The Gateway into Oak Lawn

[gc]

Oak Lawn to put out welcome mat
Planners see 'gateway' as a way to celebrate area's history, diversity
12:42 PM CST on Saturday, November 15, 2003
By FRANK TREJO / The Dallas Morning News
http://www.dallasnews.com/localnews/stories/111603dnmetoaklawn.555bf.html

It's easy to overlook the small triangle of land at Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue, but a group of area residents and business people sees a font of potential there.

The Oak Lawn Committee, along with some area businesses, is launching a contest to select a design that will transform the triangle into a "gateway" to the neighborhood.

For now, the triangular median is home to a patch of grass, a small tree and length of sidewalk. The median measures 50 feet by 65 feet by 74 feet. City officials have told committee members that the property could be expanded by 10 feet on the west side.

"That corner is the heart and center of Oak Lawn, and a lot of us felt that it was time that it should reflect that," said Dean Carter, chairman of the triangle project for the Oak Lawn Committee. "At the end of the day, it's just a small piece of property. But because it has the potential to become a special place, it's actually very exciting."

Organizers envision that the winning design will incorporate everything that is Oak Lawn – urban, historical, vibrant and diverse. And, it should mirror the changes that have occurred in recent years, as new businesses have emerged and trendy urban residences have sprung up next to older apartments and homes.

Michael Milliken, president of the Oak Lawn Committee, said that although Oak Lawn has seen dramatic growth and change in the last 20 years, it has a distinctive history.

"We think it's important that we try to recognize that there is a certain flavor to Oak Lawn, and we at the Oak Lawn Committee are trying to retain the better parts of that," he said.

The intersection that creates the triangle is a perfect example of the change, Mr. Milliken said.

On one corner is the historic Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, which dates to the late 1870s. At another corner is the Melrose Hotel, built in 1924. Across the street is the modern Centrum office building, which opened in 1987, and on the remaining corner a Walgreens drug store is under construction.

Dozens of mostly new restaurants and shops line Oak Lawn Avenue as it heads northeast from the intersection. But there are reminders of the past, including the Argyle Apartments, which opened in 1927 offering luxury "suburban" living. A sign from the long-gone Lucas B&B Restaurant survives.

As it stretches northwest from the intersection on its way to Love Field, Cedar Springs Road is home to restaurants, shops and a thriving entertainment district with bars and nightclubs catering to predominantly gay and lesbian crowds. It also has a fire station that was built in 1909.

"That shows the diversity of the community all right," Mr. Milliken said. "It definitely gives us a challenge as to what will be appropriate use of that triangle."

Mr. Milliken stressed that although his organization is sponsoring the triangle project, it is an effort that extends beyond the neighborhood. A planning meeting earlier this year to discuss guidelines for the project included not only local business people and residents, but also city staff members, City Council member Veletta Forsythe Lill and others interested in the area.

An advisory group developed standards it felt should be included in any potential design. For example, Mr. Carter said, the design should be "friendly and welcoming, and respect the historic nature and diversity" of the area.

Several people have suggested that the triangle include a water feature. Almost universally, organizers say they would like to see an oak tree. There also has been discussion of having public art there. But the triangle almost certainly will have a sign identifying Oak Lawn.

"My hope is that the project will create a gateway into our community that is both historic and universal and diverse," said Christopher Alto, general manager of the Melrose Hotel and a member of the triangle advisory group. He believes the design should include elements of the architecture of C.D. Hill, who designed the Melrose and Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.

"What this triangle also will have is something that says, 'You've arrived at Oak Lawn,' " Mr. Alto said. "It will be the center of our neighborhood."

Mr. Carter said it's difficult to estimate the project's cost. City officials have said money from the "Mowmentum" program probably would be available. The program provides grants of up to $10,000 to private groups to improve public spaces such as medians and parks.

Any additional money would come from private fund-raising, Mr. Carter said.

Ms. Lill described the intersection as not only high-traffic, but high-impact, seen by thousands of people each day and tens of thousands during special events, such as Halloween on Cedar Springs.

According to a city traffic count, more than 30,000 vehicles travel on Oak Lawn Avenue through the intersection in a 24-hour period. At the same time and location, about 15,000 vehicles were counted on Cedar Springs Road.

"A number of us have been concerned about the poor appearance of that small triangle," she said. "People have felt it is a far more important corner than the modest landscaping that's there now. We didn't want that corner to look like an afterthought."

E-mail ftrejo@dallasnews.com

[gc]

To make suggestions.....http://www.oaklawncommittee.org/

[tamtagon]

One great big shiny FlAG pole thrusting upward from a bushy clump of live oak trees. Perfect, girl.

[Columbus Civil]

A water feature would work well with that idea.

[hamiltonpl]

Anything PINK!

[gc]

3 designs left for area landmark
Contest organizers want to create gateway to Oak Lawn with project
09:07 PM CST on Friday, February 20, 2004
By FRANK TREJO / The Dallas Morning News
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/022104dnmetdesign.1be2b.html

A small piece of Dallas is closer to a getting a makeover.

The Oak Lawn Committee recently sponsored a design contest for a 50-by-65-by-74-foot triangle at Oak Lawn Avenue and Cedar Springs Road. Organizers want to turn this nondescript patch of grass into a hard-to-miss public landmark.

The contest attracted 30 entries from throughout North Texas, and last week the field was narrowed to three. The public now has a chance to voice its opinion.

"The level of passion behind the designs was the most surprising thing for me," said Dean Carter, chairman of the triangle project for the committee. "Most of them [designers] wrote personal stories about why they entered, what motivated them."

The Oak Lawn Committee is made up of residents and business people from the neighborhood.

The three finalists are designs from Rees Associates Inc., PageSoutherlandPage and Cheryl Baez.

Rees Associates' office overlooks the corner. The PageSoutherlandPage entry is from a group of interns excited about the chance for some hands-on designing. Ms. Baez has 10 years of landscape architecture experience and lives in Allen.

Contest organizers have said they want to turn the intersection into a gateway or focal point of Oak Lawn. Coincidentally, a plan commissioned by the Turtle Creek Association and released this week includes proposals for turning several Oak Lawn Avenue intersections into gateways to the Turtle Creek corridor.

On one corner at Oak Lawn and Cedar Springs is Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, which dates to the late 1870s. At another corner is the Melrose Hotel, built in 1924. Across the street is the modern Centrum office building, which opened in 1987. And on the fourth corner is a recently opened Walgreens drug store.

The area contains businesses from retail to restaurants to nightclubs. And, there also has been a boom in residential construction, from town homes to high-rises alongside older single-family homes and apartments.

Bill Campie of Rees Associates said his firm's design incorporates elements that are important to the community, including history and architecture. It features a tower with lighted glass panels.

Michael Harper of PageSoutherlandPage, said his company's entry focuses on the "people aspect" of the neighborhood. The words Oak Lawn appear twice in this design, once on the plaza and again on the lawn.

Ms. Baez said her design is aimed at pedestrians and motorists. It includes a 20-foot column.

Mr. Carter said that once the winner is selected, the committee and others will begin raising money to build it. He said the entries are within the $60,000 to $80,000 range the committee believes can be raised from private sources.

Renditions of the design are on the committee's Web site (www.oaklawncommittee.org), as well as in some businesses near the intersection. There also will be a public forum at 6:30 p.m. March 4 at the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.

The winning entry will be announced March 18.

E-mail ftrejo@dallasnews.com

[gc]

http://www.oaklawncommittee.org/images/BOARD3_jpg.jpg

http://www.oaklawncommittee.org/images/Perspective_jpg.jpg

http://www.oaklawncommittee.org/images/Gateway_jpg.jpg

[bloodandpopcorn]

The third one is definitely my favorite. Though the simplicity of the first might be nice... I think the third would probably attract the most attention and perhaps the most pedestrians.

[crescentboi]

I definettly vote for the third one. I think that's best example of what would be the perfect plend of art and pedestrian access and greenery for the area. I think it's gorgeous! Very excited about all of this. Can't wait to see which one they choose and to watch it all come together.

[freewaytincan]

A "disco ball"? Right, that'll be nice, and will stay in style, to boot! And neon too! Oh boy, it's the 80s all over again! Oh wait...

[Columbus Civil]

All three of the designs look great, but I'll have to agree that the third one is clearly the best of all of them. The column elegantly ties together all of the elements of the neighborhood.

I wish the second design had a little more detail to it.

[tamtagon]

The third entry seems more sophsticated, but I have a hard time believing people will linger to read a paper or pose next to the 20-ft column as suggested in the drawing; this is a difficult intercection to cross on foot or bike and not a pleasant stop to hang out and visit.

The second design appears to include more shaded area to create a calming sensation for communters and pedistrians, but looks like the view of traffic is obscured by the attractive wall which would pull countless drivers into the crosswalks.

I'm surprised a fountain wasnt a final candidate; I hope the Turtle Creek beautification plan includes a bunch of fountains.

If Walgreens would donate the corner of its parking lot adjacent to this triangle to be included in the Gateway to Oaklawn, that would be great.

[tamtagon]

While I dont really like the whimsy of the letters, the first rendering posted would allow a rotation of sculpture. If the grass can be kept lush and green during the summer it would be attractive.

[JaeTex]

3rd is best by far ( though designer is from Allen), and I think a disco ball is a great idea as long as city or traffic engineers don't object to the thing being lit at night and getting in the eyes of drivers.

1st would be "nice" if like the rendering, but I think that kind of design in the area would not fare well, and would quickly gather trash and bare dirt. The design needs to be able to withstand traffic.

[texcolo]

I like no 3.

[dallastophoenix]

I would like to see the tower of #3 incorporated into the "oaklawn" letters of #1... overall, i also like #3 the best.

[Foucault]

I think a clocktower could be cool. This might become a tourist attraction, like in Vancouver's Gastown. However, if the triangle's really difficult to get to, it might not, especially since that's kind of a kid thing to do and Oak Lawn isn't exactly a kid-oriented place. That said, I like #3 best.

[drumguy8800]

*GASP* a DISCO BALL and neon? tacky-tacky-tacky. But besides the.. uh, tackyness, it is the nicest looking one. The small size of the tacky stuff and the nature of the neighborhood might kind of.. make..the.. 80s stuff appear intelligent.. and hopefully, it won't be neon. cause neon requires weird tubes that jut out and have little tie-unders for the elecrticity injection part.. anode.. cathode.. whatever its called. A skinny glass band that juts out just as far with changing colors on the inside would look REALLY cool though.. the only problem i have with neon is the cathode/anode gap.

[freewaytincan]

Well, I mean that I like everything BUT the disco ball thing. It's definitely the best of the three, but come on. I'd be embarrased to live anywhere that had a disco ball taken seriously.

[drumguy8800]

gah, I love these message boards...

[Columbus Civil]

You have to understand gay culture to fully appreciate the appropriateness of the disco ball.

A huge bottle of "video cleaner" might also work if the disco ball is deemed dangerous to motorists

[drumguy8800]

That's more or less hilarious.. in a very.. odd way. I was viewing the disco ball as just like.. would make the buildings look cool cause of the lights. Of course, there's an underlying reason to everything. Your right.. it does have a lot to do with the place having a high density of gays.. anyway.

[JaeTex]

Somewhere on one of the Houston superbowl threads there is a picture of a club with a disco ball outside, and it looks cool.

[drumguy8800]

if anyone can find that thread, link to it on here. im not gonna go diggin through it.. lol :D

[freewaytincan]

Originally posted by drumguy8800
That's more or less hilarious.. in a very.. odd way. I was viewing the disco ball as just like.. would make the buildings look cool cause of the lights. Of course, there's an underlying reason to everything. Your right.. it does have a lot to do with the place having a high density of gays.. anyway.

You know, you're right. It's like my old band director and these...shirts...he would wear...and they were a bit tight, and...nevermind.

[evdallas]

the disco ball

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1905

[drumguy8800]

WHOA. I cracked up for a long time after reading your post, urban. a very long, annoying, weird, throw back laugh.. with little intermittent witch cackles. crap. that was hilarious. Wow, and thanks evdallas - that's Downtown Dallas, ten years from now, on a weekend ;) . We need a building that has setbacks as it goes up so we can get a cool nighttime lighting effect.. with transitions.... *ooooooooooooooh.....*

[Foucault]

Originally posted by drumguy8800
A skinny glass band that juts out just as far with changing colors
I think that is a cool idea (I'm assuming you meant rainbow, since it's Oak Lawn), but I don't think it would fit in considering the structure's aesthetic. That would make a really neat landmark though.

[freewaytincan]

Rainbows...hah! This might be the best thread ever, we just don't know it yet!

[drumguy8800]

lol, completely not along my train of thought.. i was just thinking something that would look good. maybe they could change the cycle to something that would clash so we could give the residents something to complain about... lol, ok, nevermind.

[dallastophoenix]

i'm liking the disco ball thing the more i think about it... when i think of oaklawn i first think "gay," but then i think of fun, party, excitement... i've had so much fun at village station w/ friends, and also at nearby grapevine bar...

i'm also thinking that disco balls underneath the central overpass, entering into deep ellum, would be cool. you would definitely be drawn into the area from downtown...

[RuggerAl]

What if they took the idea of the lights and glass from the second and used it on the third ones design and style.
Then placed the pillar on a small spot in the middle of a green lawn instead of paving as much as it shows. then we can use the law to rotate out art or showcase anything there. With a nice tree it will be a respite on a blustery roadway.

and if we keep the disco ball lets hang some cages and we can have dancers i mean performance artists perform.

[drumguy8800]

According to the Dallas Morning News, Cheryl Baez's design for the traingle has been selected. It will soon look like this:

http://www.oaklawncommittee.org/images/Gateway_jpg.jpg


From the Dallas Morning News: (By Frank Trejo)
A brick plaza, trees and a 20-foot column are coming to the triangle at Oak Lawn Avenue and Cedar Springs Road.
Cheryl Baez's design for the triangle has been selected from 30 entries in a contest held by a group called the Oak Lawn Committee, which wants to put a distinctive mark on the intersection that many consider the heart of Oak Lawn.
Now that the design has been selected, fund raising will begin. the committee expects to raise $60,000 to $80,000 from private sources. An additional $10,000 cold come from the city.

[dallastophoenix]

i don't think it will be that difficult to raise the funds for this project...

[Columbus Civil]

I'm glad the best design won.

[Foucault]

I wonder if it will become a landmark: 'Meet me at the disco ball'...

[tamtagon]

I wonder when enough money will have been collected to get started.

[drumguy8800]

Just in case anyone wanted to know the size of the triangle and where it was.. or something. :D.. (2001 shot..)

http://www.ovillachurchofchrist.com/derek/pictures/dallas/other/oaklawn/oaklawnclose.jpg

[sterling]

I like the pedestal. I even like the disco ball, though I worry about blinding traffic at some point in the mid-day sun. Flaws? Well personally, I don't think the dance floor is big enough to really bring in a crowd...

[dallastophoenix]

Flaws? Well personally, I don't think the dance floor is big enough to really bring in a crowd...

that's why they're expanding village station...

[shawndb]

http://dallasvoice.com/articles/dispArticle.cfm?Article_ID=6464
---------

Triangle project hits a snag – $35,000 more needed to shore up monument’s foundation
By David Webb
Staff Writer

An unexpected construction snag has sent coordinators of the Triangle of Oak Lawn project back to the community seeking additional contributions.
Mark Stori, the fundraising chairman, said engineers working on the project determined that the land in the median at Oak Lawn Avenue and Cedar Springs Road is unstable, meaning concrete reinforcement will be required to support the planned monument. Another $35,000 in contributions is needed to complete the project, Stori said.
Coordinators have already raised $190,000, Stori said. A contractor agreed this week to provide pre-construction demolition services at the site at no charge. Landscaping and paving stone were previously donated, he said.
Stori said he is confident the additional money will be raised and that construction will begin in the fall.
“It’s very exciting,” Stori said. “We’ve had tremendous support. It’s definitely going to happen.”
Frank Stich, chair of the project’s construction committee, said engineers learned of the need for reinforcement when they conducted soil tests. To provide a solid footing for the monument, 20 concrete piers must extend 42 feet into the ground to hit bedrock, he said.
Stich said the reinforcement is essential because coordinators want the monument to be built to the highest standards.
“We do not want this to become the leaning tower of Oak Lawn,” Stich said. “We want it to be a quality project that the whole neighborhood can be proud of.”
Coordinators, who are members of the Oak Lawn Committee, hoped to have the project completed in time for the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade on Sept. 18. But the delay of planned construction while piers are sunk has prevented that, said Dean Carter, chair of the project.
Carter said he expects the monument to be completed in early 2006. A construction bid was recently awarded to Henneberger Construction, and construction will begin soon, he said.
“The goal is to have construction started when everyone passes by in the parade,” Carter said.
Carter said the additional delay and the concrete work is worth the time and money to make sure it is constructed properly.
“You never know until you dig things out what is going to happen,” Carter said. “We want this to be a legacy for Oak Lawn long after we are all gone, so in order to do that it’s just going to cost a little more.”
Carter said rising energy and construction costs had also contributed to the need for more money.
When completed, the intersection median, which is in the shape of a triangle, will feature a monument with a plaque of 100 supporters and a grove of three oak trees. The trees will represent a memorial to HIV survivors.
The project was designed by Cheryl Baez, of Allen, who won a contest the coordinators held to select a designer for the project.
The project has enjoyed strong support from city officials and Oak Lawn residents and businesses.
Major contributors include Ben E. Keith Beers, Walgreen’s, the Melrose Hotel, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, the Gay and Lesbian Fund of Dallas and Voice Publishing Co.
Former City Council member Veletta Forsythe Lill, whose district included the area where the monument will stand, helped get the project going and guided coordinators through the process of getting it approved by city officials.
Lill said the project was important to her because she viewed the intersection as the “gateway” to Oak Lawn. Known for her support of beautification and preservation projects, Lill said the project would help unify the diverse Oak Lawn community.

E-mail webb@dallasvoice.com

[crescentboi]

That sucks that it got pushed back, but it is nice to hear that they are doing this right. It'll be nice to see that intersection cleaned up.

[RobertB]

I first noticed this project just this week, when I stopped by the Walgreen's. It looks like it will be a nice use of a small space that could just as easily have been bulldozed flat with the surrounding pavement.

But one funny thing from the article:

When completed, the intersection median, which is in the shape of a triangle, will feature a monument with a plaque of 100 supporters and a grove of three oak trees.
Grove of *three* trees? I think that concept must have come from the same folks who gave us the "Great" Trinity Forest. :)

(For the record, I like the Oak Lawn plan, and the trees in the Trinity floodplain too...)

[carousel]

I first noticed this project just this week, when I stopped by the Walgreen's. It looks like it will be a nice use of a small space that could just as easily have been bulldozed flat with the surrounding pavement.

But one funny thing from the article:

Grove of *three* trees? I think that concept must have come from the same folks who gave us the "Great" Trinity Forest. :)

(For the record, I like the Oak Lawn plan, and the trees in the Trinity floodplain too...)

good observation

[RobertB]

I stopped by the Walgreen's again yesterday, but this time I had my camera. I've thrown in a couple of pix of the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church for good measure. I also took a stroll through the Centrum Building -- way cool! I never knew that there was a fountain in there. I'll have to take the kids there some weekend (and hope we don't get chased away). Pix from there (including a very LARGE Slurpee cup) will be posted shortly under "Urban Photos".

[ksig121]

I passed by today and the jack hammers are going.

[BigD5349]

Anyone notice that they have put the wooden frames in place to pour the foundation? It appears the construction works has finally begun.

[Hunter Wadle]

well it only took three years....

[frankchitown]

Anyone notice that they have put the wooden frames in place to pour the foundation? It appears the construction works has finally begun.

Yep..the frame looks larger than I imagined...im starting to wish this was a water fountain now, but nonetheless im still happy to see construction is finally underway.

[jstrater]

An update from my friend Frank Stitch who has been working on this project with many others in Oak Lawn. I am excited!!

Subject: The Oak Lawn Triangle...


Just a short update to everyone on my email list I thought might enjoy knowing the latest on the Triangle...

Today we poured the first stage of the monument base. It is the largest single component of the structural concrete, and after the piers, one I'm glade we have behind us. We look forward to pouring the second stage a week from this coming Monday, which will be five days sooner then we had originally hoped for. The third and finial pour should be made by June 2 if everything goes well. From that point on things should go at a faster pace. We wont be faced with pouring concrete, then having to wait days and days for it to cure, before we can pour the next batch. We have been working with the folks from the cast stone company, and are right on target with them. The revised shop drawings for that work should be completed any time now.

Everyone have a great weekend...

Frank Stich