Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum

The landscaping along Central north of downtown is getting an update. New yuccas with flowers of different colors have been planted. The article says they are more drought tolerant than what has been planted there before.

https://www.dallasnews.com/life/gardeni ... expressway

They do look really nice. Now if only we could clean up the I-35 corridor. It's embarrassing.

Matt777 wrote:They do look really nice. Now if only we could clean up the I-35 corridor. It's embarrassing.

Lol it is pretty ugly.

More lipstick on the pigs, please.

I drive 75 from Lovers north into Richardson every morning, and I gotta say - the highway really does look fantastic this spring/summer. The new foliage is beautiful and does enhance the experience (luckily I leave late enough to not get stuck in traffic so I don't have that dragging me down )

I remember a few years ago, on the old forum, there was a like 5 page long thread about this and how the city and TXDoT were fighting it out to figure out what they should do with the landscaping on 75. Not sure what all came of that, but the current product that we have is very impressive - cheers to all parties involved in getting this done.

homeworld1031tx wrote:I drive 75 from Lovers north into Richardson every morning, and I gotta say - the highway really does look fantastic this spring/summer. The new foliage is beautiful and does enhance the experience (luckily I leave late enough to not get stuck in traffic so I don't have that dragging me down )

I remember a few years ago, on the old forum, there was a like 5 page long thread about this and how the city and TXDoT were fighting it out to figure out what they should do with the landscaping on 75. Not sure what all came of that, but the current product that we have is very impressive - cheers to all parties involved in getting this done.

Agreed!! It looks lovely and unique. If only we could work with TXDOT to make I35 look like less of a crumbling, steaming pile of crap surrounded by crap and strippers/prostitutes. Especially since it's all people see when they're just driving through Dallas on their longer road trips.

I commented just this weekend on how great NCX was looking. Finally, perhaps, we have a landscape that will survive those horrid conditions.

Speaking of horrid conditions - I know NorthPark has nothing to do with NCX service roads, but the northbound exit at NorthPark/Park Lane is just disgusting. Trash, weeds, exposed irrigation tubes everywhere where the grass had died. They have to know that the vast majority of cars sitting at that stoplight looking at the unkempt landscape are their customers. Couldn't they "sponsor" that little 1/8 mile of NCX? First impressions.....

LongonBigD wrote:I commented just this weekend on how great NCX was looking. Finally, perhaps, we have a landscape that will survive those horrid conditions.

Speaking of horrid conditions - I know NorthPark has nothing to do with NCX service roads, but the northbound exit at NorthPark/Park Lane is just disgusting. Trash, weeds, exposed irrigation tubes everywhere where the grass had died. They have to know that the vast majority of cars sitting at that stoplight looking at the unkempt landscape are their customers. Couldn't they "sponsor" that little 1/8 mile of NCX? First impressions.....

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve e-mailed the management and asked them to partner with the city on maintaining that small stretch- along with the other landowners/ stake holders. I got zero response. Not too unexpected of a national retail/ office operator, but for NP, a local run and cherished I was expecting more. Not that any of these entities are required to do so, but I think it would have been a great gesture and possibly a good tax write off.

But yes, I agree 75 looks SO much better and what a smart choice.

NdoorTX wrote:

LongonBigD wrote:I commented just this weekend on how great NCX was looking. Finally, perhaps, we have a landscape that will survive those horrid conditions.

Speaking of horrid conditions - I know NorthPark has nothing to do with NCX service roads, but the northbound exit at NorthPark/Park Lane is just disgusting. Trash, weeds, exposed irrigation tubes everywhere where the grass had died. They have to know that the vast majority of cars sitting at that stoplight looking at the unkempt landscape are their customers. Couldn't they "sponsor" that little 1/8 mile of NCX? First impressions.....

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve e-mailed the management and asked them to partner with the city on maintaining that small stretch- along with the other landowners/ stake holders. I got zero response. Not too unexpected of a national retail/ office operator, but for NP, a local run and cherished I was expecting more. Not that any of these entities are required to do so, but I think it would have been a great gesture and possibly a good tax write off.

I couldn't disagree more. Why?
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/ret ... disneyland
"NorthPark Center is the only property in Texas to land on a list of the top 100 property taxes paid in the U.S. The Dallas mall's 2016 property tax payment of $17,561,005 ranks it as No. 64 on the list heavily populated with New York office towers, hotels and a few other malls. NorthPark also pays more property taxes than some soaring buildings on Park Ave. and Madison Ave. in the heart of Manhattan. And while the mall is a landmark in North Texas, it's not as famous as some properties it trumps.
NorthPark pays more than Disneyland in California ($15.8 million), Chicago's Water Tower Place ($16.5 million) and Las Vegas' Bellagio Hotel & Casino ($16.1 million). Something interesting about Disneyland considering California has a reputation for high taxes: It's the only West Coast property on the list. "

It is my opinion that the City of Dallas should spend a few thousand dollars to keep Northpark Mall owners and customers happy keeping the landscaping up around it and keep the $17 million per year of property taxes flowing into the city coffers. And I'm not even counting the sales taxes Northpark Mall generates for the city.

Whereas it is obvious Northpark Mall could afford extra landscaping costs along North Central Expressway, one would think it already pays its fair share in taxes and shouldn't have to.

Maybe I'm being a little harsh on Dallas, maybe I should be placing the blame on Highland Park instead? No matter, the point I was making is that they are already paying far more in property taxes than any other North Texas property, how much is enough?
There is only so much juice in that fruit you wish to squeeze more from.

I can't even imagine being faced with a $17 million property tax bill. I knew that block was pricey real estate, but, wow, that's a chunk.

electricron wrote: the point I was making is that they are already paying far more in property taxes than any other North Texas property, how much is enough?

There is only so much juice in that fruit you wish to squeeze more from.

If that's the fair share, then that's exactly how much is enough. Texas has high property tax, that's for sure, balanced by the absence of state income tax. I NorthPark owners could contest the property tax bill and get out of paying what's fair, just like many other owners of expensive real estate reportedly do -- if you want the discount, complain. How about we audit and reconcile the property tax paid by everyone in Preston Hollow and the Park Cities, and use that hidden treasure to pay for a prettier highway.