| Dallas tomorrow It's important for downtown projects to thrive 12/31/2000 Want to make these civic projects a reality? Keep up-to-date with their progess and connect to their Web sites through this information. We'll keep our Web map updated throughout the year to report how each one is progressing.
McKINNEY AVENUE TROLLEY - The nostalgic trolley line is extending into the Cityplace development to the north and hopes to extend into the West End. But negotiations with Southwestern Bell and TXU about the costs of underground service lines along the route have been discouraging. We hope trolley and utility officials can find a compromise.
DART LINES - The opening of a $50 million subway station at Cityplace in December ushered in a new era for Dallas Area Rapid Transit's light rail system. The real estate activity generated by the station is a reminder of the vast economic benefits of the rail lines. Dallas should encourage DART construction to remain on a fast track, so more growth can be stimulated along the rail corridors.
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - The Center for the Performing Arts Foundation has embarked on a fund-raising drive to build this vital addition to the downtown Dallas Arts District. The center would provide desperately needed new space for the Dallas Opera, the Dallas Theater Center and smaller arts organizations. With the commitment from the foundation to raise major funding, the City Council should give the center top billing in the 2002 municipal bond issue.
GRIGGS PARK - Redesign of this park is an important element in continued Uptown District residential development. The 6.2-acre park can be a quiet place amid thousands of new apartments. With the Uptown Public Improvement District's agreement to fund architectural plans for Griggs Park, the city should be prepared to finance the redesign.
LOVE FIELD - A master plan has been delayed until March to give consultants more time to consider the environmental impact of expansion. City officials and consultants should consider a cohesive strategy that permits Love Field to become a quality mid-size passenger airport with most freight operations moved to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport or Redbird Airport. Voluntary limits on overnight flights and a redesigned passenger terminal would make Love Field a good neighbor.
KATY TRAIL - The immense popularity of this jogging and bicycling trail along the old M-K-T Railroad tracks is one of the city's success stories. But the trail needs much more to ensure its continued use. Public donations are needed by the Friends of the Katy Trail to build a softer surface and benches along the way. The Uptown Public Improvement District also should be encouraged to continue funding police patrols along the path.
RAILROAD MUSEUM - A renewed effort has begun to bring the Age of Steam Museum at Fair Park to the West End Historic District. The museum features a wide variety of antique trains and railroad cars. Plans call for antique buses, trolleys and cars to be included. The West End was a transportation hub in the early 1900s. When a site is named and fund-raising begins the public should give strong support to this project.
WEST END PLAZA - The plaza will provide an important link between the historic West End and the new American Airlines Center and Victory development. It is vital that these two areas be connected to make sure the new arena is not isolated from the rest of downtown. Limited funds have kept the West End Plaza design from achieving its intended impact. The plaza should be developed as soon as possible. But a more attractive design should be pursued when there is additional money available from the arena's tax increment financing district.
NASHER SCULPTURE GARDEN - City officials hope to break ground on this project in January. When completed in 2002, it will offer the works of the world's most acclaimed sculptors from developer Raymond Nasher's private collection. There are still design issues to be resolved and a few perimeter details to be worked out. Any remaining hurdles should be removed quickly so construction can go full speed ahead.
WOODALL RODGERS EXTENSION - Most of the funding is in place for an extension of the Woodall Rodgers Freeway over the Trinity River to connect with Beckley Avenue. The connection between downtown and the Methodist Hospital area will be critical to economic development. But nearly $2.7 million in private funding is still needed to make this one of the "signature bridges" in the Trinity Improvements program.
DOWNTOWN PLAZAS - An $11.5 million fund-raising campaign will be launched this spring to restore the historic Old Red Courthouse. County officials have committed $14 million to the project, and the state is kicking in $462,000. The Dallas Historical Society's priceless Texana treasures will be housed in a new museum in the courthouse. And the clock tower removed long ago from Old Red will be restored. The courthouse should be made the centerpiece of efforts to redesign the John F. Kennedy Memorial and Dallas County Historical Plazas.
ARENA - The $300 million American Airlines Center is proving to be as spectacular as advertised. The key now is to make this building a magnet for more economic development. But with the Texas economy starting to cool, the Victory development surrounding the center could face challenges. It is important that the city continue to encourage this project.
MAIN STREET RETAIL - Despite millions invested in street improvements, new retail business has not materialized on this "spine" of downtown. A blue-ribbon committee has made some bold and reasoned recommendations regarding the city's role in revitalizing retail business. Tax incentives, more parking and better landscaping would be included. In the fall, the City Council postponed a review until mid-January. It's time to put this project on the front burner.
SIGNATURE BRIDGES - Environmental studies and final approval of a route for the proposed Trinity toll road will have to occur before the city can give serious consideration to five suspension bridges over the Trinity River. But the concept of "signature" bridges designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava is worthwhile. The city should keep searching for ways to speed up the process.
TRINITY LAKES - The planned twin lakes are awaiting an environmental impact study for the North Texas Tollway Authority this spring. The tollway authority will use the study to decide how and where to build a toll road along the Trinity. Excavated dirt from the lake sites would be used to build the foundation for the toll roads if they are constructed on the levees. It is important for the environmental issues to be resolved. The sooner the lakes are built, the sooner the public can begin appreciating the recreational aspects of the Trinity plan.
DALLAS ZOO - The zoo's higher profile and easier access via light rail paid off in 2000. Attendance was nearly 600,000. The popular $7 million Lacerte children's zoo opened in September. But even bigger plans are in the works. A restaurant seating over 300 will be built this year. Next year, the zoo plans an education building with more classrooms. In 2003, an exhibit featuring crocodiles, komodo dragons and other creatures is planned. Public support for these projects is welcome.
OLD CITY PARK - This park featuring a village with authentic homes, office buildings, a school, church, post office and hotel from early day Texas is a true gem. But Old City Park would benefit from additional amenities to attract more visitors. One proposal that deserves serious consideration would be the development of education facilities and a visitors center.
GREAT TRINITY FOREST - Plans are under way to obtain 2,700 acres of wooded flood plain for this project. Voters approved the forest as part of the overall $246 million Trinity improvements bond package in 1998. The Great Trinity Forest will provide a great venue for hiking as well as an elevated education center for nature lovers. With so many other projects on their plate in 2001, it is important for City Council members to keep land acquisition moving forward.
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY - There are big plans for the Natural History Museum. Last month, museum officials announced they want to build a second facility that will be designed by world-acclaimed architect Frank O. Gehry. The new building will give the museum an opportunity to become a national destination. Exhibits now hidden will have a venue. And there would be opportunities for technological advances that cannot be achieved in the museum's current location at Fair Park. The public would be making a sound investment in supporting a campaign to build this facility.
FARMERS MARKET - The news at the Farmers Market last year was not encouraging. City officials thought they had an investor lined up to redevelop Shed No. 2 into an upscale shopping venue with seafood and meat markets and boutiques. But the deal was nixed when the investor wanted to open a liquor store. The setback should inspire city officials to redouble efforts to solve the Farmers Market's problems. With hundreds of apartments opened or under construction within walking distance, this should be one of downtown's most popular venues.
COTTON BOWL - Dallas' bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics could bring an end to the venerable Cotton Bowl. The old facility will have to be demolished to make way for a much larger stadium to handle opening and closing ceremonies. Even if the city's bid is unsuccessful, it is apparent Dallas needs a new Cotton Bowl that could be domed or have a retractable roof.
LATINO CULTURAL CENTER - Ground has been broken on a center to reflect Dallas' fastest-growing population. The center will provide a venue for various Latino artists and give Dallas residents a chance to learn more about the culture and heritage of this community.
Want to help make these projects a reality? Go to our interactive map on the editorial page of our Web site, www.dallasnews.com. Then you can connect to Web sites for many of these civic projects. We'll keep our Web map updated throughout the year to report how each one is progressing.
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