CTroyMathis

DART getting mixed reviews from downtown Plano merchants
01/07/2003

From Staff Reports

Downtown Plano merchants are giving DART light rail mixed reviews so far.

The trains rolled into town one month ago, prompting high expectations. Business owners are counting on DART to bring them new customers - but some merchants are frustrated.

Richard Simmons owns the Coffee Haus, just down the street from DART's downtown Plano station. Simmons describes business generated from train riders as "fair."

"From my perspective, I say it has not met expectations to this point," Simmons.
Since the agency opened its Red Line rail service to Plano, ridership has been high.

"I do know that when I see the trains, they're pretty full," said local businessman and former Plano Mayor Jeran Akers. "There's a lot of people that are riding them."

Simmons believes most of those riders boarding DART in Plano are heading south, to downtown Dallas. He isn't sure people from other cities are traveling north to shop in Plano.

"I would not say that it's a very high percentage of those that ride the train that make downtown (Plano) a destination," Simmons said.

Another downtown merchant, Nikki Tuttle, disagrees.

"We've had a couple come from Fort Worth, we had a couple come from Arlington, and we've had some ladies come from Mockingbird," Tuttle said. "Some of our customers told us they're going to get on the train at Garland and come here."

Tuttle owns Nikki's Gifts and Specialty Cards. She believes downtown Plano's charm, mixing old buildings and new development, will attract new shoppers.

"I think anything takes time," Tuttle said. "But with this being what DART calls a 'destination station,' there's a reason for people to come to this station."

"We just need to find a way to get more interesting things to do in downtown on a more consistent basis," Simmons said.

DART officials told News 8 it will take time to make downtown Plano a destination of choice.

Some other merchants agree with Simmons' assertion that the area needs more restaurants and other types of entertainment to give customers a reason to stay when the stores close.

gc

Interesting article. I have a hard time believing that DT Plano will ever be a destination spot. Just my personal opinion.

I could be wrong, though, I have been wrong ONCE before.

__________________
“We shape our Cities, thereafter they shape us.”

rantanamo

What do you think about downtown Garland as a destination?

tamtagon

Plano may be a destination when the train is coming from Sherman.

freewaytincan

I hope not! Then mass transit will be catering to sprawl, and in a subordinate position. That's the last thing we need...DART as a suburban slave.

gc

rantanamo, I personally don't see DT Garland as a destination spot either. I have nothing against Garland, Plano, Richardson, etc...but I think the "destination spots" for tourists will always be Fort Worth and Dallas.....and perhaps Arlington (Six Flags & Wet N Wild).

With that said, I think DART will increase the pedestrian traffic in Garland and Plano while probably increasing their visibility.

__________________
“We shape our Cities, thereafter they shape us.”

rantanamo

I ask about Garland because of what's already near the line, what is under construction, what is starting construction in the next few months, and what is being discussed. It seems they have slipped a waterpark, outdoor mall, arena/special events center, convention hotel and center, performing arts center expansion, Texas Opry rennovation, and talks with developers to refurbish the downtown square, as well as expand downtown with an urban village to the north in the second half of '02. I found this stuff while reading some of the '02s newsletters. Seems they are going after something.

tamtagon

Are the terminus DART stations essentially functioning as park-and-ride stations? The if the pre- and post- boarding needs of riders are considered, adjacent areas will see more transations. What does the typical suburban rider want before they go to work downtown and what does this rider want before getting into their car to go home.

psukhu

Going to work- Maybe a bagel, coffee, juice, newspaper...

Coming from work- Maybe groceries, take out dinner...


A new 7/11 would do well adjacent to those outer park & ride stations.

A new 7/11 next to the downtown Garland station (north side) would show a sign of progress for that area.

rantanamo

A 7-11? LOL The neighbor to the south of the station is a performing arts center undergoing expansion right now. Downtown Garland has restaurants, city gov, a real Opry for the country music lovers, a gym and many other things within walking distance of their station. 7-11 would not fit the area at all, and certainly wouldn't be an upgrade. The area is pending rezoning as we speak for dense, mixed use, commercial, residential, and retail space in the northern areas of downtown. In their newsletter the mayor and council mentioned talking with post, and want the want to have a neighborhood of brownstones in the area as well as a rennovation of the downtown square.

psukhu

They seem to be moving very slow. The area to the north of the station appears to be blighted.

Post would be great! I own property in Garland and would love to see it's value increase.

freewaytincan

And hopefully, when they hit Rowlett and the NW Corridor, perhaps we will hear the end of the complaints about the rolling roadblocks. I think they are great, and I hope they continue it. It will surely boost DART's ridership even more, I'd think.

bloodandpopcorn

I think that Downtown Garland could, conceivably, become a destination. However, it will take alot of work. Even in downtown Plano, you see some signs of activity as you come in. To the downtown garland station, though, everything just looks like sprawl and warehouses. With some more, larger buildings and some bright lights/signs/video screens (or whatever they choose to do), it could work well. But it will take a LOT of work to catch the riders' eyes and get them out exploring.

tamtagon

Garland could easily appeal to the country & western crowd that is left out of deep ellum and much of downtown. Sometimes, the stockyard is just too far away....

THe upscale rodeo venue is in Mesquite, right? Hum....