Oak Cliff

In our last post, I discussed how post-war government intervention systematically dismantled hundreds of years of pedestrian oriented environments by forcing property owners to carve up giant swathes of their private land for parking. What I failed to touch upon was the unsustainable levels of entitlement that now exist for people demanding endless parking and traffic-free roadways throughout our city. Like a Ponzi scheme, the pyramid eventually buckles from its own weight. What we’re witnessing today is a generational divide where outdated philosophies are represented by a leadership that refuses to acknowledge the obvious fact that their children are all saying, “I’d rather live in Austin/Portland/NY/SF/Chicago than Dallas.” Stubbornly, the parents keep saying, “they’ll come back for the jobs,” without realizing that the jobs are starting to go where the people want to be. Read the rest of this entry »

In Dallas, we’re currently faced with a heated debate on growth and the need for improved infrastructure to facilitate future development. Jim Schutze wrote a post on Unfair Park about the recent tollroad debate and how the Mayor is promoting regionalism vs. localism. I was struck by several commenters who dismissed urbanism and multi-modal transit options as a novelty and something that a slim minority cared about. What really amazed me was the lack of understanding many voiced in favor of our modern car-centric, sprawling development…a network that was completely brought about by massive government intervention and subsidization. The free market would never have created something so wasteful and inefficient on its own. An example I gave recently was the following:

If you wanted to develop a small bakery in your neighborhood, you would not be able to due to zoning restrictions brought about by local government separating basic uses (homes here, business there). This is the first step in deconstructing pedestrian oriented environments. It’s no longer the industrial revolution, yet we still base much of our land use on the ideas of separating factories from homes. Read the rest of this entry »

The mayor recently stated that construction of the Trinity Toll Road would help grow South Dallas because it would create greater connectivity to jobs in North Dallas and help spur development along the route. Currently, 175 and I-45 carve through incredible South Dallas neighborhoods, and yet the land directly beside these roads has depressed values and relatively little development. How can this be? Sadly, the neighborhoods of South Dallas would be thriving today if they were connected at street levels with at-grade boulevard style infrastructure. Traffic would not be negatively impacted, in fact, pass through traffic that has no intention of stopping in South Dallas would be rerouted to other areas allowing neighborhoods to be turned back into incredible destinations. Read the rest of this entry »

OOCCL is very excited to be compiling our 3rd annual Architecture at Risk List for 2012.  If you know of a particular worthwhile or iconic property that you feel is at Risk due to neglect or aggressive zoning please write and tell us about it at risk@ooccl.org

We’ll unveil our list at our June General Meeting at Turner House on June 11 at 7:00.  We’ll also be awarding our 2012 neighborhood grants so you won’t want to miss this meeting.

Because this property may be demolished by the time we unveil our list, we wanted to share this preview with you today.

1. HUMBLE OIL SERVICE STATION – ZANG AND BECKLEY – 1929

Humble Oil was founded in Texas in 1911. Their stations were once found throughout Texas. They later merged with Standard Oil and were rebranded as Exxon in 1972. It took the Humble Oil Company almost 6 months to gain permission to build their art deco service station at the corner of Zang and Beckley. Read the rest of this entry »

Kelly, the 2011 Face of Biking in Dallas

We’re down to the last few hours to vote for the 2012 Face of Biking in Dallas, by noon today. Then come to the Cycle Style after party in Deep Ellum.

9pm to midnight,  $10 entry, bicycle valet. Complimentary beer from local Deep Ellum Brewery and Franconia Brewery and complimentary Texas-made Railean tequila/rum tastings starting at 9pm.

Proceeds benefit Pedal Power, our local bicycle charity that provides used bikes to those in need.

At 10pm, Dallas’ first ever bicycle fashion show featuring Wallflower models styled by Brittany Winter, Amy K Hays, Ariella Villa, and Tara Tonini.  Plus, we’ll reveal the winner of the 2012 Face of Biking in Dallas.

Whatever your style, get on a bike. The more of us on the road, the safer we all are. Come celebrate another year of biking in Dallas with us. Read the rest of this entry »

RE-POSTED from Bike DFW
“According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 718 bicyclists were killed and 51,000 were injured in crashes with motor vehicles in 2009 – yet many feel invincible in bicycle helmets. Bicycle clubs, event organizers, bike magazines, bike shops and school programs all strongly urge cyclists to wear a helmet – and many require it. Yet, these same organizations rarely offer any kind of safe riding instruction beyond the admonition, “Wear Your Helmet!”^#

“WEARING A HELMET IS NOT YOUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE. In fact, education is! Cyclists of all ages and abilities know riding in traffic or on trails can be hazardous if you are not prepared. Operators of motor vehicles are required to follow the rules of the road (we hope), to properly maintain their vehicles, understand avoidance tactics and practice defensive driving. While they are required to wear seat belts, and air bags are becoming the industry standard, it is widely understood that they are passive forms of protection, useful in the event of a crash. Seat belts and air bags do not prevent crashes, and neither do bicycle helmets. Lucky for us, the League’s Smart Cycling curriculum and their trained nationwide network of League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) are educating new and returning riders with the vital traffic skills needed to prevent accidents in recreational and traffic situations – in addition to wearing your helmet.”^{# Read the rest of this entry »}