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| Why Live Downtown
Portions of an article submitted to The Dallas Morning News in May 1998. Written
by Alice Murray.
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| Today The Kirby Building is joined by
several new residential projects under construction in the sector of Dallas traditionally referred to as the Central Business
District (CBD), that area inside the loop of Woodall Rodgers Freeway and the
I30-I35E-I45 mixmaster. Unlike the new apartments constructed in the Uptown area, most of
the CBD developments are renovated historic buildings, most of which are empty or, at
best, significantly underutilized. The conversion of these buildings into housing will
revitalize Downtown and will encourage new street-front retail. |
| The result is that 5,000
people could live in Downtown Dallas by the year 2000. Who are these people and what will
motivate them to move Downtown? For people who have not considered urban living, here are
some of the compelling reasons - both practical and emotional - that living Downtown is
capturing the imagination of many people. Downtowns have a
character and appeal that suburban locations cannot match. A Downtown by its very nature
is the "heart" of a city. Cities are living entities that grow and evolve like
people. And so, cities need strong, healthy hearts. The growing trend for people to live
Downtown is the aerobics that will make Dallas' heart healthy. Dallas, like the Downtowns
of Atlanta, Chicago, Denver and New York, has the historical treasures that represent the
last vestiges of its past.
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The Adolphus Hotel, built in 1912 also by Busch, was considered the model for
luxury hotels.
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| Prime examples of that history and
elegance are the flagship Neiman-Marcus and the glamorous Adolphus Hotel. However, some of
the buildings slated for residential renovation also are historically significant, such as
The Kirby Building, the Magnolia Building, Santa Fe Terminal, the Davis Building and the
Wilson Building. |
Rising up from downtown Dallas is not only a diverse group of historic and modern
skyscrapers, but a beautiful blend of diverse peoples and cultures also transcend
traditional community boundaries. |
Despite the city's many
racial, social and economic differences, history binds all its citizens together with one
common thread: People of all walks of life come to Downtown to experience their shared
history. They can find comfort in focusing on their commonality, not on their differences.
In addition to the history and ambiance found only in downtown Dallas, the central city
has always been a major employment center. What could be better than to live within a few
minutes of work - perhaps even within walking distance? But you don't have to work
Downtown to warm up to the idea of living there. The new DART light rail has made getting
around Downtown easier; it also has opened the door to a relatively new concept,
"reverse commuting," meaning living Downtown and working elsewhere, whether
South or North Dallas, Plano or Las Colinas. Lastly, but
certainly not least of the reasons someone would want to live Downtown, are the cultural
and entertainment options. Downtowns are virtually always the cultural epicenter, not only
for the city but, as in Dallas' case, the entire metropolitan area.
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| The Dallas Museum of Art, the Meyerson
Symphony Center, Reunion Arena, West End, the Majestic, Farmers Market and Deep Ellum
offer events and activities that appeal to all ages and interests. The new arena and the
upcoming Nasher Sculpture Garden will add yet another dimension to the plentiful
entertainment options. |
| Such diverse activities reflect the
eclectic mix of residents envisioned for Downtown Dallas in the year 2000: young, single
professionals and retired couples; the arts aficionado and the sports fanatic; the
Downtown worker and the reverse commuter. There will also be greater racial diversity;
many of the geographic and ethnic barriers found in other parts of the city will not be a
factor Downtown. |
| As the residential population grows in the
central city, Dallas will become a "24-hour city." The energy and excitement
that comes with a vibrant urban area will motivate people to be pioneers and be among the
first to move to Downtown. |
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