Digging in northeast Dallas incites curiosity from neighbors

by Caitlyn Buckley

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We get the scoop on what's replacing the razed apartments along Skillman.

LAKE HIGHLANDS — A drive northbound on Skillman between Southwestern and Royal Lane may be a puzzling experience for those who haven't taken the trip in awhile.

Areas that were once dense with apartment buildings are now razed and cleared to dirt. To the untrained eye, it may look like the guys in hard hats are just milling around in the mud, bulldozers moving dust from pile to pile. But ask the average Lake Highlands resident, myself included, what the land at Skillman and Walnut Hill is going to be, and they’ll share the same excited answer for you: the long-anticipated Lake Highlands Town Center.

As we reported in 2007, Prescott Realty broke ground on the project. Since the economic downturn, not much progress has been made, but the retail-starved community has been told to expect a mixed-development area complete with upscale apartments and condos, restaurants, grocery and retail stores, offices, and even a DART station. The go-greeners will be pleased to hear that Prescott has taken steps to keep the Town Center’s construction “as green as possible" by preserving trees in the area, recycling bricks and crushed concrete, and seeking LEED certification, among other efforts.

Local resident David Banowsky said, "I'm excited for the town center to be completed. The steps they are taking to keep the development green is commendable and makes me feel good about going there when it's done."

The planned complex just down the road at Timbercreek Crossing – located on the northwest corner of Skillman and Northwest Highway – is not as well-known as the development of the Town Center but is also expecting a renewed appearance. The section wasn't as heavily noticed, mostly because it’s located in between neighborhoods and because developer Trammel Crow hasn’t been as open with the public as Prescott about their big plans.

The Lake Highlands Advocate reports that the “anchor stores” of this 44-acre development at Timbercreek Crossing will be a Wal-Mart, a JCPenney, and a Sam’s Club. No word on what will happen, if anything, to the Sam's nearby on Park Lane. There are also rumors of a Bank of America and Chick Fil-A at the same intersection.

Residents living near these two anticipated sites say they will be happy when the dirt stops swirling and the developers begin building.

Long-time Lake Highlands homeowner Beverly Traylor told us, "I'm happy that this land will be developed, but I'm starting to wonder when. I'll love to get to shop close to home, but it's been forever since the project was announced and I don't see a lot happening."

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