There certainly has not been a shortage of exciting news regarding the downtown sector this year. From large-scale development and important infill projects to recreation additions, great restaurants, and service amenities, the vision for downtown’s revitalization was planted well over a decade ago and is now coming to fruition. However, such success is not a matter of happenstance. It is the result of thoughtful and deliberate planning, most recently led by the Downtown Dallas 360 plan, a public-private partnership between Downtown Dallas Inc., the City of Dallas, and the greater downtown 360 community.
There was an incredible turnout for our Downtown Dallas 360 kickoff that recently took place. The event was attended by almost 300 people seeking input about the evolution of the Downtown 360 plan, as well as an opportunity to share their thoughts about the future of downtown. The discussions have been extremely lively, with no shortage of input on a multitude of “unsolved opportunities” for the next steps as part of an updated strategic plan. Over the next four months, outreach will spread throughout the neighborhoods that comprise the greater downtown area, and strategies will form based on what the community and stakeholders want downtown to become.
Discussions about such an update are taking place because thoughtful and holistic planning is critical to ensuring that we protect our current assets and leverage them toward our future success. Our center city is at another pivotal point for moving Dallas forward. We do not just see the downtown area for the way it is, but for the potential it holds. Just since the spring of 2011, the landscape of downtown has significantly changed, resulting in today’s unprecedented interest in the area. We are experiencing an exponential increase in the residential base, corporate relocations, and a booming convention and tourism business. Much of our success has been driven by public-private partnerships, and 360 was developed in the best traditions of such partnerships.
All of this has brought about a solid strengthening of the downtown area tax base. Moreover, the future of the downtown area is of citywide—and even regional—significance. It has never been more important to work toward capitalizing on the downtown area as an engine for citywide revitalization, increased population, a higher tax base, improved educational opportunities, a thriving destination brimming with commerce, culture, recreation, and a burgeoning sense of place.
Transformative Strategies
Downtown Dallas 360 addresses several transformative strategies critical to urban redevelopment including housing, transportation, urban design, parks, and the public realm. It introduced the importance of “the 15,” the greater Downtown area as a series of districts. Each district has unique attributes and offerings, but is a part of the symbiotic whole serving as urban Dallas. The plan has been one of the greatest influences and inspirations for downtown in the last four years. It has guided investment, development strategies, mobility, quality of life, and the activation of our streets in a tangible way, all of which are part of a new urbanism. Out of 67 action items in the original plan, the majority of them are marked as “complete.” Progress is evident in the Dallas Farmers Market redevelopment, Main Street District ground floor transformation, and the Lamar Corridor. Districts have been connected as a result of projects such as Klyde Warren Park and the Continental Avenue Bridge, parking technology has been integrated, and 360 has impacted policy change to improve street activity with revisions to ordinances that encourage street vending and outdoor cafés.
Connectivity and leveraging large-scale projects with regional impact, such as the potential High Speed Rail, TxDOT’s CityMAP study assessing I-345, 30, and 35, as well as lower Stemmons, will be key. There will also be a greater focus on two themes that are quickly emerging from preliminary participation: mobility and livability. Input thus far points to a desire for mobility principles that reflect the unique needs of urban Dallas, and for those principles to influence large regional transportation projects, as well as the local grid and its interface with the public realm.
Great street design that promotes multi-modal circulation, equalizing access for pedestrians, bikes, and mass transit modes is also important. There is a desire to connect our districts and neighborhoods while preserving their authenticity, diversity, and character. And building a livable downtown is critical, as it can provide more usable public spaces–places for kids to play, dogs to roam, and all ages to recreate–as well as building a Smart City and integrating technology into urban life and design. Attention to urban design and preservation is a priority, and diversity of housing product and price is a clear need due to new demographics, such as families, who are living in the center city. With that comes attention to jobs, entrepreneurs and startups, essential services, and quality education.
This tradition of public-private partnerships will be emulated and expanded as we begin efforts on updating 360 through close collaboration between the city, DDI, and a broad range of districts/neighborhoods, stakeholders, and community organizations. Taking advantage of such partnerships will only be increasingly important as we prepare for the many exciting opportunities that present themselves to fuel a sustained renaissance of our urban core.
For more information on the 2011 plan, getting involved today, and a calendar of upcoming events and forums, visit www.downtowndallas360.com.
John F. Crawford is president and CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc. Contact him at [email protected].
