WFAA posted a story this morning about how the glare off Museum Tower is affecting Klyde Warren Park. Some visitors to the park are all like, “Now I get it! Yeah, I see why the Nasher has been bellyaching. That’s bright.” The story ends with these words: “Officials from Klyde Warren Park declined to comment for this story, but did say the glare does not affect them… even though its visitors do seem to notice.”
It remains to be seen whether the reflected heat off Museum Tower will damage the plantings at Klyde Warren. But as far as reflected light being a nuisance to visitors, there’s no question. I experienced it myself yesterday when I ate lunch in the park. There are certain times of the day when visitors sitting on the lawn and looking at something happening in the performance pavilion will be blinded. Yesterday at 5 o’clock I went to Veletta Forsythe Lill‘s retirement party, which was held on the 46th floor of the Chase tower. Looking down on the park, I watched streaks of light slowly crawl across the grass as the Museum Tower bounced light onto it like a disco ball.
Yet Klyde Warren Park officials say the glare does not affect them. Do you know why they say that? Because the developer of Museum Tower, the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System, has donated $1 million to the park. That’s the figure Richard Tettamant, the chief fund administrator, gave me in March.
It’s easier in the cool fall months to avoid biting the hand that feeds you. We’ll see what happens when summer rolls around.
