Downtown Dallas association holding contest to pretty up facade of vacant Grand Hotel

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — DowntownDallas is sponsoring a design competition to cover up the facade of the old, vacant Grand Hotel. It's just a temporary facade that they seek; they want it covered because they don't want it to despoil the October debut of Main Street Garden.

The contest is being co-sponsored by the American Institute of Architects Dallas, which is the only group allowed to submit designs (not fair!). They expect 20-25 submissions by the deadline of July 28.

Posted by T.G.

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Russ Vandeveerdonk says:

I saw them starting to do something there at the old Statler Hilton this morning. Sounds like a good and fun idea. WHAT a great area this can become visually and the Mercantile's swimming pool!! Wow!!!!

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4 months, 1 week ago
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Rick Yost says:

"...an extension of the city's determination to clean up vacant storefronts across downtown." Dallas is determined, that's rich!

You know, I'm no brain to be sure, but it seems that instead of trying to clean up those vacant storefronts, why not just encourage and assist small businesses to bring their businesses to downtown and occupy those storefronts? Why take so much effort and taxpayer money to hide the fact that Dallas doesn't care about small business?
This 'prettying up' of the Statler is just about as stupid as the streetcar idea, or the park on main itself. Does anyone else see that all this appearance work, doesn't cover up the fact that the City of Dallas has let the downtown area completely die out? How much of your taxes do you want them to spend to hide this fact?

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4 months ago
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Rick Yost says:

To hell with the architects, have a real-estate salesperson contest to see who can find a tenant for the Statler that will actually open it up and do something with it instead of waiting for the sq ft price to go up?

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4 months ago
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ch0 says:

I would love to hear Rick's voice at a City Hall meeting, for sure. "Hello? slap McFly?"

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4 months ago
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Rick Yost says:

While downtown is in the 'contest' mode, how about a 'Homeless Contest'? When the park on main opens, hold a olympic-style competition- homeless folks only.
The events could include: running from the cops, how much change can you panhandle in 10 minutes, defecating while leaning against a dumpster (sure to be a big crowd pleaser), and how many large trash bags of stuff can you carry across a busy intersection. It'd be a hoot!

The winner could receive six-months paid rent in a modest hovel somewhere (to be donated), a very used- but operating car (donated), and a job! (no donation- a real job)

Oh but, I'm sorry, I forget, Dallas is determined to pretty up downtown. Nevermind.