Downtown Safety Patrol Officers Receive Praise from Visitors

Downtown Dallas, Inc. works daily to improve the quality of life for Downtown workers, visitors and residents by ensuring the neighborhood remains one of the safest in the city. The Downtown Safety Patrol includes 45 officers patrolling the streets, providing extra eyes and ears for the Dallas Police Department. Each year, Downtown Dallas, Inc. receives hundreds of emails praising the work of the Downtown Safety Patrol. We have listed a few of the recent testimonials from visitors below.

Thank you to our Safety Patrol Officers for making a difference in Downtown Dallas!

“I was staying in downtown Dallas this past Sunday up until Tuesday morning for business and Latonja Hastings saved my identity and my job. I had lost my wallet with all my debit, credit cards, driver’s license and over $1000 in cash. Luckily there are honest people like Latonja Hastings, she found my wallet and was able to track down the hotel I was staying at, and then got the hotel staff to call my work back in Corpus Christi who then gave her my cell phone number. She immediately contacted me and directed me where to go to retrieve my lost wallet with EVERYTHING and every dollar still in my wallet. I felt the need to write this email hoping it reaches her supervisor to praise Latonja for being such an honest person. I’m sure she was just doing her job but anyone could’ve kept the money and put my driver’s license in the mail anonymously. I was so worried about how I would fly back with no driver’s license, and then end up in trouble with my boss for not being at work on time the following day. Latonja you saved me! I can’t thank you enough; the world needs more people like her.”

“This is email is being sent as a thank you to Downtown Dallas Safety Patrol Officer #46. My wife and I are visiting Dallas from Chicago for the weekend. On Saturday morning, we were looking for good recommendations on places visit and places to eat. Officer #46 was very courteous and more than willing to help us. On our way back to our hotel, Officer #46 happened to pass by us again and followed up with us on his recommendations. My wife and I were very pleased we meet this officer and he made our Dallas experience much more enjoyable. Please pass this information along to Officer #46 as well as any supervisor of his.”

“Hello. I am a student teacher. I was traveling through down town Dallas and became lost trying to find the Plaza of America. I stopped over near the 7-11 where two of your safety patrol officers were (Ms. Hastings # 33 and Mr. Guilroy #13). I explained to them that I was down there to take a state test and was all turned around and lost. They were so gracious and kind. Mr. Guilroy asked Ms. Hastings to help me out. She gave me great directions. She then stopped me before I pulled out of the parking lot and gave me even better directions. She took the time to go get a map from her bike and then showed me where we were and how to get to where I needed to go. She was very patient with me and both of them wished me good luck on my test”

“The reason I am writing this is to let you know what fine safety patrol officers you have on your department. I get really nervous when I get lost and especially in an area that I was unfamiliar with. They eased my mind and sent me on my way. I can only hope that all of the officers are like Hastings and Guilroy. They made me feel safe and comfortable and that is so important. I gave them a big thank you and a God Bless.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. We often hear so much of the negative things in life that we forget to let people know what a good job they are doing.”

Malika Crawford Elected Incoming President of Downtown Security Directors Association!

Congratulations to Malika Crawford, Downtown Safety Patrol Officer, for being elected as the incoming 2013 – 2014 President of the Downtown Security Directors Association (DSDA).

Crawford has been with Downtown Dallas, Inc.’s Downtown Safety Patrol (DSP) since its inception in 2004. She currently works as the Training Manager and serves as the liaison for DSP and the Dallas Police Department (DPD), City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management, Dallas County Office of Emergency Management, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Dallas Independent School District Police.

Crawford has also served as Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer of the DSDA, is a Certified Protection Officer and an active member of the American Society for Industrial Security.

The DSDA was created to foster an atmosphere of mutual understanding, cooperation and coordination among security management in Downtown Dallas in the areas of security, crime prevention and emergency preparedness. Downtown Security Directors meet on a monthly basis with DPD to review security issues and crime trends and analysis.

Downtown Dallas, Inc. works daily to improve the quality of life for Downtown workers, visitors and residents by ensuring the neighborhood remains one of the safest in the city. The Downtown Safety Patrol includes 45 officers patrolling the streets, providing extra eyes and ears for the DPD. Thank you to our officers for making a difference in Downtown Dallas!

DDI Honors Downtown Champion: Jeff West

Some called him a Downtown champion, others called him an artist and others will remember Jeff West as a savvy businessman. He was an active member of the DDI Board and Executive Committee. Here around the DDI office we will remember Jeff as the guy full of life. You always knew when Jeff was in the room. His laugh was contagious. He always seemed genuinely interested in what you had to say, he could always relate and he gave the best hugs around.

Jeff West worked behind the scenes for many years to better Downtown Dallas and improve the city’s arts. He died Monday at 54.  West’s work included 11 years as executive director of the Sixth Floor Museum and five years as managing director of the Dallas Theater Center. At the time of his death, he was working as vice-president at Matthews Southwest, the development company responsible for the Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel.

West helped bring the American Film Institute brand to Dallas during the 3-year run of the AFI Dallas International Film Festival. That event is now known simply as the Dallas International Film Festival.

Downtown Dallas, Inc. President & CEO, John Crawford recalled West’s dedication to the city thru his work in numerous non-profits over the last 20 years in everything from the film festival to working to bring conventions to town.

“One of the marks of success is that you leave a place better than when you started.”  Crawford said.  ”Jeff West accomplished that with all he did as an advocate for Downtown and the arts. It’s a sad day for all of us.”

Save the Date – DDI Spring Forum

Please mark your calendars for the Downtown Dallas, Inc. Spring Forum. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings will be giving a State of Downtown Address on May 24^th at the Sheraton Hotel. 

He should have plently to say as we continue to celebrate a monumental year for Downtown. As you may recall from our Annual Meeting, 2012 is set to be a big year with the openings of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Belo Garden, The Park and more.

We hope you will join us in the celebration by again “Investing Yourself” in Downtown. How will you “Invest Yourself”? 

Season Greetings to Members & Friends of Downtown Dallas, Inc.

2012 is set to be another monumental year for Downtown and Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI), as we celebrate the completion of a number of significant projects. Dallas has been leading much of the nation in economic progress, and the trend is most apparent Downtown; from the construction and recent opening of the Dallas Omni Convention Center Hotel to our world-class Arts District. Openings like the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Belo Garden, The Park and completion of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science will add even more recreation, greenspace, culture and iconic architecture to our Downtown. Cranes will continue to fly high on new residential projects such as Museum Tower, Lone Star Gas Lofts and the Continental Building, as well as pivotal mixed use developments such as the Grand Ricchi at 1600 Pacific, 1401 Elm, 500 S. Ervay and the Statler Hilton.

After just over a decade since the creation of the first Tax Increment Finance district in Downtown, which signified a common vision of the public and private sectors of a revitalized city center, today we are celebrating the realization of urban life. It is a reality of employees living where they work, and working where they play; a reality of entrepreneurial restaurants, a vibrant night life, a resurging commercial office market, and landmark projects that have moved beyond “planned” to groundbreakings and openings. There is a new heartbeat in the center of our city—a new generation of employees, residents and visitors that are changing our environment. Downtown has shifted from a one-dimensional commercial office center to one of many facets – living, shopping, dining, working, arts, recreation and public transportation. We no longer gaze at Downtown through a rendering of the future – instead we can see and feel tangible successes on the streets every day.

For several years now, the change Downtown has been most noticeably pronounced in its residential community. Historic structures, mid-century office towers and new construction have become home to thousands of new residents in the City’s core. Looking back to 1995, the Central Business District (CBD) was home to only 200 residents. Today you will find more than 7,000 urban dwellers in the CBD, and more than 37,000 who call one of the other 15 Downtown districts that comprise Dallas’s city center their home. All of this has created an exciting vibrancy Downtown that is now attracting major companies as well.

There is no question Downtown is growing by leaps and bounds, and this is just the beginning. Downtown Dallas 360,  a new action-oriented strategic plan for Downtown, is in full implementation mode creating new public-private partnerships, focused heavily on activating our streets, developing transit oriented development (TOD), housing and parking.

One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the opportunity to say “Thank you” and wish you the very best for the New Year. Happy holidays from all of us at DDI. As goes Downtown, so goes Dallas!

P.S. Mark your calendar for January 24 to attend our Annual Meeting & Luncheon. Go to http://www.downtowndallas.org for details.

John F. Crawford

President & CEO

Downtown Dallas, Inc.

Museum Tower Tops Out

The Museum Tower topped out as the construction reached the 42nd floor progressing toward a late 2012 completion date. The 42-story Museum Tower condominium building has been under construction for more than a year in the Arts District. The luxury residential tower won’t open its doors until next fall, but the high-rise has already made a big change to Downtown skyline.

The project’s General Contractor is Austin Commercial; designer is LA-based architect Scott Johnson; developers are Brook Partners principals Lyle Burgin and John Sughrue, with Turtle Creek Holdings partners Dan Boeckman and Gregg Greene.

The $200 million tower will have about 110 condos, starting at more than $1 million. Museum Tower is the tallest Downtown building constructed since the 55-story Chase Tower was completed in 1987. And it’s one of the tallest buildings under construction in the country.

From our Family to Yours: Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinners take 18 hours to prepare.  They are consumed in 12 minutes.  Half-times take 12 minutes.  This is not coincidence!!!!

In our hurry, hurry lifestyle, don’t forget to slow down for just a little while, enjoy all Thanksgiving offers, reflect and be grateful for our many blessings and have some fun.

As the Holiday Season begins (kicked off in fine fashion by over 40,000 people Saturday night with CityLights at Main Street Garden), here’s your thought to get the Season started:  “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late”; wish I could take credit for that thought but it was Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Downtown and DDI are better because of your support and commitment.  We would not be where we are today without you and we need your continued support going forward to achieve our mutual goals and objectives.

May today and everyday be blessed with simple and quite moments of Thanksgiving.

All the best,

John Crawford

Downtown Dallas Fall 2011 Wrap-up

We’ve been running around like zombies but not because of Halloween. We’ve been working hard to make Downtown FUN! It all started late last month with a new TX/OU tradition thanks to Downtown Dallas, Inc. and Mike Hoque’s DRG Concepts. Football & BBQ – what a winning combination, if we do say so ourselves!

We put a couple of Texas pitmasters up against some Oklahoma pitmasters before the big game. In the end we had Fort Worth’s Cousin’s competing against Leo’s from Oklahoma City and Cousin’s came up victorious, winning the title of Ultimate Pitmaster.

By all accounts, the first-ever Red River Rivalry BBQ Shootout was a tremendous success, bringing over 1500 people downtown for community and good food!

Earlier this month we started the Pegasus Plaza Outdoor Markets and the Fall Movies Series. Today is actually your last chance to enjoy the markets and tomorrow is your last chance to pack a picnic and watch a movie at Main Street Garden.

The Outdoor Markets have been very successful and we want to thank all of the vendors who made it a grand success. We want to especially thank YOU for coming out, spending time with neighbors and supporting these local vendors.  These outdoor markets have created great community and we will hope to explore similar endeavors.

Earlier this week we had our 360 Community Forum and Reception. We began the evening with a quick update on Downtown Dallas 360. You may recall the City approved the plan in April. After the update, attendees were treated to yummy street vending, music, art and cocktails, as we activated Browder Plaza. This temporary urban space is an indication of what’s to come as we complete those “quick wins” laid out in the Downtown Dallas 360 plan.  Whew, what a ride. Again, pardon us if we look like zombies… Fall is almost over!

P.S.  Many thanks to Jaime Clintsman & Dustin Bullard for working day and night to make Downtown FUN!

 

400 Ervay Promises Modern Urban Living with Historic Charm

Imagine playing pool, cards, or sipping on a cocktail in the same room where legendary Judge Sarah T. Hughes presided. Residents of the historically significant, United States Post Office and Court House building at 400 North Ervay St. will be able to do so. The new residences will be ready for occupancy first week of October and we got a sneak peek.

Developer Builder Shawn Todd hit this one out the park. This building is the perfect example of Italian Renaissance with the latest in deluxe apartment living. Inside the mostly one-bedroom rental units are the latest in Brazilian Acacia brown granite counter-tops and modern stainless appliances. Architect David Demarest successfully combined the old with the new. The resident amenity areas — which are accessed off a separate lobby on the ground floor of the post office — look pretty much as they did when the building opened in 1930.

“The renovation wasn’t easy but it’s nearly complete and we are so happy,” says Todd. “We couldn’t have done with without the help of John Crawford and his team at Downtown Dallas, Inc.”

Two courtrooms including one used by Judge Hughes have been preserved as public amenity areas for residents. The rental units average around 800 square feet and range in price from $1,200 for the smallest one –bedroom to $4,000 a month for the biggest two-bedroom with an outdoor deck overlooking Bryan Street. Todd says they’ve has already begun leasing the units.

“We had a waiting list of people who had observed the construction,” Todd said. “And we’ve already signed some corporate leases.”

DDI Sponsors Park(ing) Day Dallas

PRESS RELEASE 

CONTACT:

C.C. Gonzalez-Kurz

Community Relations Manager

214.744.6646

214.794.2753

gonzalez-kurz@downtowndallas.org

DOWNTOWN DALLAS, INC. SPONSORS INTERNATIONAL PARK(ING) DAY

Dallas, Texas, September 13, 2011 — Downtown Dallas will have dozens of new community spaces this Friday, September 16, as Downtown Dallas, Inc. and others transform parking spaces into temporary “PARK” installations. More than 20 metered parking spaces along Main Street will be temporarily transformed, creating re-envisioned public spaces for Downtown employees, residents and visitors to enjoy.

“It’s all in an effort to create these Quick Wins,” said John Crawford, President & CEO, Downtown Dallas, Inc. “We are working with the Dallas Arts District, Earth Day Dallas and others to help transform these public spaces, allowing the community to experience a more livable, workable, and enjoyable Downtown.”

A series of parking spaces spanning three blocks will be reserved for participants. Organizations, private companies and volunteers will form teams to transform spaces into areas for socializing, networking and some will offer entertainment. These temporary public spaces will come down after a few hours and the space will revert back to metered parking. Teams are encouraged to use sustainable construction materials and partner with local charities to extend the impact beyond the event.

“We’re proud to show support for PARK(ing) Day Dallas by being part of the inaugural event,” said Trammell S. Crow, Earth Day Dallas thought leader. “Like Earth Day Dallas, PARK(ing) Day Dallas is another way to show Americans the importance North Texans place on the environment.”

PARK(ing) Day is an internationally recognized event celebrated annually with the mission to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat. Started in San Francisco in 2005, the project has blossomed into a worldwide grassroots movement: PARK(ing) Day 2010 included more than 850 “PARK” installations in more than 180 cities in 30 countries on six continents.

For more information:

http://www.downtowndallas.org

http://www.parkingdaydallas.org

http://www.parkingday.org

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