The Redevlopment of the Plaza apartment site

[SDORN]

Ok, this this directly affects me.
Since I live in these apartments.
I wasn't really in shock when I found out the news
Our apartments have been sold, we are only allowed to sign a 3 month lease. Demolition will begin most likely in the fall, the new construction will begin in early 2008.
Man, history smites me twice this year, first the My store I work at decides to close By the way is 10 days away. Now I am about to lose our home of 6 years..
Well what can you expect the real estate here in East Dallas
is red hot. Since they built Central Market here in 2002 and tore down the clubs. I will post a few of the old clubs on my flickr page.

I will get some plaza pix later on posted.

[SDORN]

This meeting was held May 9th at the Plaza media room/workout center
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7756/plazaapartmentsmeetingook4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[SDORN]

Hi all Just got out of the meeting here at the Plaza Greystar bought our apartments and will be demolishing them soon.
If they can get all of the people out by September , 2007, demolition will begin.
The plan is to build townhome style rental units that will be three stories, averaging 1300 sqaure feet per unit. Target tenet is multifamilies. was told rent would be significantly higher than the rents we are paying now. Mine is about $900, when asked about average Price for the new units, Larry from Greystar had no answer. As for drawings he had no rendering or plans on him, but they answered all of the question and were helpful as they could be.
We meet again in two weeks for more discussion.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/3296/graystar1oj5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/84/residentscb7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8282/tunedinqp4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[amshepar]

I live in some condomininiums in this area in an older building. I bought over here on pure speculation that this area was going to be next to redevelop. Looks like if i hold on for a few more years it will be great. I have never experienced having to be out in 3 months like you are but i'm not the least bit suprised in them demoing these apts. I looked at them at one point when i was still renting and when they told me it was section 8 i was in shock. Needless to say, I can see why the developer wants to tear them down. This is not in any way a personal attack on you, but after seeing some of the people that were residents, the new development will help improve the area. Between this and the Bush Library, you may want to consider a condo for yourself over here now while it is still cheap. The cost of the condos in the area right now is way cheaper than renting anyways.

I suspect an up to date apartment complex will be built here. With the new laws in University Park that do not allow for multiple unrelated people to be in one dwelling, there will be a high demand for nice 3 and 4 bedroom apartments on this side of 75.

[frankchitown]

At least you got a meeting. A few years ago at my place in Oaklawn I just got a note on the door saying the place was being demolished in 60 days.

[AZDallasite]

i don't understand. if you had a lease with the previous landlord then they must recognize that lease and cannot kick you out unless you're in violation of that lease. Otherwise, once all of the current leases in place expire, then they have every right to demolish. Now they can try to buy tennants out of their leases. This is quite common here in Scottsdale where many apartments have gone condo.

[SDORN]

[QUOTE=amshepar]I live in some condomininiums in this area in an older building. I bought over here on pure speculation that this area was going to be next to redevelop. Looks like if i hold on for a few more years it will be great. I have never experienced having to be out in 3 months like you are but i'm not the least bit suprised in them demoing these apts. I looked at them at one point when i was still renting and when they told me it was section 8 i was in shock. Needless to say, I can see why the developer wants to tear them down. This is not in any way a personal attack on you, but after seeing some of the people that were residents, the new development will help improve the area. Between this and the Bush Library, you may want to consider a condo for yourself over here now while it is still cheap. The cost of the condos in the area right now is way cheaper than renting anyways.

I would rather have a house than overpriced condo, however. I am afraid that this part of Dallas in general is getting overpriced now. Which I hate. The location is perfect Old town, smu, two supermarket, bookstore, and more.
This areas is relative safe and I love living here.
I feel as they are running out the low rent so the landlord can make hand over fist in money>i have move in September and I don't want to live in crappy area.
Oh yes SMU is taking over everything.
all for the sake Of the damn presidential library.
We don't need library. I don't care what president you are
They tore down University garden so they can build it.
University park runs them them off, now they come and tear down my home, and high price rents come in, while the SMU students party while we bust our butts to scratch out a living.

Sorry Its been a crazy year, and I will miss home of six years. My work place just went out of business.so I am looking for another job.
Scott

[monogodo]

This is not in any way a personal attack on you, but after seeing some of the people that were residents, the new development will help improve the area. .
How can you tell anything at all about what kind of person the residents are based on a picture of them attending a meeting?

[NMBS1]

They're also going to pull down Signature Pointe, right?

[amshepar]

i made no mention to basing the apartment off of the picture. I did mention that i took a tour of the property though and saw all i needed to of the people in the property to know not to liver there. Hope that clarifies for you.

Aside from this building, i was driving down skillman yesterday on the way to the LA Fitness in Lake Highlands when I had never noticed before but there are two or three apartment complexes that clearly have no residents. My guess is that the stretch of skillman from university all the way to abrams will soon be torn down and rebuilt. The land is too valuable right there to allow for the slums that currently exist.

[SDORN]

Thank for the update, my photo assignment for tommorow is the above building. Question is the names of the above units?
any clues amshepar?

[amshepar]

They are on east side of skillman just north of NW HWY and i believe they are next to each other just going off the top of my head. its pretty obvious though when driving down skillman i just don't know the names. One of them that is empty is so bright at night i can't believe the owner is paying utility bills on the place as it stands.

[LakeHighlands]

Bella Palms is the empty apartment on Skillman. It was Ashton Point and Springs.
Within the next decade almost every apartment complex in Lake Highlands, Vickery Meadows and surrounding areas will be bulldozed. These structures are too old to maintain and the land values are getting to high to justify keeping these structures operating in their current form. Taxes are going up on properties that are either losing money or barely scratching by as it is. There are several complexes under LOI now that the LHTC will close. I would recommend not moving into any apartment in LH, VM or surrounding areas if you want to live somewhere that will be around for a long time. I can't say the name of this complex but this is a complex that is high-end, newer, and much nicer than everything else in LH and it might face the wrecking ball. If this apartment goes, then no one is safe.

[hamiltonpl]

They are on east side of skillman just north of NW HWY and i believe they are next to each other just going off the top of my head. its pretty obvious though when driving down skillman i just don't know the names. One of them that is empty is so bright at night i can't believe the owner is paying utility bills on the place as it stands.
Timbercreek? That's a future Trammell Crow retail development.

[LakeHighlands]

Now to come to think of it. There are several empty apartments on Skillman as we speak. :woot:

[Lakewooder]

So I guess Ed Oakley is already at work!

[amshepar]

I drove by again and it was Bella Palms. Also, the apartment complex at the northeast corner of Skillman and Walnut Hill has a "Proposed Zoning" sign, so that one must be more on track to be bulldozed than the others. I think the LA Fitness/MiCocina/Picasso's (which also includes everyone's favorite- CVS) shopping center is helping spur these developments.

On another note, The SMU girl that was missing and was found dead, was a resident of the old towne neigborhood. Initial thoughts are that drug use was related to the death.

[SDORN]

The Plaza Apartments were built in 1972, so I have been told that apartments have asbetos in the walls. Apartments built in 1978 or later do not have asbestos.
so thay may have played apart in getting them to agree to demolition.

[Lakewooder]

I just heard that another complex has been sold in the area. It's the Windsor House on University between Greenville and Skilllman.

[SDORN]

Ok more photo tommorow.

[SDORN]

Pamela and I have officially moved out of the Plaza apartments, I went by today and paid my last electric bill. Gloria, the office assistant there told me. November looks to be demo day for the Plaza. only 45 more people left to leave. My apartment complex is 44 years old and much bigger. however my apartment is smaller. Signature point across the street will go in october. Unfornately most of the trees on the premises will be taken out as well. I loved that place better then where I am now. Such a shame.

[SDORN]

Today should also be the last day or people to be out of The Plaza, fences go also go up this month. Whoa this is going to be something to watch!!! Tow Demos at one time, Boy it the landscape gonna change on Lovers or what?

I live just across from The Signature and right down the street from The Plaza. I am watching and waiting.

[SDORN]

My last post was Oct 31, 2007, here is an update four months schedule the demo fences went up at noon today I saw them up when I was driving by . I took photos the day before, funny thing I had no idea when they were going up. I did notice they had security walking the primise 24/7.
Photos to follow soon

[SDORN]

The asbestos team has been in place for the last two and half months now. They are basicly ripping everything down to the studs. the balconies and stairwells are being ripped off doors are being taken off;carpets and shelves thrown out into large piles, Doors are being ripped off their hinges and thrown into the heap. I went by to try and get three doors from the place the head of the team said no, due to the asbestos Thought the solid wood door would have useful in replacing a couple of bad ones in my new house. I did manage to find my door and they let me at least take The apartment number off it. So much for saving some money on new doors, since they have throw all of the door away due to the asbestos issue I totally understand . Anyway I will put the number on new door i will purchase and paint the door the original color it had when we moved in to the Plaza, then try to get a small replica of the big sign seen from Lovers and Amesbury I am being told that July 7, 2008 Bobby Lindamood demolition will be cleared to start demolishing the complex. I have some new photos i took yesterday on my OM1 Hopefully I can ge them up tomorrow night.
For those who haven't tread the begining of the thread. My wife and I lived in Plaza for the first 6 year of our married life.
On the new door I plan to do a short history on a small brass plaque of the The Plaza. The original name was The Summit.

I stilll have a key and some documents from the Plaza and I will assemble a framed college, with photo of before during and after demolition, i will hang that one the wall next to the door. When I do it I will take some photos of it and post it here

Here is one I took with my Holga on June 25, 2007 Of the sign and part of the complex

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/805/theplaza1eh6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/805/theplaza1eh6.8f5fb9d520.jpg[/URL
Here is another from the winter of 2001 taken with an Eckerd Disposible camera
[URL=http://imageshack.us]http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8188/theplazawinter2001ov5.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=341&i=theplaza1eh6.jpg)
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8188/theplazawinter2001ov5.581848a662.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=205&i=theplazawinter2001ov5.jpg)

[Random Traffic Guy]

They should have let you take the doors, and recycle anything else that they can... asbestos is such an overblown issue/scam. You freakin' lived there for years, in suspicious priximity to The Door of Doom
http://icons.iconator.com/637/ICONATOR_0e023ecbb3dd79b026ef419abfe50af2.gif

[SDORN]

Thanks Man I am going back July 7, after the asbestos people are gone to get some brick and whatever else I can get.

[SDORN]

here is a photo of the asbestos abatement going on in The Plaza taken with my Olympus OM1

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/6112/theplazaasbetosabatemenaq0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/6112/theplazaasbetosabatemenaq0.1f85990eb2.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=57&i=theplazaasbetosabatemenaq0.jpg)

[SDORN]

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6382/plazadumpstertq3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6382/plazadumpstertq3.198ab11899.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=208&i=plazadumpstertq3.jpg)

[SDORN]

Demo of these apts will begin July 7, 2008 Bobby Lindermood SR of Lindamood demo will be doing this one . say goobye to these 1972 apartment once called the Summit.

[UniversityMeadows]

Demo of these apts will begin July 7, 2008 Bobby Lindermood SR of Lindamood demo will be doing this one . say goobye to these 1972 apartment once called the Summit.

Hey there Scott, glad to see you posting about your old stomping grounds. It looks like the demo is well underway. We are down to the basic structural elements. Sounds like we should see the whole thing down starting on the 7th. I will see if I can snap a few pics tonight for you.

[SDORN]

I went by there yesterday on my day off from work. My apartment which were 246a are down to the wood frame most of the complex has the chimmeys gone. and the each wall from the section of building has been removed where the asbestos was I think one building left untouched. at the moment. Lindamood has moved his equipment to the Skillman side. Llooks like he is one schedule for this this one. I will see about get photo of this one up tonight I took some yesterday.

It still pains me to see this one go They were good apartments There were crime problems while I was there for 6 years. we were blessed. My wife Pamela is sad too.

Happy Fourth Everybody!!!

[SDORN]

Well I am glad I took some last photos On July 3, 2008. I talked to Bobby Lindamood Sr on the phone one the way home from work. turns out they have knocked down almost the entire complex except one building which they have not yet done the abatement I will check it out in the morning. While I was at work Saturday they began knocking it down.

[chicago_transplant]

I drove by it yesterday down Lovers and it looked like there were still ac ouple buildings up.

[SDORN]

I got some great shot of this one
http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/6269/26476905144c528832e4lx0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/6269/26476905144c528832e4lx0.f612e957f1.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=60&i=26476905144c528832e4lx0.jpg)

[SDORN]

This one is a sad shot the building to the right was the one we lived in 2nd story . It's next.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6010/theplaza2nj6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6010/theplaza2nj6.90e8a39ac5.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=294&i=theplaza2nj6.jpg)

[prspective]

Are they going to save any of the trees? They are preserving the trees at the Lake Highlands redevelopment up on Skillman. Mature trees are so important to this neighborhood and East Dallas. This property is on Skillman and is the beginning of the Skillman makeover going north. It sure would be a shame if all the new developments going along Skillman, ie. The Plaza, The Village View, Timbercreek redevlopments all loose their mature trees.

[SDORN]

Not many if any will be saved. Sad part abou develpment. The picture we have will be all we have of the trees. Many at the Plaza were marked to be removed.

From July 9, 2008 Fuji s5100

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1460/26543894099bca7ecf82bvp7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1460/26543894099bca7ecf82bvp7.f1aecbb296.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=155&i=26543894099bca7ecf82bvp7.jpg)