Council Briefing on New Urbanism

[Cliff Dweller]

Did anyone else attend this? I went for half the day; it was very interesting and I give credit to City staff for trying to educate the council on this issue. Some got it, some didn't, and two didn't attend. . .

Here is Mary Suhm's memo:

http://dallascityhall.com/council_briefings/briefings0109/BackgroundInformation_012109.pdf

And Unfair Park has two posts about it:

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2009/01/from_the_big_seminar_at.php

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2009/01/dallas_by_design_if_you_can_on.php

[dfwcre8tive]

Angela Hunt posted a good blog entry about this topic on her website: http://angelahunt.com/

[mjblazin]

Regarding Ms. Hunt's points:
- We are spending billions to move suburbanites, but city of Dallas is not paying it. Surburbanites pay almost all the bills and have the votes, both popular and in representation. It's a myth that surbanites are getting some kind of free ride. You may disagree with their choices, but they pay the bills. Golden Rule: He/she who has the gold makes the rules.
- Congestion may be our friend to a point. If it becomes too bad, then decisionmakers that live in suburbs and exurbs simply transfer the jobs to those locations. Congestion can be an influence for some people. Increased congestion plus failure to fix schools and maintain public safety simply drives most people in the opposite direction.