Cleaning up "upper" Garland Road in East Dallas

[ScottH]

The lochwood thread and the Emerald Tower thread got me thinking....is it possible to restore Garland Road to it's one time splendor? I'm talking about the area from North of Jupiter all the way down down to Buckner. This seems the area most in need.

Some of you seem to have really interesting ideas on this. Any thoughts? Or do you think it's too far gone?

[Lakewooder]

I really don't ever remember any splendor on the northern part of Garland Road -- after all, you are going to Garland.

OK, Lochwood was kind of nice at one time with the round Citizen's Bank, but not splendid.

However, improvements to the road are in the works from what I understand, starting at Casa Linda -- anyone have any more details?

I think Garland Road improvements would truly help another part of Dallas be revitalized. Casa View has a lot of potential for rebuilding -- probably won't find too much opposition to McMansions there.

[cer10]

The empty lot on the corner of Garland and Buckner - where the gas station used to be - is finally being replaced. Construction is already underway - it appears to be another bank - a Wachovia, I think. It's better than an empty lot, though. Also, if the planned reconstruction of the Garland/Buckner instersection ever gets done, that should improve the Case Linda area. Further north on Garland, the neigborhoods that border Garland road, other than Lochwood, aren't very nice so I don't hold out much hope for improvement.

[jdwillis]

Without high development and redevelopment standards those neighborhoods will tend to never be "very nice".

There is change in the wind in Garland. Garland has some high development standards along 635. The now vacant lot where the Eastgate Apartment Community (a swank place when it was built in the 1970's-now demolished) is attracting the attention of the Wal-Mart that is now at Garland and Kingsley, which will open up the former Apollo Drive-In Theater location for redevelopment. Garland Road, from 635 to Miller is being examined for redevelopment possibilities which means Garland Road in Dallas is also a good candidate for redevelopment standards.

It might be a good idea for Dallas and Garland to coordinate these kinds of standards to encourage good, high quality redevelopment throughout the region. There are some good developments scattered along Garland Road from the East Grand/Gaston split all the way to 635. There is no reason why more couldn't be developed. There are some nice areas along Garland Road in Dallas. The not so nice areas have their own strengths as well. Have you seen the sizes of the lots of some of those houses? They are very large. They accommodate residential redevelopment, McMansion style, very well, and at least one has even been built in the neighborhood behind Jakk's. More will come.

This area, Garland Road in Dallas and Garland, is a prime example of how and why suburban redevelopment must hold a more prominent position in both Urban and Suburban areas. All of this part of East Dallas was built on a suburban model. It suffers the same plight as all the first ring suburbs. It requires the same attention. Casa Linda, Casa View, Lochwood, they all could use help from the City of Dallas with regard to better redevelopment in an effort to raise the quality of life for residents in those areas. Raise the quality of life and everything else goes up too-even property values. I would suggest that improving these outer neighborhoods will also improve more centrally located neighborhoods like Lakewood.

[tamtagon]

I would suggest that improving these outer neighborhoods will also improve more centrally located neighborhoods like Lakewood.

word

[ScottH]

Using Casa Linda and Casa View in the same sentence seems strange to me. Like comparing Highland Park to Parkdale or something. Casa Linda neighborhood seems to be doing great (property values, etc). Casa View? Hmm...it sure seems r.o.u.g.h.

When I say "it's once splendor times"... Does anyone remember the Lochwood Mall? Pretty ahead of it's times when it was "going good". The restaurants were solid around there. Olive Garden, a good steak place, etc.

But, I think there are some great points by everyone. Thanks!