DTD: Gulf States Bldg. + 1414 Elm + Third Rail Lofts (1407 Main)(16 ST.)

[DallasMan]

^Ah, ok. I was freaking out at first when there was a post above that said CVS in the West End was closing, but only the pharmacy. Cool - gotcha. Glad to see they are already open! I can't wait for Jason's...

[CityLove]

I'm glad both stores are staying open, but I'm w/Ninja...I really, really wish this store would stay open past 10. Even till midnight would be SOMETHING. I mean, if the Wally World in Commerce, TX can be open 24 hours, surely a CVS in the very heart of DTD could too.

[Justin Terveen]

spoke with a manager this morning.... he agreed with the 24hr logic and said a petition wouldn't be a bad idea.

during our discussion, another dt resident overheard us and was quick to step up and sound off on the topic...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e352/ninjawerk/overflow/th_cvscopy.jpg (http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e352/ninjawerk/overflow/cvscopy.jpg)

anyway... i'll be starting a petition and passing it out to all the residential buildings in dt... if you'd like to help, please PM me..

[cbr3]

CVS generally will change store hours to accomodate demand so the initial hours could certainly be adjusted. Also, it is not uncommon for the pharmacy to have different hours then the front store.

[vman]

CVS generally will change store hours to accomodate demand so the initial hours could certainly be adjusted. Also, it is not uncommon for the pharmacy to have different hours then the front store.
It would be nice to have something besides McDonalds open all night in DTD. Of subject, but is the Kinko's on Field & Ross open 24hrs?..just curious.

[Mballar]

It would be nice to have something besides McDonalds open all night in DTD. Of subject, but is the Kinko's on Field & Ross open 24hrs?..just curious.
No. I think that location caters primarily to the 9-5 business crowd. The Stores hours are M-F from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sat From 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Closed on Sun.

[DallasMan]

^Saw the store last night, and I think they have the hours up on paper rather than on the glass b/c they are probably trying them out for a while, and then will maybe extend them in the near future? I'm sure a petition of some sorts would help sway them as well...

[cowboyeagle05]

^Saw the store last night, and I think they have the hours up on paper rather than on the glass b/c they are probably trying them out for a while, and then will maybe extend them in the near future? I'm sure a petition of some sorts would help sway them as well...
I would agree a petition lets the business know there is interest even though some see a petition as bad thing its just a group of people letting a business, institiuiton, and or government know that they agree on something.

[maconahey]

putting up the chase sign today
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1543/img4259yx5.jpg

[msutton]

Beautiful space for Chase.

[cowboyeagle05]

Beautiful space for Chase.

Yes, I just wish there was a Washington Mutual downtown. Chase does a good job of covering the areas I am usually at maybe I should change banks?

[barrycb]

I wish Comerica would lease about 5 retail spaces as a way to further connect their brand to Dallas, and to help with the downtown retail revival.

[texcolo2]

http://videodetective.com/photos/006/000264_11.jpg

I'll apologize for this superflous post in advance... but

DT Big D... It's ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!

[grantboston]

Had a friend look to get in here in the past week. Apparently they're leasing rather well (at least in the 1407 building). They only have a few of the most expensive units left, according to my friend. Apparently all of the cheaper ones have been sold. Guess that means we'll soon see a pickup in DTD traffic with the addition of a lot of 1-2 person units?

[xen0blue]

Had a friend look to get in here in the past week. Apparently they're leasing rather well (at least in the 1407 building). They only have a few of the most expensive units left, according to my friend. Apparently all of the cheaper ones have been sold. Guess that means we'll soon see a pickup in DTD traffic with the addition of a lot of 1-2 person units?

I hope they fill up. While i'm probably not moving there, I did visit there and while I don't care for what they did on the inside too much, I think the outside is one of the most beautiful buildings downtown, especially that marquee on the side...all buildings downtown should have something like that.

[msutton]

Yeah, the marquee is really stunning, I think. If this can set the bar for DTD development... we will be in good shape. Just hope the Merc turns out as well.

Also, a great sign that the less expensive units in these buildings are going fast. If that market can start to open up, then maybe we'll start seeing some developments (or turn-arounds of the older DTD developments) moving towards a more "average American" target group.

[rosewood]

Why is "average" ever "good"?

[jsoto3]

There is an interesting agenda item (#37) in the Council meeting on the 28th. The owners of the building are requesting the creation of a signage subdistrict for this block to permit large video billboards:
ftp://ftp.dallascityhall.com/Agenda/November%2028%20Agenda/Final%20Agenda_November%2028,%202007.pdf

City staff recommends approval while the City Plan Commmission recommends denial (even though there was some weird back-and-forth motions to approve and deny, by the same commissioner).

If approved, this could set a precedent for more video signage in the DT core in the future.

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/1109/3rdrailvideosignageak4.th.jpg (http://img119.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3rdrailvideosignageak4.jpg)

[Hunter Wadle]

I walked by yesterday, Jasons is well along its way to open...anyone know what day they are offiicially opening?

[hamiltonpl]

The video board would be great. It would add a lot to the downtown vibe. Why is the City Planning Commission against it?

[Kelley USA]

Was City Planning also against the ticker board that was going to go up at the sports bar (name escapes me right now)... I think the video board would be very cool down there!

[xen0blue]

I think the city would be stupid to turn this down...this is EXACTLY the kind of thing downtown needs.

[freewaytincan]

I like the idea of video signage, but that particular one looks kind of awkward. It could use some work.

[DFW-LAX]

I like the idea of video signage, but that particular one looks kind of awkward. It could use some work.

A.D.D.-inspired video boards erected on relatively narrow streets of a downtown district are not only dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike, they're tacky. One or two may be OK, but once you open that can of worms, there will be a flood of uncoordinated, flashy and annoying video ads plastered all over those buildings. The planning commission would do the city a big favor by opposing this request.

[Tnekster]

A.D.D.-inspired video boards erected on relatively narrow streets of a downtown district are not only dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike, they're tacky. One or two may be OK, but once you open that can of worms, there will be a flood of uncoordinated, flashy and annoying video ads plastered all over those buildings. The planning commission would do the city a big favor by opposing this request.

Kind of like Times Square.

[jsoto3]

Why is the City Planning Commission against it?
Though this is quoting the City staff (who are in conditional support), this might be why the Plan Commission is opposed, but not necessarily:
(excerpt from Agenda Item #37 in PDF I linked above)

Staff is generally supportive of signage which helps promote a pedestrian environment and contributes to giving the downtown area a unique atmosphere. However, staff is concerned with continuing to expand the exceptions to the general prohibition on new non-premise advertising and further diluting this general prohibition. Staff is especially concerned with allowing non-premise advertising overhanging the right-of-way. To date only small scale advertising or sponsorship has been allowed in the right-of-way. Banners on street light poles are limited to 20 s/f in area and sponsor areas are limited to 10 percent of the area of the banner. Kiosks sign faces are approximately 22 s/f in area and one sign face is dedicated to a public message.

Staff is also concerned with the proposed scale of the signage. The largest effective area allowed for lower level signs (the building façade area from grade to 36 ft in height), is 40 s/f for signs within 15 ft of the right-of-way (60 s/f if setback more than 15 ft). The one exception to this is marquee signs associated with an entertainment venue which can be up to 375 s/f for venues with more than 150 seats (225 s/f for venues less than 150 seats). The scale of the proposed signage, as well as the allowed projection, indicates to staff that the target audience for the sign is as much vehicular traffic as pedestrian.

Staff is concerned that streaming video on signs oriented towards traffic could pose a hazard to pedestrian traffic and vehicular traffic. There is a crosswalk without traffic controls mid-block on Main Street between Akard and Field and streaming video could be a distraction to motorist. Depending on the placement of the sign, streaming video could be a distraction.

The applicant has correctly observed that larger video board signs are allowed in the Victory SPSD. However the sliding media wall signs are only allowed on a façade facing the plaza. While visible from adjacent streets the signs are not oriented to vehicular traffic. The additional changeable message sign above the WFAA studio is clearly visible from traffic approaching on Houston Street but it is a flat attached sign and does not overhang right-of-way. The signs are intended to promote the festival atmosphere of the plaza area and the entertainment complex. Similarly the permitted video board sign allowed adjacent to Pegasus Plaza is intended to promote pedestrian oriented plaza activities.

[JohnMcKee]

Not to mention the light those things throw off, I wouldn't want to live next to one.

It's always so interesting to me how many people want Dallas to be New York. It's always, Dallas needs a Times Square, Dallas needs highrise ultra-dense development like New York.

There are a lot of things to like about New York, I enjoy spending a limited amount of time there, I was just there a few weeks ago. There is also a whole lot to dislike. If I wanted to live in New York I would have packed up years ago and moved out there, financially, employment and socially I would have been fine.

Dallas has a lot of potential and a lot to offer now, I think you'll find a lot of people in Dallas for New York that came here to escape things like not having a yard and private green spaces, big video billboards, etc.

[TexasStar]

I'm a Dallasite who likes the idea of a few video screens downtown.
This desire has absolutely nothing to do with New York.

[JohnMcKee]

I'm a Dallasite who likes the idea of a few video screens downtown.
This desire has absolutely nothing to do with New York.

To each their own, if they tried to build one near my home I would throw a raging queen hissy fit.

[mdg109]

To each their own, if they tried to build one near my home I would throw a raging queen hissy fit.
This is downtown, not a cute and quiet neighborhood.

[xen0blue]

Not to mention the light those things throw off, I wouldn't want to live next to one.

It's always so interesting to me how many people want Dallas to be New York. It's always, Dallas needs a Times Square, Dallas needs highrise ultra-dense development like New York.

There are a lot of things to like about New York, I enjoy spending a limited amount of time there, I was just there a few weeks ago. There is also a whole lot to dislike. If I wanted to live in New York I would have packed up years ago and moved out there, financially, employment and socially I would have been fine.

Dallas has a lot of potential and a lot to offer now, I think you'll find a lot of people in Dallas for New York that came here to escape things like not having a yard and private green spaces, big video billboards, etc.

Dallas has and always will have a New York complex...it aspires to be the NYC of the South and I think culturally and societally, we're there. Now we just need physical appearance part.

[msutton]

As long as they're tasteful (i.e. not Times Square, the gaudiest place on earth), I agree I think they would be cool and fit in with the Dallas "image." I like the way they've been handled in Victory...

[Tnekster]

As long as they're tasteful (i.e. not Times Square, the gaudiest place on earth), I agree I think they would be cool and fit in with the Dallas "image." I like the way they've been handled in Victory...

I like the way they are done in Victory as well. Times Square just strikes me as a colossal tourist trap.

[msutton]

That it is.

[JohnMcKee]

As long as they're tasteful (i.e. not Times Square, the gaudiest place on earth), I agree I think they would be cool and fit in with the Dallas "image." I like the way they've been handled in Victory...

Thats because you don't live in the W. I almost feel bad for the people that bought units facing the video screens when I go there at night, just the reflection of the video screens off the building is bad enough, I can't imagine living in one and having to deal with light at night.

[Lionel Hutz]

Not to mention the light those things throw off, I wouldn't want to live next to one.
I picture Kramer living next to that Kenny Rogers Roasters' neon sign. :D

[dizzy]

Thats because you don't live in the W. I almost feel bad for the people that bought units facing the video screens when I go there at night, just the reflection of the video screens off the building is bad enough, I can't imagine living in one and having to deal with light at night.
Even from the Davis Bldg I notice the reflection of the AAC screens bouncing off our walls at night.

[JohnMcKee]

This is downtown, not a cute and quiet neighborhood.

There is a difference between having a cute and quiet neighborhood and making an active effort to make a neighborhood inhospitable.

I love dense development, I can't imagine living anywhere but a highrise right now, I love being in the center of things, sleeping with my blinds open for a view of the city lights. This is one of my favorite times of year because I can leave the big sliding door to my balcony open all day and night and listen to the street sounds. One of my favorite things about NY is sleeping with my hotel window open so I can hear the sounds of the city.

I am a proponent of making downtown a 24/7 neighborhood, I came very close to buying a condo in downtown, but bright distracting video advertising signs are not the way of doing it.

[TiredWhiteTrash]

Dallas has and always will have a New York complex...it aspires to be the NYC of the South and I think culturally and societally, we're there. Now we just need physical appearance part.

It is comments like this that makes Dallas look like a laughing stock to the better cities.

[Tnekster]

Dallas has and always will have a New York complex...it aspires to be the NYC of the South and I think culturally and societally, we're there. Now we just need physical appearance part.

I think you have confused Dallas with Houston. I have always heard Houstonians talk about how Houston was the up and coming NYC of Texas. I can't imagine why. And I would be horrified if Dallas got to be like NYC, I would have to move. But I don't think it ever will, NYC is unique and is not going to be duplicated somewhere else, nor should it be. There is only one.

[xen0blue]

It is comments like this that makes Dallas look like a laughing stock to the better cities.

'better' cities? *sticks up middle finger*

[Mballar]

Dallas isn't trying to be anything but Dallas, and these video screens aren't any attempt to be like Times Square, or Tokyo. It's just a newer and better way of advertising. As technology advances, I suspect we will take advantage of all of the things she has to offer. We should expect a city like Dallas, with a substantial presence in the ad agency/marketing firm world, to be following these technological trends in advertising. Other cities will follow. Will they be trying to be like New York's Time Square? I don't think so. They will just be following the trend. It's like flat screen televisions were 5 years ago. . .Only a few people had them. Now, everybody's got one. You can expect the same with this form of digital media advertising in the coming years. Surely, if Dallas was trying to be like New York's Time Square, we would have seen these things popping up a long time ago.

By the way, I support this request to place these signs here. I think it will add more vibrancy and information to the area. While I can understand the concern about effects on traffic/public safety, I don't think the risk associated with the visual effects of these signs will rise to a level that will be a major factor in contributing to traffic accidents in that area. Therefore, to me, the benefit far outweighs the cost. They pulled the big digital billboards from DFW Airport many years ago (notifying us of updated departure/arrival/gate information) for the same reason. I disagreed with that decision too.

[tamtagon]

^Word.

Nighttime crowds and lighted signs are parteners in a busy streetscape, each encouraged by the presence of the other. A brightening up CBD streets with ad space should be organized, though, purposefully allowed to concentrate on those specific blocks intended to develop longterm appeal as a "Painting the town red" destination.

Just as important, the absence of lighted ads and the like must be a mandate for those blocks in the CBD which will function as the nice front pourch for a concentration of residential highrises.

[mjblazin]

A billboard is a billboard, regardless of technology employed. We don't need them. Somehow people have misunderstood Ridley Scott's vision in Blade Runner. Those large screens were there to show what a hell LA had become in 50 years. He wasn't trying to show a vibrant urban community.

[Mballar]

A billboard is a billboard, regardless of technology employed. We don't need them. Somehow people have misunderstood Ridley Scott's vision in Blade Runner. Those large screens were there to show what a hell LA had become in 50 years. He wasn't trying to show a vibrant urban community.
You seem to be against billboards in general. . . or maybe it's just electronic ones you don't like. If that's the case, there's probably no request for this form of advertising that will suit you. However, if you're genuinely concerned about DT being overrun by these types of screens (a la Blade Runner), then I think you can rest assured that your concerns are shared by the Planning Commission, and a limit is being placed on the number of video signs which can be erected in this particular area. In this case it's 3.

[jsoto3]

WFAA Report:
http://www.wfaa.com/video/wfaageneral-index.html?nvid=196192&shu=1

[jsoto3]

Council discussion begins at 22 minutes:
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/cso/mp3/City_Council_2007_11-28_Hr-4.mp3

[jsoto3]

AHunt moved to defer a vote for a few months so that the Council can have a briefing to discuss the broader issue and solicit input from stakeholders. Council approved the motion.

Submit your opinions to Angela:
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD14_Mail_Form.htm

[FoUTASportscaster]

The sign for Jason's Deli was hung today.

BTW, you won't hear me complaining about this building, or giving a knee-jerk reaction. It gets a B+ to an A- for its urban design. It incorporates the average pedestrian really well, has little blank walls, varied stroefronts, wide sidewalks, etc. In fact, my major grip is the layout of the sidewalk, which for some reason stairsteps in the middle of it.

[vman]

I used the ATM at the Chase Bank today. Anyone know if the ATM in the entrance is accessible after hours? I noticed a little box near the door. Is it one where you use your bank card for entrance?