Dallas plans to create first fully sustainable, urban square block in the U.S.

Travis Bush says:

"a downtown corridor which many predict will become a vibrant living community over the next five years."

of rich folks...

alexander troup says:

The future City, recession proof, clean and working on a level of a refined Bladed Runner only without the midst and cyborgs, Future Cities will have to adapt to a pure enviroment, leaving out ethnic and multicultural life...then again the formula enviroment is safe but boring...and more laws will have to be passed so human activity cannot preform mistakes or new life events, and it is a world for only the rich or credit point card citizens....A/T. I am a box.

Tracy Yost says:

micro-lofts, eh? 350 sq. ft? That's about 18.7' x 18.7' (not enough space for two Yosts and a cat, for sure)

Tracy Yost says:

she's 18, blind and deaf and looks kinda like this: <img src="http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:iDnPqUBcFmQQqM:http://snapshot.parade.com/main.php%3Fg2_view%3Dcore.DownloadItem%26g2_itemId%3D135168%26g2_serialNumber%3D2">

Tracy Yost says:

ok trying that again - my image went away. <img src="http://snapshot.parade.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=135168&amp;g2_serialNumber=2">

alexander troup says:

That area became a blind developement after the mid 1990s, because it is too far from the Central area, which by the way is where today, and again, the history of the poor and homeless is not far from the present Bridge Complex,... while, in the late 80's Adams Hat building came along and the Camden Properties in the area, adds to poor loft and Community developement, sounds like another Hotel complex by the Convention Center, all of this could come togther...but when in 2030..while you still have the Trinity Developement....the 1930's made Dallas modern, what will this next decade do...A/T, Urban observer..

Travis Bush says:

bobdonOOO I have no doubt there are solutions to building green that do not require one to be wealthy.

"Tracy Yost micro-lofts, eh? 350 sq. ft? That's about 18.7' x 18.7' (not enough space for two Yosts and a cat, for sure)"

This seems like a token effort to me, but I could be wrong. I also don't know if this kind of development will come along in time to stop the removal of large minority groups from the city center, which in my opinion, is currently the trend.

Andrew Laska says:

I think he means the cost of "green building." Green Building like the term sustainability is a qualitative term that has be judged on something like a scale of success vs failure.

They are terms like "safe" or "clean." There are degrees of safety and cleanliness.

Habitat for Humanity of Dallas, for example, puts green building practices to work in their homes. They are trying to keep costs down and in fact green building techniques are part of that. Some building parts are now pre-made offsite which reduces cost, waste, and if performed correctly, increases quality.

The point is that increased sustainable practices need not cost more.

Travis Bush says:

TGubb have you driven up Lemmon towards Love Field? You know what used to be behind the new auto dealerships and the new City Place development (or whatever it is named)? Lots of apartments that no longer exist. Where do you think all those people went? Closer to the city center or farther out towards the suburbs? Same thing right around Cedar Springs area and soon to happen to the Maple area. I am betting the same thing will be true of the Ross/East Dallas area soon enough.

It has always been my belief that urban renewal around these parts does not mean renewing said urban area for existing residents. It means removing existing structures and replacing them with units that are beyond the reach of the people who lived there before.

Maybe I am just way too cynical to see the benefit for any but a few. It would great to be wrong, but I won't hold my breath.

alexander troup says:

Your not cynical Travis,this is the same D.N.A stuff that went on in the 30s and 50s and 70s in Dallas, this is an amazing Bus station, while the people were removed, some stayed and many left, the affect had also altered West Dallas and South Dallas, by the cedars....and so your observations are only on the surface, and they are very good observations, shocking but true, look deep at what they do have as a master plan for 2014....A/T.Urban Observer.

Tracy Yost says:

"It has always been my belief that urban renewal around these parts does not mean renewing said urban area for existing residents. It means removing existing structures and replacing them with units that are beyond the reach of the people who lived there before."

I think you are correct.

Scott Doyle says:

There is something to be said about the amount you have to invest up front in order for self-sustainability to payoff over time. Green is one thing, fully sustainable structures are another.

Quite a bit of funding is necessary to build something of this variety (per <a href="http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=222">LEED standards</a>, anyways). Considering banks aren't exactly whoring themselves out to lend right now, should be interesting how this goes down.

Personally, sounds a lot like a monorail salesman made his way into town and performed a song and dance in city hall.

<img src="http://getitnext.typepad.com/weblog/images/2007/07/24/simpsons20monorail.gif">

I'll remain quite critical until we have actual design plans to sift through. For now, it's literally just a bunch of "what-if's".

alexander troup says:

I am not correct, just observant... curves..... besides, I was young enough to see the old Ross ave by Pearl street which is now the Arts District, a quaint junk shop area of boarding houses and labor that worked downtown and made that world then a funky place......this is a man made city of errors and sucess, whos errors are we to now except in developement. A/T. ..Urban Observer.

Travis Bush says:

"And finally, no large minority groups are being removed so this can take place."

That is not what I said. I merely pointed out that there is and will be more of an exodus to the suburbs by minorities and lower income families. That is in direct relation to current city planning and whatever vision Dallas seems to have for itself in the near future. If CDM can reverse this by promoting and executing sustainable community centers, then great! It's just a really long and tough row to hoe..

alexander troup says:

Smell the roses as I have Travis, we are entering the unjust 21st centuty....now can this be turned around.....i hope so and you making a comment it should be observed.....A/T. Urban Observer.

Travis Bush says:

"and more steeped in research than a de rigueur dart toss of the moment."

Dismiss my comments if you wan to, but it certainly doesn't change what is plain for the eye to see. Maybe you don't think it is in important part of the conversation, I beg to differ.