Oak Cliff progressing

[trolleyguy]

Lots of cool things happening in the cliff. It is good to see development is progressing even during these "tough economic times".

New BBQ Restaurant 'Smoke' is opening soon in the former Cliff Cafe next to Belmont Hotel.
http://www.smokerestaurant.com/
They are having a sneak preview tonight with Bands, free samples and even Kinky Friedman is going to be there smoking cigars.

Land swap recently approved by Dallas county will now allow Project Luke to proceed. Everything on the east side of Sylvan in between I-30 and Fort Worth Ave will be replaced by a mix of retail and restaurants anchored by a brand new organic grocery store.
http://www.oaxacallc.com/plsiteplan.html

The Crack house Colorado Place Apartments are being demolished soon to be replaced by LaReunion Towncenter - a mix of residential, retail, and restaurants.


It is still slightly rough around the edges but it is encouraging that the hood has been getting better and better since making the transition from Uptown to Kessler Park. I'm so glad that there is a lot of interest and motivated groups trying to improve the area.

It's good to be a cliff dweller.
:cheers:

[ericthegardener]

Land swap recently approved by Dallas county will now allow Project Luke to proceed. Everything on the east side of Sylvan in between I-30 and Fort Worth Ave will be replaced by a mix of retail and restaurants anchored by a brand new organic grocery store.
I hadn't heard that the land swap was approved. The latest story I could find at the DMN website (dated August 5th) had the headline "Commissioners reject land swap with developers in West Dallas". I'm not doubting you, but do you have a link that confirms that the land swap went through?

I'll be very happy if this is true!

[trolleyguy]

I hadn't heard that the land swap was approved. The latest story I could find at the DMN website (dated August 5th) had the headline "Commissioners reject land swap with developers in West Dallas". I'm not doubting you, but do you have a link that confirms that the land swap went through?

I'll be very happy if this is true!

I can't find a link but I got this email response from Mike Cantrell (Dallas County Commissioner) the other day:

I wanted to provide you an update on the Commissioners Court decision regarding the property exchange matter that you have shown an interest.

Today, the Commissioners approved the exchange of an interest in real property owned by Dallas County at 738 Fort Worth Avenue and 1808 Sylvan Avenue for an interest in real property owned by Jackson O.C., LLC located at 2022, 2024, 2036 North Beckley Avenue, a payment of One Million Dollars and no cents to Jackson O.C., LLC and approval of a commercial property contract of exchange as well as a lease on 738 Fort Worth Avenue and 1808 Sylvan Avenue through March 31, 2010.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,
Mike Cantrell
Dallas County Commissioner, District 2

[lakewoodhobo]

That is awesome. Glad to know Project Luke is moving forward.

[ericthegardener]

Well that made my day!

I hope Sunflower is the organic grocer. I've been going out of my way to shop at the one on Henderson.

[UrbanHope]

Newflower is pretty good. I like that saving you get b/c they overlap their circulars.

[RayM]

Newflower is pretty good. I like that saving you get b/c they overlap their circulars.
I like that their produce is 1/3 the price of Albertson's, no sales involved.

[KesslerDweller]

This Is Great News!!

[DallasMan]

Bolsaversary last night had a great turnout...love that place.

[urbanskier]

This is very exciting news for this area of Oak Cliff. It looks the cable water park that is planned for the area was approved by the Oak Cliff Chamber - its just down Sylvan & Singleton from the Belmont Hotel - I can't wait until that opens!

Here is the August 25th article from the DMN:

http://oakcliffblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/08/updates-on-oak-cliff-projects.html
August 25, 2009

Updates on Oak Cliff projects and a call for volunteers

10:29 AM Tue, Aug 25, 2009 |
Roy Appleton/Reporter

The gathering this morning at the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce included updates on a slew of projects and a call for volunteers.
Here are some highlights:
-- The chamber's economic development committee endorsed a proposed watersports complex in West Dallas. The project, targeted for Fishtrap Lake near Singleton Boulevard and Hampton Road, needs a zoning change. More to come on this.

[KesslerDweller]

I think the location is a Hampton and Singleton - 1 mile West. No lake at Singleton and Sylvan.

[dfwcre8tive]

Dallas' Oak Cliff area is a diverse work in progress
09:07 AM CDT on Sunday, September 20, 2009
By ROY APPLETON / The Dallas Morning News
rappleton@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/092009dnmetpointsofchange.3ec783e.html

For some, Oak Cliff is the place to be – with its trees and rolling terrain, its energy and edge, its time-worn, unfabricated look and feel.
Also Online
Explore southern Dallas through interactive maps and videos

For others, it's simply a place to live and work, a home near family and friends or a 'hood with too much crime and neglect.

For all, the swelling of the Latino population keeps changing the dynamics west of the Trinity River.

...

[trolleyguy]

From the Fort Worth Avenue Development website:

FWA at heart of the next great urban 'hood

Friday, September 25, 2009 | FWADG Editor

Fort Worth Avenue is no longer just the great urban gateway to the Trinity River corridor and Downtown Dallas.

Now it is also a key thoroughfare through the heart of what is expected to be the world's next great urban neighborhood.

In a major announcement, the Trinity Trust earlier this month said it has hired world-renowned urban planner Larry Beasley to oversee an urban design studio that will guide much of the development on the west side of the Trinity River. In the 1990s, Beasley guided the transformation of central Vancouver, British Columbia, into a vibrant urban community. His most recent project -- establishing a new-century model for Abu Dhabi, the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates.

The boundaries for the beta site of the Beasley-directed project are:

-- on the north and east, the Trinity River
-- on the south, Interstate 30 West
-- on the west, Sylvan Road (next to the Belmont Hotel)

The project's second phase will push just the western boundary to Hampton Road and the third phase moves that boundary out to Westmoreland Road.

Planning for the beta site began August 29 at a by-invitation-only "dream session", which Beasley facilitated.

Fort Worth Avenue is a major thoroughfare through two-thirds of the project area. The street will link downtown, the Trinity River corridor, West Dallas and several North Oak Cliff neighborhoods to the new-urbanist developments that will flourish in the beta site over the coming decade.

Beasley's urban design studio is privately financed and will reside within Dallas City Hall.

"Larry Beasley is among the most respected and accomplished urban planners in the world," says our president, Scott Griggs. "We are thrilled with his involvement in the Dallas Urban Design Studio and look forward to working hand in hand to develop creative solutions that will just accelerate the revitalization we are already seeing."

Some businesses already located within the area the project will oversee are: Jack's Backyard; the Belmont Hotel; Smoke; the Dallas Central Post Office; Salon las Americas; Buena Vista, the Belmont Health Club, the Dallas Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Tio Joe's.

Soon to come are Project Luke (with its organic grocery) and the Dallas Water Sports Complex, a cable ski park scheduled to open next spring at Fish Trap Lake.

:thumbsup:

[SDORN]

I have photographcally documented alll of fortworth Ave from downtown to Hampton and also have documented the Hampton colorodo and fort Worth Intersection as well.
I also have photo of the colorado place appartments before they were torn down and I have the Alamo Motel as well

[ericthegardener]

From the Fort Worth Avenue Development website:

FWA at heart of the next great urban 'hood

Friday, September 25, 2009 | FWADG Editor

Fort Worth Avenue is no longer just the great urban gateway to the Trinity River corridor and Downtown Dallas.

Now it is also a key thoroughfare through the heart of what is expected to be the world's next great urban neighborhood.


Interesting.

Here's the website for the Fort Worth Avenue Development Group:

http://www.fortworthavenue.org/

They also say that the plan to widen Beckley (from the new bridge to I-30) has been scrapped.


A while back, we warned you about a city plan to widen Beckley Avenue to a point where it would be wider than the Interstate 30 bridge across the Trinity?

Well, never mind.

Your e-mails to elected officials, and diligent lobbying by our group's Tomorrow Committee, has led to a complete change of thinking at city hall about the intersection's future.

As a result, the city has hired the Dallas office of Wallace, Roberts & Todd (WRT) to re-imagine the stretch of Beckley from the new Margaret Hunt Hill bridge to Interstate 30. The new model? A boulevard where cyclists, pedestrians and mass-transit riders comfortably share the public space with cars.

[trolleyguy]

I also have photo of the colorado place appartments before they were torn down and I have the Alamo Motel as well

The other day these apartments were still standing. Were they recently (within the past few days) torn down?

I look forward to the day these come down as well as the alamo motel.

[trolleyguy]

Interesting.

Here's the website for the Fort Worth Avenue Development Group:

http://www.fortworthavenue.org/

They also say that the plan to widen Beckley (from the new bridge to I-30) has been scrapped.


Didn't see all of these before - there are even more cool recent announcements:

http://www.fortworthavenue.org/Announcements.aspx

[RobertB]

The other day these apartments were still standing. Were they recently (within the past few days) torn down?

I look forward to the day these come down as well as the alamo motel.
Not the Alamo Motel! It's one of the last examples of pre-Interstate motel culture that I can think of in Dallas. Done right, it could be cool and funky -- convert the rooms into art space or something. But at the very least, the sign and facade need to be preserved.

(Of course, this is Dallas, so bring on the bulldozers. :censored: )

[ericthegardener]

Not the Alamo Motel! It's one of the last examples of pre-Interstate motel culture that I can think of in Dallas. Done right, it could be cool and funky -- convert the rooms into art space or something. But at the very least, the sign and facade need to be preserved.

There is another one, the Mission Motel, about a quarter mile east of the Alamo that's pretty neat too! I always thought it would be great if it were converted into some kind of alternative flea market.

http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&q=commerce+street+dallas+tx&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&gl=us&ei=IBjGSrPNEo2o8Abj5Lg7&hq=&hnear=Commerce+St,+Dallas,+Texas&ll=32.772517,-96.83253&spn=0.014073,0.015943&z=16&layer=c&cbll=32.7705,-96.835067&panoid=YMkT7aFiG1-Hjmn-r_Cx2Q&cbp=12,156.95,,0,5

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapshotsunmade/880307198/

The Alamo is great too though, and I'd love to see another use found for both of them, but it's unlikely.

[tamtagon]

It's tempting to compare the atmosphere of Oak Cliff to Austin, and in the grand scheme of things I've never thought is was that much of a stretch. So, when I think about places like the Alamo Motel in Oak Cliff, I think about the Austin Motel (http://www.austinmotel.com/) in Austin.

It would be a shame to demolish a building simply because it's current use is unsavory.

[ericthegardener]

You're right, I've stayed at the Austin Motel and it's a great comparison. If development continues on Ft. Worth Avenue it's certainly possible. My only question is could the area support two quirky, boutique hotel/motel thingys? Would the Belmont be happy about the competition?

[AeroD]

You're right, I've stayed at the Austin Motel and it's a great comparison. If development continues on Ft. Worth Avenue it's certainly possible. My only question is could the area support two quirky, boutique hotel/motel thingys? Would the Belmont be happy about the competition?

Why not?

Austin Motel is right next to the San Jose Hotel.

[ericthegardener]

Why not?

There's not necessarily any reason why not. I just know that Austin is known more for cool, quirky stuff like that and I wonder if Dallas could support two especially right in the same place. I would like it to be so, but I'm just asking.

[RobertB]

There's not necessarily any reason why not. I just know that Austin is known more for cool, quirky stuff like that and I wonder if Dallas could support two especially right in the same place. I would like it to be so, but I'm just asking.
When I worked at a small-town Sonic, we had a Tastee Freez (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tastee-Freez) right next door. When they went belly-up, I remarked to the Soni owner that it would be great, no more competition. He said no, I was way off the mark. Having the Tastee Freez next door was great for business, because people were more likely to come to our side of town when there were a couple of choices. Losing Tastee Freez didn't mean we'd get their busness; it meant that the restaurants up by the Wal-Mart would get their business, *plus* a bunch of folks that used to go to Sonic as well.

On that basis, the Belmont shouldn't just *tolerate* a Fort Worth Avenue competitor. It should welcome another West Side high-end establishment with open arms and a chocolate on the pillow.

[tamtagon]

The coolness factor of the renovated motor hotels on Fort Worth Avenue is lost in the wind if not accompanied by cool thrift stores, easy/lazy coffee shops, and a couple of cool bars with live music.

I think the developmental forces behind the area are committed to the idea of a unique environment, and hopefully understand that attempting to replicate Citiplace West Village would be a huge failure. Gleaning the ambiance/atmosphere of Expo Park will make Fort Worth Ave work. I'm just saying.

[Cliff Dweller]

I would say Jack's Back Yard and Bar Belmont are "a couple of cool bars with live music". It's been a long slog on Ft. Worth Ave and there have been some setbacks, but overall there's steady improvement.

Also, yes the Colorado Place Apts are still standing. They are boarded up right now, and things seem to be on "pause", but as I understand it, the project is still alive. You can see the presentation they gave at City Hall here: http://www.dallascityhall.com/committee_briefings/briefings0609/HOU_LaReunion_Town_Center_061509.pdf

[el Zilcho]

I would say Jack's Back Yard and Bar Belmont are "a couple of cool bars with live music". It's been a long slog on Ft. Worth Ave and there have been some setbacks, but overall there's steady improvement.

Also, yes the Colorado Place Apts are still standing. They are boarded up right now, and things seem to be on "pause", but as I understand it, the project is still alive. You can see the presentation they gave at City Hall here: http://www.dallascityhall.com/committee_briefings/briefings0609/HOU_LaReunion_Town_Center_061509.pdf

From what I recall the loan for the demolition was approved and they were to be down by August. Obviously that did not happen. Not really surprising, they were supposed to be torn down by August 2008 at one point too...

[palchik]

Not the Alamo Motel! It's one of the last examples of pre-Interstate motel culture that I can think of in Dallas. Done right, it could be cool and funky -- convert the rooms into art space or something. But at the very least, the sign and facade need to be preserved.

(Of course, this is Dallas, so bring on the bulldozers. :censored: )

Isn't the Belmont just as good of an example?

[trolleyguy]

From what I recall the loan for the demolition was approved and they were to be down by August. Obviously that did not happen. Not really surprising, they were supposed to be torn down by August 2008 at one point too...

Looks like it's finally going to happen.

From a Dave Neumann newsletter:

Fort Worth Avenue Corridor: Fairways at La Reunion
Progress has been made on Phase 1 for the Fairways at La Reunion along the Fort Worth Avenue Corridor. A 198 unit, quality rental facility for seniors will open their leasing office in January 2010, with residents moving in by March.

Demolition will begin on Phase 2 - the Colorado Place Apartments - and will be followed by new construction. We will be holding a "Demolition Celebration" for the old apartments on Saturday, November 21st @ 9:00am. This is the next step in bringing Oak Cliff quality, mixed use development for residential, commercial, and retail issues along Fort Worth Avenue.

Phase 3 - Demolition and redevelopment of the Colorado Place Apartments on the north side of Fort Worth Avenue is on the horizon as well.....Stay Tuned......

[vman]

I noticed last week the little dinner (can't remember the name) on Beckley, a little nw of Methodist, closed and is now being renovated as another Metro Diner location. Hopefully it will be 24 hours like the others.

[carousel]

Not the Alamo Motel! It's one of the last examples of pre-Interstate motel culture that I can think of in Dallas. Done right, it could be cool and funky -- convert the rooms into art space or something. But at the very least, the sign and facade need to be preserved.

(Of course, this is Dallas, so bring on the bulldozers. :censored: )

I agree! Let the Alamo stand! It has great potential.

[Justin Terveen]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3906752106_49b78ae44d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/3906752106/)

[dfwcre8tive]

The land swap went through for the Project Luke development.





Relocation of Dallas County auto garage clashes with city plans along Trinity River
10:12 PM CST on Sunday, December 20, 2009
By KEVIN KRAUSE / The Dallas Morning News
kkrause@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/122109dnmetcountyland.3c183ae.html

...

Oaxaca Interests and shopping-center developer Drexel Realty Partners approached county officials earlier this year with the land-swap proposal. They said it would allow them to build a $45 million mixed-use development in West Dallas that will include a specialty grocer.

The swap cost the county $1 million but gave it a much bigger site along with an existing office and warehouse building.

Commissioners said another reason they approved the land deal was because they didn't want to stand in the way of West Dallas redevelopment efforts.

Loessberg said it's possible the developers could extend the lease to give the county more time.

But the developers have said they hope to break ground on the project at the beginning of 2010.

The county land was the only piece the developers hadn't already tied up for their project, tentatively titled Project Luke, which will front I-30. The 6.5-acre project will feature studio and loft apartments and about 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. It will be anchored by an organic grocery store.

...

[dfwcre8tive]

Here's a good article about all the changes happening in Oak Cliff and some of the reasons/history behind it...

http://www.dallasobserver.com/2010-02-25/news/lord-love-a-developer/

[el Zilcho]

A few updates: The Colorado Place Apts have finally been leveled and the land is mostly cleared.

Aldis bought the old bank property across the street and plans to open in 2011. Not really that interesting but should be nice for the folks at the new senior living place.

Not much going on with the Oaxaca site, but they are lending out one of the old taquerias for Christopher Jeffers guerilla restaurant. Haven't been yet but have heard it is a good time / good food.

[SDORN]

Update Jrs demolition has begun demolition Of the old Bank it started around 2:45. i was on site shooting video and pixs for Jrs. I will post what I have when I have more time. also including Alamo Plaza hotel over nine buildings will have to be bulldozed for the new development. Colorado place is pretty history only three building remain and demolition shoukd by the next week or two Lindamood demolition has been working on that for the last three months now. also the Oak cliff Funeral Home at Zang and Colorado has pulled out of that building. It most likely will come down at some point.

[SDORN]

Update bank building is down photos to follow later.

[RobertB]

Can they at least keep the facade of the Alamo Plaza Hot Courts? It's iconic, representative of the old Route 66 days when Americans discovered the automobile. You could even tie it in to the Bankhead Highway (http://douglasathas.net/blogs/index.php/2009/08/12/bankhead_flook1), which should be getting more interest (especially if Carol Kent (http://www.house.state.tx.us/news/release.php?id=2831) gets reelected).

[dfwcre8tive]

Can they at least keep the facade of the Alamo Plaza Hot Courts? It's iconic, representative of the old Route 66 days when Americans discovered the automobile. You could even tie it in to the Bankhead Highway (http://douglasathas.net/blogs/index.php/2009/08/12/bankhead_flook1), which should be getting more interest (especially if Carol Kent (http://www.house.state.tx.us/news/release.php?id=2831) gets reelected).

There's an interesting new book out... "Historic Hotels of Dallas" (or something similar) that I picked up at Walgreen's last night. It has a lot of history and photos of all hotels in the city, including the old road side "tourist lodges." I agree that the Alamo Plaza facade (or at the least, the sign) should be worked into a new development on the site.

[tamtagon]

IMO, those old motor hotels ought to be revamped and opened up for the 21st century patron. It's the kind of kitch that would be a huge hit for the naturally cool visitors to Oak Cliff.

[SMU Urban]

What development is happening on the Alamo site? Did you say the Alamo is being demolished this month?

[trolleyguy]

What development is happening on the Alamo site? Did you say the Alamo is being demolished this month?

I don't know of any plan to demolish these and don't want to be starting rumors. In one of my posts above, I just mention that I can't wait for the alamo hotel to come down. I don't know of any actual plans of this happening. It appears that there are many on this board who don't share the same opinion and want it to be preserved.

I think in general, there are just too many what I consider "crack house" motels on Fort Worth Avenue. I don't think the Alamo hotel is what I consider an appealing structure with interesting old architecture. It looks like a poorly constructed stucco cheap motel complex and I guess I can't visualize something built off of the existing structure.

With the Sylvan|30 project commencing sometime soon, I'm hoping that the same type of vibe spreads and those crack house motels are knocked down and replaced with things that are needed by residents living close to the area and jive with the overall vision of the Fort Worth Avenue Renaissance. I could be totally off base and they want to include the preservation of the Alamo Hotel as part of the vision.

This is just my opinion and not intended to upset the Alamo lovers. Being a resident of Oak Cliff, I'm just excited that they are creating a better atmosphere in this area in general.

[RobertB]

Check out this old postcard. It shows a facade similar to the Dallas Alamo Plaza, and an interior shot of "ALAMO PLAZA FRIED CHICKEN RESTAURANT / Floyd N. Standard, Manager". But I don't know if this is the Dallas Alamo Plaza, or perhaps the one in Carlsbad, NM. Or maybe there were more -- the filename is "Oklahoma_OklahomaCity_AlamoPlazaInterior_small".

If the image doesn't show up, go to the seller's site: http://www.judnick.com/InteriorsRestaurants.htm
http://www.judnick.com/images/Oklahoma_OklahomaCity_AlamoPlazaInterior_small.jpg
The owner is selling a high-resolution version of the card for $1.50... wonder if it would be worth it to see the other side.

[dfwcre8tive]

http://bikefriendlyoc.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/better-block7.jpg?w=425


As part of the Oak Cliff Art Crawl several BFOCer’s along with Go Oak Cliff are creating a “living block” art installation, where we’ll be taking a car-centric four lane street with poor zoning and restrictive development ordinances, and convert it into a people-friendly neighborhood block. For two days only, we’ll install three pop-up businesses, including a coffee shop, flower store, and kids’ art studio and we’ll be bringing in historic lighting, outdoor cafe seating, and more. We’re working with the set design group, Shag Carpet, and have a team of artists, advocates, and residents all coming together to help pull the project together.

Currently, the city creates obstacles for businesses wishing to develop awnings, outdoor seating, live/work spaces, et al. This event is being developed to highlight the changes Dallas should focus on if it truly wants to compete with other major US cities.


http://bikefriendlyoc.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/the-better-block-project/

_____

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2010/03/in_oak_cliff_temporarily_rezon.php

[el Zilcho]

Check out this old postcard. It shows a facade similar to the Dallas Alamo Plaza, and an interior shot of "ALAMO PLAZA FRIED CHICKEN RESTAURANT / Floyd N. Standard, Manager". But I don't know if this is the Dallas Alamo Plaza, or perhaps the one in Carlsbad, NM. Or maybe there were more -- the filename is "Oklahoma_OklahomaCity_AlamoPlazaInterior_small".

If the image doesn't show up, go to the seller's site: http://www.judnick.com/InteriorsRestaurants.htm
http://www.judnick.com/images/Oklahoma_OklahomaCity_AlamoPlazaInterior_small.jpg
The owner is selling a high-resolution version of the card for $1.50... wonder if it would be worth it to see the other side.

Sounds like there were quite a few of them:

"Using a modified white stucco version of the front of the Alamo in San Antonio as a facade, he built the first Alamo Plaza Hotel Courts, which opened in 1929 on Elm Street in East Waco.... In time, Torrance owned seven motels in five southern states under the name Alamo Plaza. Others used the name as well; of the twenty-four eventually using the name in ten states, eleven were Torrance's."

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/TT/fto38.html

[RobertB]

That Handbook of Texas article is chock full o' reasons why at least some part of the Alamo Plaza should be kept intact -- glad you found it! Here's some more tidbits:

He developed the idea of a clean, well-maintained, well-organized, comfortable, and respectable motel unit with strictly enforced, stringent rules of propriety and was probably the first person in Texas to put this concept into practical application on a widespread basis...

He pioneered many of the improvements in arrangements and services, which the vast network of motel chains that later came into existence adopted, and in 1936 was one of the first to put telephones in guest rooms.
It may look sad now -- the diametric opposite of those "stringent rules of propriety" -- but the Alamo Plaza is a true icon of the Automotive Revolution that has been the primary driver of all development in the US for almost a hundred years. Plus, it's just cool. I really hope the developers have the foresight to keep some element of the Alamo Plaza in their final design.

[el Zilcho]

^It sounds like the Dallas location was not one of the original ones Torrance developed. Anyway, this site has a good summary of all the locations, not many left. http://www.highwayhost.org/

[trolleyguy]

I didn't get to attend the oak cliff town hall meeting but here is a summary of what was talked about. All exciting stuff for the cliff!

http://oakcliffblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/04/more-than-a-few-words-about-oa.html

[dfwcre8tive]

Oak Cliff Activists Say Dallas Can Keep its Slogan. They've Got a Better One.
By Robert Wilonsky, Friday, Apr. 9 2010 @ 12:22PM
Categories: News
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2010/04/oak_cliff_activists_say_dallas.php

​Says Bike Friendly Oak Cliff and Go Oak Cliff, the slogan you see above is intended to counter the more familiar Dallas motto: "Live Large. Think Big." It's precisely that kind of thinking, writes Jason Roberts, that got the city where it is today, for better or worse. Hence this new slogan, presented in advance of this weekend's Better Block art installation-slash-political statement that'll take place during the second annual Oak Cliff Art Crawl.


Writes the BMOC at BFOC:

It's the "Think BIG" campaigns which brought us underground mall-tunnels, giant inhospitable concrete plazas in front of City Hall, multi-million dollar signature bridges, and half-billion dollar hotels, that do nothing to create a sense of community, and a neighborhood which people value and want to live, work, and play in. Dallas deserves more than simply having a skyline that looks great in an airport snowglobe. We recognize that $125 Million dollars is being spent to get us a great looking suspension bridge, while little over $2 Million Dollars was spent in 2000 to create the infrastructure improvements to the small Bishop Arts District block in North Oak Cliff, which has truly created a sense of place and driven real economic change in the area. You could say the exact same for the Katy Trail in Uptown...it's cost was exponentially less than the Cityplace project built nearby (which promised the creation of a "lively neighborhood"). The money spent on a single mile of highway could create 10 Bishop Arts Districts. That's the key to "THINK small", and the reality to creating a city worth living in.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/thinksmall.jpg

[trolleyguy]

Oak Cliff Activists Say Dallas Can Keep its Slogan. They've Got a Better One.
By Robert Wilonsky, Friday, Apr. 9 2010 @ 12:22PM
Categories: News
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2010/04/oak_cliff_activists_say_dallas.php

​Says Bike Friendly Oak Cliff and Go Oak Cliff, the slogan you see above is intended to counter the more familiar Dallas motto: "Live Large. Think Big." It's precisely that kind of thinking, writes Jason Roberts, that got the city where it is today, for better or worse. Hence this new slogan, presented in advance of this weekend's Better Block art installation-slash-political statement that'll take place during the second annual Oak Cliff Art Crawl.



http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/thinksmall.jpg

I definitely like the concept but not the slogan.
:confused: