CTroyMathis
21 December 2002, 02:28 PM
Carrollton: Tower is a symbol of changing times
New clock is part of effort to revitalize Old Downtown
12/13/2002
By SCOTT STAFFORD / The Dallas Morning News
As things look up for Old Downtown Carrollton, people are looking up as well – at the new clock tower atop the Gravley Center.
"We have had so many people come down because they saw the clock tower, wondering what in the world is that," said Pat Malone, owner of Ten of Arts, a shop in Old Downtown Carrollton. "It used to be ugly driving in here, and that is our gateway. Now it looks wonderful."
The clock face is the Carrollton city logo – a circular bird design.
The 13,500-square-foot Gravley Center is being built using components from a building that used to stand at that location. The new building will house the Metrocrest Social Service Center, Senior Adult Services and Northwest Family Outreach.
"It is clearly visible from Interstate 35, and that accomplishes one of the main objectives of the project – to increase the visibility of Old Downtown," noted David Gwin, Carrollton economic development manager, who administered the project.
The result, Mr. Gwin said, is a "softening" of one of the most traveled gateways into Carrollton, and the main entrance to what used to be the city's only center of commerce. The design of the building incorporates early 1900s Texas design with landscaping to bring a consistent architectural look to the area.
"It more historically and architecturally matches the character and history of Old Downtown," Mr. Gwin said.
The new look, combined with resurfaced streets in the square, is already having an effect on the local businesses.
"We're finding new life in Old Downtown Carrollton," Ms. Malone said. "We just feel like it's a real shot in the arm for us. It's only going to get better."
Dave Oldfield, who owns several buildings on the square and is erecting a new office/retail building across the street from the Gravley Center, said the momentum should continue through the opening of the DART light-rail line, now estimated for 2010.
"It's a continual process, but the entry into downtown with that Gravley Center is just fantastic," Mr. Oldfield said. He said his new facility will be built using the same type of design as the Gravley Center.
The Gravley Center project was funded by the a federal Community Development Block Grant, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, at a cost of $2.4 million over a four-year period.
The dedication of the Gravley Center is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 3 p.m., Mr. Gwin said.
The clock has been installed, but the city had no funding left to purchase a carillon, the bell system for the clock. So the Old Downtown Carrollton Association had a fund-raising drive.
"It was very successful and raised almost $20,000 from the community. It will not only buy the carillon, but also some ornamental benches and ornamental trash receptacles for the Gravley Center," Mr. Gwin said.
New clock is part of effort to revitalize Old Downtown
12/13/2002
By SCOTT STAFFORD / The Dallas Morning News
As things look up for Old Downtown Carrollton, people are looking up as well – at the new clock tower atop the Gravley Center.
"We have had so many people come down because they saw the clock tower, wondering what in the world is that," said Pat Malone, owner of Ten of Arts, a shop in Old Downtown Carrollton. "It used to be ugly driving in here, and that is our gateway. Now it looks wonderful."
The clock face is the Carrollton city logo – a circular bird design.
The 13,500-square-foot Gravley Center is being built using components from a building that used to stand at that location. The new building will house the Metrocrest Social Service Center, Senior Adult Services and Northwest Family Outreach.
"It is clearly visible from Interstate 35, and that accomplishes one of the main objectives of the project – to increase the visibility of Old Downtown," noted David Gwin, Carrollton economic development manager, who administered the project.
The result, Mr. Gwin said, is a "softening" of one of the most traveled gateways into Carrollton, and the main entrance to what used to be the city's only center of commerce. The design of the building incorporates early 1900s Texas design with landscaping to bring a consistent architectural look to the area.
"It more historically and architecturally matches the character and history of Old Downtown," Mr. Gwin said.
The new look, combined with resurfaced streets in the square, is already having an effect on the local businesses.
"We're finding new life in Old Downtown Carrollton," Ms. Malone said. "We just feel like it's a real shot in the arm for us. It's only going to get better."
Dave Oldfield, who owns several buildings on the square and is erecting a new office/retail building across the street from the Gravley Center, said the momentum should continue through the opening of the DART light-rail line, now estimated for 2010.
"It's a continual process, but the entry into downtown with that Gravley Center is just fantastic," Mr. Oldfield said. He said his new facility will be built using the same type of design as the Gravley Center.
The Gravley Center project was funded by the a federal Community Development Block Grant, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, at a cost of $2.4 million over a four-year period.
The dedication of the Gravley Center is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 3 p.m., Mr. Gwin said.
The clock has been installed, but the city had no funding left to purchase a carillon, the bell system for the clock. So the Old Downtown Carrollton Association had a fund-raising drive.
"It was very successful and raised almost $20,000 from the community. It will not only buy the carillon, but also some ornamental benches and ornamental trash receptacles for the Gravley Center," Mr. Gwin said.