Olde Towne development in Irving Heritage District could hurt actual old trees and businesses

by Catherine Cuellar

IRVING — Lubbock-based developer Delbert McDougal has big plans for Irving. His proposed Olde Towne development near the South Irving TRE station will include townhomes, condos, apartments, and office-over-retail space with a "southwestern type look with stucco and brick," he says -- and the council has already approved a handful of colors for the project. The council also promises eminent domain will not be used, as "when they see what's going on, if they want a new city, they're going to buy in," McDougal says. McDougal claims he'll work to "maintain the integrity of the heritage that existed 100 years ago." But part of the neighborhood's historic character comes from century-old homes and post oak trees that are by nature exceptionally vulnerable to construction damage. Although McDougal's presentation to the Irving council earlier this year did not take those trees into account, Dallas arborist Phil Erwin says that post oaks' root structure can be easily harmed by industrial traffic. Former Irving mayor Dan Matkin, the Irving Heritage Society president, with support from Lorraine Taylor, president of the Irving Heritage District Neighborhood Association and others will make a presentation at the Irving city council meeting this Thursday, July 10 about concerns among current residents as it relates to redevelopment. McDougal is currently acquiring property in hopes of starting construction in mid-to-late 2009. Here's a glimpse of what's at stake.

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