Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum

Just curious to know what the tallest vacant building (after 1401 Elm) is downtown. I can only think of one, and that's 505 N Ervay owned by First Baptist. Shame that they're allowed to just hold that property when it could be generating tax revenue. Screen Shot 2018-05-04 at 4.14.50 PM.jpg That pr...

I think it would be great if the museum's elevated walkway to Klyde Warren Park is a marvel of engineering and science, turning the 5 minute walk into a stroll through a nature & science project, but the city's help should be limited to getting through the red-tape. Or connect it with a "w...

Gravel in the temporary dog area has been replaced with new turf thanks to volunteers from Cafe Momentum. The immediate goal is to get everything green and fountains operable over the next several months. https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/31059515_1852774464774765_4166521763527655424_n.j...

Mark di Suvero's Proverb, which was once on this site, is now enjoying a wilder life at Tippet Rise in Montana. https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20842132_1254244911352646_7916917842793026339_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=ee7b7b07c0ddf59dc6e39468c89d25a4&oe=5B726CC3 https://images.adsttc.co...

Interesting article/discussion about the function and purpose of parks in downtown Dallas. https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2018/04/why-dont-dallas-downtown-parks-have-basketball-courts/ Klyde Warren taught Dallas an important lesson: because the city center itself does not yet have the street ...

Are there any urban explorers out there that think they can get into any of these places? And if so, can provide pictures... Also if parts of the infrastructure are already place, why wouldn't they think of connecting the existing DART along these paths as part of the D2 expansion? The tunnel under...

^ That's right. 1700 Pacific has some infrastructure beneath, since the plaza was always planned to be a transit center with integrated bus shelters (and 1700 Pacific was required to keep it so). The "future station" at Ross/Pearl shows connections to the buildings on that corner, but I do...

Interesting flashback from 1989. Flashback, 1989: Architecture critic says Deep Ellum's future is 'as a mixed urban neighborhood' https://www.dallasnews.com/news/from-the-archives/2018/04/05/flashback-1989-architecture-critic-says-deep-ellums-future-mixed-urban-neighborhood Deep Ellum's future is as...

Electric scooters and electric assist bicycles are the invaders in SF, currently.

https://sf.curbed.com/2018/4/5/17202690 ... nfo-how-to

I don't like "i". A capital letter would look better imo. Did this building used to awnings? It looks like it is missing something.. Yes; it's designed to have retractable awnings at each window bay (similar to the Titche-Goettinger Building across Elm Street). The awnings kept the sidewa...

Meanwhile, London converts parking garage space to community space: https://www.curbed.com/2018/4/4/17192194/parking-garage-adaptive-reuse-london-level-5 https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/L2UIAPauH-HCr1tYfUVLr7LKc8Y=/1000x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10576549/car2.j...

The Sheraton becomes an entirely different property with a park across the street. The Great American Insurance Co building at 2020 Live Oak has potential as well, but it was just upgraded to a more robust data center last year. Remove the Olive cutoff and Pacific Plaza pocket park and there's area...

January comments from Landmark Commission: 210 S HARWOOD ST Harwood Historic District Courtesy Review - Construct a seven-story multifamily residential structure. - Approve conceptually with the recommendation that the applicant consider better distinguishing the front main entrance to the structure...

From the TOWERS article linked above, it seems the difficulty with this particular blade sign was because Tower Petroleum is within the Harwood Historic District — which only covers a block or so of Elm Street. Presumably, buildings further down Elm not within the historic district wouldn’t have ne...

A unique special purpose district had to be created just to get this sign to happen inside of an existing historic district you would think would allow it in some form. It sounded like a process the city won't be repeating. It's so ironic, because it seems like it's easier to throw a wrecking ball ...

mdg109 wrote:What renovation is planned for the triangle nearest Cafe Momentum? Are there any long term plans to shorten the wall along Bryan Street?

Make it less hostile, improve the landscaping, eliminate odors and repair fountains. The tall wall along Bryan was built in 1996 by DART to control noise levels.

If the Confederate War Memorial is removed from Pioneer Plaza, Old City Park/Dallas Heritage Village could be an appropriate place to send it. It was the original location for the memorial (it was moved for freeway construction) and putting it in a "museum" setting would allow for educati...

If the Confederate War Memorial is removed from Pioneer Plaza, Old City Park/Dallas Heritage Village could be an appropriate place to send it. It was the original location for the memorial (it was moved for freeway construction) and putting it in a "museum" setting would allow for educatio...

There are two exhibits on display at Thanks-Giving Square through June 3rd. The first is Enoc Perez: Liberty & Restraint in partnership with Dallas Contemporary. Have you spotted all the artwork at Philip Johnson-designed spaces? There are pieces at Thanks-Giving Square in the Chapel and the Hal...

Cafe Momentum is building a 4,500 sq. ft. Community Services Center in the Pedway retail area (former bank space) at Thanks-Giving Square. https://dallasinnovates.com/from-cafe-momentum-to-national-math-science-initiative-dfw-groups-receive-funding/ Great news and perfect use of that tunnel space. ...

Farewell to Doug's Gym, 55 years in downtown Dallas.

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/comm ... ght-lifted

Cafe Momentum is building a 4,500 sq. ft. Community Services Center in the Pedway retail area (former bank space) at Thanks-Giving Square.

https://dallasinnovates.com/from-cafe-m ... e-funding/

St. Paul from Woodall Rodgers to Federal is pretty much a lost cause anyway. I know a lot of people in this building park as far away as Plaza of the Americas, so there's little doubt it was needed. FullSizeRender 32.jpg When downtown is no different/better than the suburbs and the only way to &quo...

Also, they don't show the skybridge in the rendering, but I'm wondering who owns it. It's integrated into the FBC Garage and flies over the FBC School playground. The Bullington-Akard Skywalk, owned/maintained by the City of Dallas (which is why it's in a poor state and slowly deteriorating). Lots ...

KERA Art & Seek Interview with Mark Lamster:

http://artandseek.org/2018/01/05/will-f ... -be-saved/

Here's a good article about the current state of the Kalita Humphreys Theater. It's a building that deserves restoration and preservation. There is a new conservancy that was formed to start a dialogue between all involved operators and oversee a future $40 million complete restoration of the theate...

The building belongs in everyone’s tour of Dallas. Are there other examples of mid-century modern that are as good as the Statler? Is this the best mcm in the country? These are nice: https://voices.uchicago.edu/201504arth15709-01a2/files/2015/11/TWA_Flight_Center-1vr7mym.jpg http://chicagobrutalis...

CTroy, I'll have to find the pic, but the donor list sign has a typo. I don't remember what it was off-hand. If you remember, let me know. I will take a closer look as well. Found it. I'd taken pix of all the new signage one day and meant to post it to the forum but didn't get to it. Anyway, toward...

I visited Thanksgiving Square today for probably the first time in almost 40 years. Absolutely disgusting and embarrassing. They need to just lock the gates. I take it the chair and lights initiative success hasn't lived on? The chairs/tables are still in place, though someone broke all the "d...

There are actually very many current forum member names displayed on a wall at Thanks-Giving Square near the office entrance thanks to Noah's initiatives. People who have donated. This is a place that is particularly special to so many, and, it is well-known that there are issues. It has been worse...

Primarily from the dog waste and surrounding dog owners, or more? The first thing you see walking in the west entrance is the gravel area covered in dog waste. Not one of the water features was working. What are supposed to be grassy areas are as much mud as grass. Lots of dead vegetation. The wate...

Phillip Johnson was such a hack. I don't think Thanksgiving Square can be saved from the incredibly stupid design choices. Why not bulldoze it and start over? Hell, with so many other parks going in why not just sell it to someone so they can put a new tower on the site? You have to remember that t...

When I worked downtown, Thanks-Giving Square was an automatic go-to for dog-walkers. They didn't try to go anywhere else. A few years ago there was a survey/count and it was estimated that there are about 800 dog visits to the space per day. The three residential properties (LTV, Mosaic, Republic) ...

Raising money from a lot of small donors has a low chance of success without a lead donor. The park needs to find an invidual or corporation to lead the renovation, and even grant naming rights if necessary. Kelcy Warren for KWP, Robert Decherd for the Belo Gardens and the recently approved parks, ...

jrd1964 wrote:CTroy, I'll have to find the pic, but the donor list sign has a typo. I don't remember what it was off-hand.

If you remember, let me know. I will take a closer look as well.

Sharing a few Philip Johnson photos and sketches I found in the archive recently. Many pieces will be digitized and placed on the Portal to Texas History in coming months (funded through a grant).

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I visited Thanksgiving Square today for probably the first time in almost 40 years. Absolutely disgusting and embarrassing. They need to just lock the gates. Primarily from the dog waste and surrounding dog owners, or more? The main fountain was cleaned a few weeks ago and the giant sediment tank e...

Yep! There was a re-do in the works, but that just disappeared. It needs to be completely gutted and rebuilt. The rejuvenation is still planned, but can't proceed until funds are raised (apart from operating funds). The first step is finalizing the construction documents with the City of Dallas. In...

Here's an interesting look at some of the abandoned spaces in the building now that Dallas Morning News has vacated the facility. Link: https://www.guidelive.com/dallas/2017/12/08/photos-inside-dallas-morning-news-offices-now-vacant-haunted-creepy#_ga=2.197672623.1094811187.1512679304-1898294398.150...

Here's another article about the move and rebirth of the old library building: https://interactives.dallasnews.com/201 ... essay.html

I'm a little confused as to where this new retail would go. I'm not too familiar with the building, so I'm not sure where the carport is, but are we just talking about the glassed portion of the building here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Adolphus/@32.7797639,-96.7995894,3a,75y,355.13h,84....

The new sign is a bit of overkill, especially when you have no idea what this MMA ring in the center is supposed to be, but there it is. IMG_2301.jpg Overkill and ugly. Aluminum is easy to maintain and keep clean, but if it has to be that big at least include some information on why the plaza is th...

Before they hinted that something would become of the Rock of Truth but I wonder if their plans fizzled out. I assumed they may find a way to at minimum take the stone words down and incorporate it as art into their new HQ. Brought down to a level where people can touch the words like a lot of Wash...

Well, the parking lot behind the existing low-rise buildings was originally intended to house a highrise tower in the 1980s (only the smaller buildings were finished). Maybe they should go back to that plan.

The only thing that bugs me is that it looks like the 105 year old Eagle's Nest Cathedral would be demolished, and a parking structure put in its place. It's hard to tell but I don't see it in the renderings. There's got to be a way to preserve it. It doesn't take up much land and could become a gr...

Speculation from current/past high-ranking Amazonians that I know are all over the place, but these stand out as their favorites: 1. Toronto: East Coast access, Eastern time, easy travel to Europe, and it's out of the U.S. (Trump/politicians are anti-Amazon and it would give them leverage). 2. Nashv...

Latest analysis from a Seattle perspective:

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/a ... -heats-up/

Amazon’s second headquarters: Expect the unexpected http://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/amazons-second-headquarters-expect-the-unexpected/ Here’s my handicapping (and my colleague Matt Day has a list, too): Toronto, Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth would be at the top. They’ve got it all. Austi...

Ideal site/developer for Phase I? 60 acres on Riverfront Boulevard and Cadiz Street south of downtown ready for development by Matthews Southwest. http://www.matthewssouthwest.com/project_page/the-rivers/ http://www.matthewssouthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/therivers_2.jpg “Upon completion, t...

Site requirements from the RFP (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/Anything/test/images/usa/RFP_3._V516043504_.pdf): Building/Site Requirements: Amazon is considering greenfield sites, infill sites, existing buildings, or a combination for the Project. If existing buildings are avai...

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