director of urban planning, Weiming Lu found innovative ways to spur economic development by preserving the city's past.
But Dallas City Hall has been far less creative or visionary in its approaches to planning since then.
The same can be said for the Dallas park system, where a department that once enjoyed near autonomy to pursue long-term goals has been hamstrung by budget constraints.
PLANNING LEADERSHIP: Dallas should bring in an urban design specialist who can take the city beyond the daily grind of zoning cases and present a larger picture of the future.
Boston architect Antonio Di Mambro, who authored the Global City report that appeared in The Dallas Morning News last year, said Dallas suffers from a piecemeal planning approach. "Dallas would be well advised to have a strong person to lead them in the area of urban design," Mr. Di Mambro said. "In downtown, for example, you don't have a strong sense of place. The negative impact of the demolition of many low- and mid-rise buildings and the lack of appropriate landscaping have caused the city's image to suffer."
Mr. Di Mambro said Boston has chosen a new city planner who has had a strong hand in transforming the city. Other metropolitan areas have retained urban design specialists as consultants. Either way, Dallas should give the individual the power to make clear recommendations and the ability to collaborate with other departments to make things happen.
The revitalization of downtown Dallas, the new development spurred by the Trinity improvements plan and economic development in southern Dallas all will require solid urban design work to bring the right results.
Nearly a decade ago, the creation of the Dallas Plan showed that this city still can benefit from looking into the future. The Dallas Plan established a long-range blueprint for the city that would benefit from the powerful influence of an urban designer at City Hall.
PARK LEADERSHIP: The Dallas Parks Department also is in need of additional leadership and greater outside support to rekindle the bold vision it once had and rebuild the reputation it once enjoyed.
Parks Director Paul Dyer has been an able administrator as his department traversed the rocky path of budget cuts. But even Mr. Dyer has said he would welcome support and recommendations from those who want the park system to reach beyond its traditional assignments.
A $1 million master plan recently was completed for the Dallas parks. The plan will require years to implement and at least $100 million to finance.
But the plan can achieve only so much if the goals for the Dallas park system are not tied into an overall vision for the city. Projects such as a dynamic park in the heart of downtown may not be the primary interest of a homeowner in far North Dallas. But they address the future economic health of Dallas.
Many cities with successful park programs have strong foundations that assist in financing and developing important projects. The San Diego Parks Foundation has long played a pivotal role in making that city's park system one of the best in the nation.
The master plan will make it easier for Dallas to apply for state and federal grants to expand its park system. But a private foundation that can channel funds into the city parks could help take the Parks Department where it needs to be.
Lois Finkelman, a City Council member and former park board president, said the tight budget has forced the Parks Department "to fly by the seat of its pants" for years. "There was a time when our park department was recognized as one of the top departments in the country. Look what they were doing 10 or 15 years ago and look at what they are not able to do today. They have not had the resources to maintain the system at the level that everybody would want."
These leadership issues for planning and park development could be politically controversial. Change does not come easily for a municipal government the size of Dallas.
But this city proved more than 90 years ago that bold vision and a willingness to pursue innovative ideas are absolutely necessary to grow and thrive.
06/02/2002
In 1910, a man named George Kessler came to town and changed the face of Dallas.
Mr. Kessler, a famed urban planner from Kansas City, had a vision for Dallas and the civic support to make certain many of his ideas would be implemented. A redesigned downtown, White Rock Lake, Central Expressway, the Trinity levee system, Union Station and Loop 12 were just a few of his proposals that came to life during the 20th century.
More than 90 years later, Dallas still needs visionary planning. Years of rapid growth followed by periods of economic decline have taken their toll.
In good financial times, Dallas can appear at times to be like a casino gambler, placing bets and rolling the dice on development projects that have only a limited chance of succeeding.
When the economy goes into a downturn, City Hall too often acts like a turtle retreating into its shell. Street repairs are delayed, grass is allowed to grow higher in parks, partnerships from the private sector are snubbed by overly cautious council members.
The lessons learned by Dallas nearly a century ago when it was attempting to spread its wings and become a major metropolitan city remain just as valid in the 21st century.
In good times and bad, the city must have visionary goals and the leadership and means for accomplishing them. The long-range path for Dallas must not be dictated by the city's changing short-term fortunes.
Nowhere is the need for strong vision more apparent than in the areas of urban planning and development of Dallas' park system.
In the 1960s, the late Mayor Erik Jonsson pushed for the city to have a highly regarded urban design official, who could move Dallas to the forefront of well planned communities. As director of urban planning, Weiming Lu found innovative ways to spur economic development by preserving the city's past.
But Dallas City Hall has been far less creative or visionary in its approaches to planning since then.
The same can be said for the Dallas park system, where a department that once enjoyed near autonomy to pursue long-term goals has been hamstrung by budget constraints.
PLANNING LEADERSHIP: Dallas should bring in an urban design specialist who can take the city beyond the daily grind of zoning cases and present a larger picture of the future.
Boston architect Antonio Di Mambro, who authored the Global City report that appeared in The Dallas Morning News last year, said Dallas suffers from a piecemeal planning approach. "Dallas would be well advised to have a strong person to lead them in the area of urban design," Mr. Di Mambro said. "In downtown, for example, you don't have a strong sense of place. The negative impact of the demolition of many low- and mid-rise buildings and the lack of appropriate landscaping have caused the city's image to suffer."
Mr. Di Mambro said Boston has chosen a new city planner who has had a strong hand in transforming the city. Other metropolitan areas have retained urban design specialists as consultants. Either way, Dallas should give the individual the power to make clear recommendations and the ability to collaborate with other departments to make things happen.
The revitalization of downtown Dallas, the new development spurred by the Trinity improvements plan and economic development in southern Dallas all will require solid urban design work to bring the right results.
Nearly a decade ago, the creation of the Dallas Plan showed that this city still can benefit from looking into the future. The Dallas Plan established a long-range blueprint for the city that would benefit from the powerful influence of an urban designer at City Hall.
PARK LEADERSHIP: The Dallas Parks Department also is in need of additional leadership and greater outside support to rekindle the bold vision it once had and rebuild the reputation it once enjoyed.
Parks Director Paul Dyer has been an able administrator as his department traversed the rocky path of budget cuts. But even Mr. Dyer has said he would welcome support and recommendations from those who want the park system to reach beyond its traditional assignments.
A $1 million master plan recently was completed for the Dallas parks. The plan will require years to implement and at least $100 million to finance.
But the plan can achieve only so much if the goals for the Dallas park system are not tied into an overall vision for the city. Projects such as a dynamic park in the heart of downtown may not be the primary interest of a homeowner in far North Dallas. But they address the future economic health of Dallas.
Many cities with successful park programs have strong foundations that assist in financing and developing important projects. The San Diego Parks Foundation has long played a pivotal role in making that city's park system one of the best in the nation.
The master plan will make it easier for Dallas to apply for state and federal grants to expand its park system. But a private foundation that can channel funds into the city parks could help take the Parks Department where it needs to be.
Lois Finkelman, a City Council member and former park board president, said the tight budget has forced the Parks Department "to fly by the seat of its pants" for years. "There was a time when our park department was recognized as one of the top departments in the country. Look what they were doing 10 or 15 years ago and look at what they are not able to do today. They have not had the resources to maintain the system at the level that everybody would want."
These leadership issues for planning and park development could be politically controversial. Change does not come easily for a municipal government the size of Dallas.
But this city proved more than 90 years ago that bold vision and a willingness to pursue innovative ideas are absolutely necessary to grow and thrive.