I have enjoyed the discussion around the potential teardown of Interstate 345 and its potential impact on our city. I appreciate D Magazine’s willingness to promote an idea some might consider too audacious.
Following along these lines of big ideas we might implement to spur economic development and make this city an even better one, here are two more possibilities to kick around.
First, move the jail and justice center. Stand in any downtown highrise and look west. You’ll see growth at Victory, incredible activity in the Design District, the beautiful Calatrava bridge with Trinity Groves and Sylvan 30 behind it, and then, well, the justice center. Not only is the jail a physical blight, but it’s figuratively and practically right in the middle of one of our city’s greatest potential development corridors.
Second, build an above-ground high-speed rail line that runs down the center lanes of the Dallas North Tollway. BART runs this way in the East Bay of San Francisco. Have the following initial stops: Downtown, Mockingbird, Lovers Lane, Northwest Highway, Galleria, and Legacy. Think about it: Each of those intersections has easily walkable amenities that would be wonderful for all of us to be able to enjoy.
If you have an interest in running down either of these ideas, ping me, and we’ll do so together.
Jon Altschuler is a partner at Altschuler and Co. Contact him at [email protected].
