Downtown Dallas, Inc. Receives Top Honors from International Downtown Association

DDI wins IDA Merit Award for Downtown Dallas 360 Plan & the Retail Activation Strategy 

Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI) is being honored by the International Downtown Association (IDA) after receiving a Merit Award for its work on the Downtown Dallas 360 Plan and the Main Street District Retail Activation Strategy. 

Every year IDA Achievement Awards features innovative best practices projects from Downtown Associations around the world. These projects are creative, diverse and present the best and brightest in leadership, public space and economic development. 

“It’s wonderful news and well deserved based on the time, effort and results we are already seeing with 360,” said John F. Crawford, DDI President & CEO. “This is the perfect example of what can occur through public/private partnerships.” 

DDI collaborated with the City of Dallas to create Downtown Dallas 360. This strategic, action –oriented development plan addresses public spaces, transit and transit oriented development, a long-term parking strategy, creating housing for all income levels, adding retail to the city’s core and making stronger physical connections between Downtown’s fifteen Districts. The plan focuses in large part on how Downtown should look and function in the future, and specifically how to get there. 

DDI will be honored next month at an award’s ceremony at this year’s IDA Annual Conference and Tradeshow to be held in Charlotte, NC.  DDI has won IDA awards in years past in Community Development for the Universities Center at Dallas; Business and Economic Development for the original Main Street District Retail Plan; and Marketing for the Where’s Your D Spot Marketing Campaign.

It’s a New Day in Downtown Dallas

We’ve been telling you for some time now but it seems that others agree… it’s a new day in Downtown Dallas. Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm said she can remember when people didn’t want to live Downtown because you couldn’t find any retail…  much less a dry cleaners or a place to walk the dog; but that’s all changing.

Suhm was the key-note speaker at today’s Downtown Dallas, Inc. Membership Luncheon. Suhm told some 700 attendees that you can always tell when a neighborhood is changing for the better… when you see kids and dogs.

“There are children growing up in Downtown and that was not the case a few years ago,” said Suhm.

If you don’t believe her just go to Main Street Garden on any given Saturday or Sunday afternoon. You will find kids playing in the play park and dogs socializing in the dog park. She mentioned new census figures show Dallas is growing by leaps and bounds but we must keep our eye on the ball and that’s Downtown. She said we’ve made some great strides but our work is far from over.

“Downtown will need to make connectivity a top priority,” said Suhm. “We must make it easy for people to get to the Arts District from Main Street and all of the other districts.”

We couldn’t agree more. Addressing connectivity has been a top priority of DDI’s for the last two years, emphasized again in the newly released Downtown Dallas 360 plan.  360 calls for building connectivity through an enhanced pedestrian environment; programs like bike sharing and pedicabs; long-range development of a streetscar; reworking our systems of streets (i.e. some one-way to two-way conversions); and infill development.  Initiatives like these, and many more to come – some tomorrow, and some perhaps a bit longer in the making – will ultimately bring our 15 districts together into a wholistic urban experience.

It’s a new day in Downtown Dallas. Come see what we’re talking about!

A Message from the CEO: Quick Wins and Bold Ideas will Shape the Future of Downtown Dallas

Members, supporters and friends of Downtown Dallas, Inc.,

What was presented to this year’s sold out, record breaking crowd at our Annual Meeting on Februrary 16 was Downtown Dallas 360 – a roadmap for the next phase of Downtown revitalization, shaped with Quick Wins and Bold Ideas.  However, before we were given this glimpse into the future, I spent some time looking at the state of Downtown today, and reflecting on the last decade’s worth of momentum in our city’s core.

Close your eyes and imagine Downtown just ten years ago.  Our first adaptive re-use residential projects were just opening.  Our city center residential population was just beginning to climb into the thousands.  Nodes like Stone Street Garden were emerging.  Planning efforts such as the Parks Master Plan, the CBD Transportation Plan and the Inside the Loop Committee initiatives were just commencing.  It was a time, similar today, full of vision, strategy and promise.

Now open your eyes to the reality that exists today, to the community that has been built in Downtown Dallas.  More than 2 billion dollars has been invested in the heart of our city.  We have witnessed the residential population grow in the Central Business District to over 7,000.  Throughout all of Downtown we have more than 35,000 people living. Our employment population holds strong at 135,000, and we continue to be the largest workforce in North Texas.  Kicking off in 2007 with announcements by 7-Eleven and Comerica Bank, followed by AT&T in 2008, we’ve seen more than 60 companies relocate back to the city center, absorbing more than 2 and a half million square feet of space.

Landmark projects with decades of promise are now complete or underway.  The AT&T Performing Arts Center brought us one step closer to completing the Dallas Arts District master plan.  Woodall Rodgers Park now shows visible signs of progress with beams stretched across the canyon freeway.  The first Calatrava bridge is complete, changing the Dallas skyline forever, and the Omni Dallas Convention Center hotel is within just a year of opening, putting Dallas back on the map as a top tier convention destination.  And the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, a spectacular showcase, is well underway.

Residents, employees and visitors relax and recreate at Main Street Garden.  Belo Garden is under construction.  First Baptist Church of Dallas is in the midst of a $130 million renovation. The Dallas Arts District drew more than one million visitors last year.  Have you visited Main Street on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night lately?  The District is buzzing with traffic with people from close and afar visiting our restaurants and entertainment destinations.  And we’ve recently hosted three major national sporting events – the NBA All Star Weekend, the World Series and Super Bowl XLV.  Though the games were played miles away, the spotlight was shining on the Downtown skyline.

DART opened its Green Line in 2010, making it now the largest light rail system in the U.S. And MATA is extending – already underway is the Arts District extension, with funding secured for future expansion to Federal – ultimately connecting Uptown, the Arts District and the Main Street District.

Educational opportunities are increasing Downtown.  With more than 30 schools of varying levels, some of our prized facilities include the University of North Texas System and the Universities Center at Dallas; El Centro Community College and their School of Nursing and Allied Health in the West End.  Booker T. Washington High School continues to turn out record numbers – in 2010 more than $12 million worth of scholarships were awarded to their students.  The Pegasus School for the Liberal Arts and Sciences continues to be ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top ten high schools in the nation, and last year we welcomed Laureate Prep charter school to the West End, a prestigious Uplift Education program.

Indeed, there is much to celebrate as we look back at accomplishments over the decade and Downtown Dallas, Inc. is committed to remaining aggressive and continuing with resolute focus on the betterment of the area.

It is with this commitment that we come to Downtown Dallas 360.

Downtown Dallas 360 has been a full year in the making.  Built by workgroups of property and business owners; large corporations and small businesses; real estate and transportation experts; residents and other community organizations – 360 is a true culmination of what Dallas wants to see Downtown, and how we can all work together to achieve these goals.

360 is also a prime example of a public-private partnership.  The City of Dallas’ vision served as the catalyst for the project, and since the launch we have worked hand in hand.  I’d like to particularly thank Theresa O’Donnell, Peer Chacko and Karl Zavitkovsky with the City of Dallas, and Kourtny Garrett and Jim Wood with the DDI TEAM for their leadership and guidance of the plan’s creation.  Literally, every city department and DART have been involved, along with the outstanding leadership of the Downtown Dallas 360 Steering Committee.  Our City Council, Mayor and City Manager have been instrumental in providing the support and guidance needed from the public sector to bring such an ambitious city-changing project to fruition.

360 is arguably the most important project for Downtown going forward.  The Plan will guide future investment, development strategies and the activation of our streets in a tangible way for years to come.  It will bring together the vision of the public, private and community sectors under one common goal – to fuel the creation of a 21^st century Downtown Dallas.

The future is bright.  All of the statistics, economic and quality of life indicators bode well for Dallas.  According to the Dallas Federal Reserve, Texas is rising above the national average in payroll employment growth, we sit well below the national average in unemployment, construction contract values showed growth at the end of 2010, home sales are beginning to rise, and Texas exports are raising while the rest of the nation experiences declines.  With over-regulation and increasing taxes to our north, east and west, the market is funneling toward Texas, and even more so toward Dallas…and Downtown.

With Quick Wins and Bold Ideas, Downtown Dallas 360, along with the daily stewardship of the Downtown environment by our organization, we will move into the next year (and next decade!) with strategic, thoughtful development.  Our ultimate vision will continue to develop into reality – a thriving, vibrant and sustainable Downtown Dallas.

As goes Downtown, so goes Dallas!

John Crawford

DART Offers a Look into the Future with a Streetcar in Downtown

DART is developing a plan to create downtown streetcar routes that would complement its larger light-rail system, so earlier this month it demonstrated a new energy-efficient streetcar.

The ameriTRAM prototype shuttled DART and city leaders back and forth from the Akard and Victory stations while they heard the benefits of a new streetcar.

Officials say the vehicle would save on installation costs because it can operate without overhead cables. The streetcar runs on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and can travel about five miles before recharging for six to eight minutes. The ameriTRAM also recycles energy by channeling braking energy back into the battery.

DART is working as a technical advisor with the City of Dallas on a number of streetcar projects, including the planned connection to Oak Cliff, a connection with the McKinney Avenue Trolley and a future downtown streetcar network.

Quick Wins & Bold Ideas – Celebrating the Completion & Launch of Downtown Dallas 360

Downtown Dallas Inc. is touting quick wins and bold ideas for a new and improved Downtown. DDI President & CEO John Crawford, DDI Board Chair Shelle Sills and Downtown Dallas 360 consultants Daniel Iacofano and Chris Beynon gave a sold out crowd a sneak peek of an action plan that will provide a blueprint for Downtown revitalization at the DDI Annual Meeting & Luncheon, earlier this month.

From economic development and housing, to public space, transit, and parking, Downtown Dallas 360 outlines key strategies and specific recommendations that will ensure continued development of a vibrant and sustainable Downtown.

“The Plan will guide future investment, development strategies and the activation of our streets in a tangible way for years to come” said Crawford.  “It will bring together the vision of the public, private and community sectors under one common goal – to fuel the creation of a 21^st century Downtown Dallas.”

The plan is based on five strategies to expand downtown transit, beautify streets and public spaces, achieve great urban design, expand affordable housing and revamp parking access. The plan includes investment in light rail and streetcar systems and the development of surrounding areas to promote pedestrian traffic.

Some of the areas targeted include the Farmers Market, the Lamar Corridor near the Convention Center, Reunion/Union Station, the South Arts District and the Main Street District. The plan will be supported through public-private partnerships.

McKinney Avenue Trolley Gets Green Light with Two Major Grants

The federal government announced it is awarding the M-Line a $4.9 million grant. In addition, the federal grant will be matched by $5 million from the North Texas Council of Governments and this could make a huge impact on Downtown transportation.

The extension down Olive Street to Federal Street is already funded and work will begin soon. The new money will allow the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority to extend the current tracks on St. Paul from Ross Avenue to Federal, and up Federal to connect with Olive Street.

The proposed line will run through the Woodall Rodgers deck park through the Arts District to downtown. It also will gain a new connection with DART Light Rail. Federal Street is only a block away from DART’s downtown transit mall — easy walking distance from their St. Paul and Pearl stations.

The new route has the potential to increase the efficiency and usefulness of the M-Line, boost annual ridership, and is essential to the development of the Central Business District.

Good things!

CC

Riverfront/Woodall Rodgers access closures and detours

Beginning July 14 access to/from Riverfront and Woodall Rodgers will be limited due to the construction of the Woodall Rodgers extension.  The text of the press release from the Texas Department of Transportation and the city of Dallas follows:

Construction Closes Parts of a Major Central Dallas Intersection

Woodall Rodgers at Riverfront Boulevard closed until mid-to late 2011

DALLAS – Beginning July 14, 2010 major connections to and from Woodall Rodgers Freeway and Riverfront Boulevard will be closed for construction activities associated with the Texas Department of Transportation’s Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and the ongoing Woodall Rodgers Extension project. The closures, which will last approximately 15 months, affect several major connections at the intersection. They are as follows:

• Westbound Woodall Rodgers Fwy. traffic exiting to Riverfront Blvd. will no longer be able to directly access either direction of Riverfront Blvd.
• Southbound Riverfront Blvd. traffic will no longer be able to directly access eastbound Woodall Rodgers Fwy.

Detour signage will be put into place on July 13 with the full closure going into effect on July 14.  Maps depicting signed detour routes for the prohibited movements are attached.  TxDOT and the City of Dallas are encouraging motorists to seek alternate routes.  Riverfront Blvd. will remain open during construction, but will be reduced to two lanes in each direction for the duration of the projects.  Northbound Riverfront Blvd. access to eastbound Woodall Rodgers Fwy. will remain open.

The closures are part of the $47.5 million Woodall Rodgers Extension Project, which is being built in conjunction with the $69.7 million Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge over the Trinity River. Both projects are scheduled to be complete by mid-to late 2011.

For more information about the project please visit www.txdot.gov,  www.dallascityhall.com or http://www.trinityrivercorridor.org.

Southbound Riverfront To Woodall Rodgers Detour Routing

Woodall Rodgers To Riverfront Blvd Detour Routing

~Jim

Parking and Retail to be specifically addressed in new studies

On April 14, Dallas City Council approved a reallocation of funds to implement two critical studies for Downtown, one to focus on parking, the other to further retail development in the Main Street District.

Both projects will be managed by Downtown Dallas, Inc., in partnership with the City, and will be conducted in concert with the Downtown Dallas 360 (www.downtowndallas360.com )planning effort.

Elements to be addressed in the parking realm include a supply and demand analysis (both for commercial office and public transient parking); valet parking in key entertainment and visitor zones; signage and wayfinding; resident-serving needs; and innovative technologies such as smart phone usage and real-time availability information.  The effort will commence in May, to be complete in line with Downtown Dallas 360 later this fall.

The Main Street Retail Activation Strategy, co-funded by Downtown Dallas, Inc., will build upon past efforts that have created a target tenant mix and incentive programs to entice a mix of luxury, service and entertainment uses to locate in Downtown’s core.  The strategy will put forth guidelines and programs related to urban design including lighting, sidewalk enhancements, street furniture and environmental graphics.  It will also analyze highest-and-best-use locations for sidewalk cafes, street vending and public art.   The stakeholder input process began in February, with the goal of completion early this summer.  Look for emerging strategies to be posted on Downtown Dallas Inc.’s blog later next month.

Downtown Dallas 360 January Report Now Posted

As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, another round of Downtown Dallas 360 meetings were held in January.  The brief is now posted at www.downtowndallas360.com.  Be sure to refer to both the “Meetings Presentation” as well as the “Meetings Summary”.  We look forward to your comments!

~Kourtny

Downtown Dallas 360 – Quick Wins!

Last week, MIG was back in Dallas for another intensive round of work sessions as we progress forward in the creation of Downtown Dallas 360. 

This three day window focused primarily on two topics – Transit and the Public Realm.  Centering on each of these topics, roll-up-your-sleeves work sessions were held with City, DART and DOWNTOWNDALLAS staff as well as volunteer stakeholder groups with particular expertise in those areas.  A full debrief will be posted soon on the 360 web site, but a few top-line take aways:

An Urban Beach

• An idea was put forth to create a series of “Quick Wins” in the final plan.  These are initiatives that will be related to long-term strategies, but can be implemented quickly, at low-cost, and will have a big effect.  As an example, on Broadway in New York clusters of inexpensive, movable furniture were  placed in areas of the public realm as a social test – an “urban beach”.  Wildly successful, people gathered – playing games, lounging, enjoying a latte…finding a “place” amidst the chaos of Times Square.   So Jim and I have already decided DOWNTOWNDALLAS will be purchasing some patio furniture in the near future.
• Transformative projects as well as Catalyst areas of development have begun to take shape.  These will be further analyzed by economists and developers, then tested during future meetings with the public, stakeholders and City officials. 
• Transit.  Transit. Transit.  The DART second alignment and the overall streetcar plan are critical in the development of 360.   Coordination is underway between all groups involved in the decision-making process for these two projects.
• Diversifying the Downtown housing mix was also hot on the agenda – affordable housing, product type and location – ensuring we continue to build a critical mass of Downtown residents.
• Activating parks, open space and the overall public realm is another key component in 360.  Related strategies will likely include: the creation of Design Guidelines and/or Standards that relate specifically to the brand and environment of each of Downtown’s 13 Districts; maintenance and animation plans for existing and new public spaces (ala DOWNTOWNDALLAS’ management agreement with Park & Rec for Main Street Garden and six other parks Downtown); the coordination of streetscape plans; coordination of boulevard improvements, bike routes and trails….just to name a few!

Again, more detail on these and other topics will be posted at www.downtowndallas360.com in the coming week.  Stay tuned!

~Kourtny