CDA Website

[CityLove]

Has anyone seen this thing?

www.downtowndallas.org

It's rather pitiful. The "events" calendar is empty. The scrolling message mentions that the last out-to-lunch concert is October 28. And the most up-to-date thing on the front page is about the City Lights Holiday lighting, which was in November.

This doesn't look good for DTD, and it's not helpful at all to someone who wants to know what's going on in downtown. The weekly e-mail newsletter is posted, but it's expired as of today, and there's no way listed on the website to subscribe.

I guess I just wanted to vent my frustrations. The CDA is supposed to be an advocate for downtown, but I'm not seeing that come through in this website.

On a separate but related note, the Downtown Resident's Council, as I can tell, has no website for information. Is there an e-mail list to subscribe to for more information? How does one find out about these if they aren't posted in your building, other than e-mailing Don Raines directly (which seems rather inefficient)?

OK, I'm done ranting now.

[AndyIvey]

Didn't they just have a change in leadership? This may be part of the adjustment period.

[CTroyMathis]

No offense to anyone here who's affiliated with the CDA, but, I've never cared much for the information available at their site all these years. Although I've only eMailed them twice, ages ago, I'm batting a thousand on zero response.

[gc]

^ Me too Troy. I even offered once to help update the site....with no response.

[Tnekster]

OK, I'm done ranting now.

No, please continue, the site sux.

[jsoto3]

On a separate but related note, the Downtown Resident's Council, as I can tell, has no website for information. Is there an e-mail list to subscribe to for more information? How does one find out about these if they aren't posted in your building, other than e-mailing Don Raines directly (which seems rather inefficient)?
http://www.downtowndallas.org/residentscouncil.asp

Send an email to info@downtowndallas.org to subscribe to the regular Residents Council emails.

[CityLove]

http://www.downtowndallas.org/residentscouncil.asp

Send an email to info@downtowndallas.org to subscribe to the regular Residents Council emails.


Downtown Parks Master Plan. Following several sessions and a charette in mid-2003, the Residents Council recommended specific locations, programming, amenities and maintenance issues to the Plan consultants.
Downtown Grocery Store. In February 2004, residents met with developers of the new Downtown grocery store to share ideas about inventory, atmosphere and operations.

Next meeting: Tuesday, December 14, 2004, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Topic: Holiday Social, A Neighborhood Meet & Greet
Location: TBD
Address: TBD


*Even this page is sadly out of date. Thanks for the tip on the e-mail list though.

[DalLove444]

I agree with you wholeheartedly TG2, this website is SAD!! The part of the site thats especially sad is this one: http://www.downtowndallas.com/downtown_partner/master_accomp.html, it still talking about Press Box Grill as if it were JUST OPENING!!

And this: http://www.downtowndallas.com/downtown_partner/master_works.html talks about Kul Designs as if it were NOT OPEN YET!!!

And dont waste your time clicking on the **TAKE A TOUR** part of the site!! Youll just be pulled into a nice black hole!!!!!!!! :firegrin:

OK TG2, im done ranting 2, LOL

[JBB]

Was I the only one who saw "CDA website" in the title of this thread and felt disappointment when it wasn't a resurface of CD Allen?

[Tnekster]

^Who is CD Allen anyway?

[CityLove]

Was I the only one who saw "CDA website" in the title of this thread and felt disappointment when it wasn't a resurface of CD Allen?

LOL. Sorry to get your hopes up! I almost met him once. He called the trolley b/c he'd left his wallet on board one of the streetcars. I was actually hoping to find it so I could meet this enigma. Alas, it was never turned in.

[gc]

^Who is CD Allen anyway?

Just a former forumer that is no longer around.

[effulgent]

I have a little back story about this from talking to Kristin, who is always at the Downtown Resident's Council meetings.

The CDA only has four paid staff, and does the work of about 5-6 people on average. The web page is having a major overhaul done on it, and should be ready sometime in January or February the last I heard.

One of the things that they're going to do is put quite a bit more on the Resident's Council site, including a blog by resident council members. I offered to help with the blog maintenance once they get the web site running the way they want.

Unfortunately, with a small non-profit group like the CDA, it's hard to get things done as quickly as would be helpful. I'm sure that if a member of the Resident's Council were to offer to do some volunteer work on at least keeping the page updated, that it would be more than welcome.

The CDA does send out twice-monthly e-mails talking about news and events happening downtown, as well as e-mails that tell us when the Resident's Council meetings are. This month, they're on December 20th, at Neiman Marcus, more information to be announced later.

Also, they are very open to ideas for inexpensive marketing of the meetings to the downtown residents. We supposedly have 3,500 people living downtown, but only 20-30 residents make it to each meeting. The head of the council, Don Raimes, is actually a very nice man. He wants the resident's council to work and to grow. I've got a few ideas on what to do to get the word out, but I'll talk to Don at the next meeting.

[CityLove]

Oh I don't want it to seem like I'm bashing the CDA (though it probably does). I'm very glad to hear that they're working on it. I'd love to get involved w/the Resident's Council. I know Don from the trolley, and he's a WONDERFUL guy, one of the most hard-working men I've ever met. Thanks for the update, effulgent--it is much appreciated!

[effulgent]

Oh I don't want it to seem like I'm bashing the CDA (though it probably does). I'm very glad to hear that they're working on it. I'd love to get involved w/the Resident's Council. I know Don from the trolley, and he's a WONDERFUL guy, one of the most hard-working men I've ever met. Thanks for the update, effulgent--it is much appreciated!

Trust me - it's frustrated me too. There were quite a few months where I didn't go to the meetings because I just didn't know when or where they were. We go as often as we can. That's why I volunteered to help with a blog. I thought it would be neat to have a "what is it like to live downtown?" blog. Because after "How much does a loft like that cost? (rude turds)", the thing everyone always asks is "What's it like to live downtown?" We can talk about problems we see, good food we've eaten, events that are coming up or have come up, from the perspective of the downtown residents. I think it could be quite interesting if we get good participation!

[Tnekster]

We supposedly have 3,500 people living downtown, but only 20-30 residents make it to each meeting.

That is not very surprising. Our homeowners association has 200-250 homes and we have had annual meetings each year to discuss financials, major purchases and what not. I go every hear and am usually one of 7 that attend.

[Tnekster]

Just a former forumer that is no longer around.

Isn't this person banned? What did he/she do or is that classified?

[gc]

Classified :)

[antoinekhuu]

they have update news for this week:
http://www.downtowndallas.com/current.htm
This is the only page that I frequently read in the CDA website