Saturday, March 21, 2009
Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District faces potential expansion
Email
|
Print
|
Tell us your story
|
Comments (23)
|
Nestled in a cluttered strand of colorful taquerias and tired tire shops, the Bishop Arts District represents what many civic leaders say is the rebirth and rebranding of Oak Cliff.
The area, located at the intersection of Davis Street and Bishop Avenue, is an oasis of independent art galleries, quirky retailers and upscale dining − often found in converted former US-Highway 80 auto shops.
By Flickr user Scutter
Drawing parallels between the Bishop Arts District area and the artsy city of Austin, President of Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Bob Stimson says the Davis Street area has seen a metamorphosis of younger traffic take place over the past five years.
“This place is just funky,’” Stimson said. “There’s an incredible amount of energy for hip, young folks.”
Many residences and shop owners say the diversity and quirkiness of Oak Cliff is exactly what makes the Davis Street area so popular. Amid recent buzz about re-development, most hope that any changes will maintain the historical integrity of the neighborhoods.
A group of local developers, homeowners, and shopkeepers recently commissioned a study to find ways to improve the area. Working with an architect, the group came up with ideas that include installing more mixed-use development with upscale retail venues, a chapel, and subsidized artist living space.
But some residents and shop owners are fearful that this sort of development could encroach on the area’s rich history. They want to preserve the older buildings and many of the Hispanic-run businesses that operate at the edge of the Bishop Arts District.
SMU alum, Oak Cliff native, and owner of Zola’s Everyday Vintage in the Bishop Arts District Annette Norman has mixed feelings about the talk of change coming.
“I don’t want things bulldozed just so someone can say, ‘I live in the hot, new area of Oak Cliff,’” said Norman.
As a shop owner though, Norman knows that change means a population shift, attracting even more young, urban professionals, which for her translates to more business.
“Bring it on,” said Norman. “The time has come.”
Tillman's Roadhouse
Testament to the increasing youthful draw of Davis Street, SMU senior Sam Stravinski recently took a party bus of 12 girlfriends to Tillman’s Roadhouse in the Bishop Arts District to celebrate her twenty-second birthday.
Despite having lived in Dallas for almost four years now, Stravinski says it wasn’t until a few months ago that she and friend even heard about the area and are glad they did.
“Being down there makes you feel like an insider,” said Stravinski. “I’m totally going back.”
Christopher Zielke, owner of Davis Street eatery Bolsa, believes that this movement of early adopters is exactly what will fuel the street’s commercial expansion.
“It’s the people who live and love here that will make the future happen,” said Zielke.
He says the people who’ve flocked for a meal at his converted garage café since its opening in July 2008 are those who are looking for something less flashy and more authentic.
“People don’t crave a cookie cutter experience,” said Zielke. “They find the atypical here and that’s cool to them.”
Piggy-backing on the growing enthusiasm for the area, homeowners and developers have formed a 12-member oversight committee, raising nearly $60,000 to fund the “Davis Street Study.”
With help from architect Larry Good of Dallas firm Good Fulton and Farrell, the study will help revamp stale zoning regulations and analyze what the best next step is for development in the area.
“Just putting zoning in place isn’t going to change the world,” Stimson said.
While the zoning changes are essential to profitable development, Stimson notes that the Davis Street Study serves more as an invitation to investors and developers to come look at the area for future projects.
Former Dallas city councilmember and current Chair of the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Ed Oakley agrees that change requires serious effort and time.
He believes that while the Davis Street area will eventually become a walkable, urban sanctuary, any sort of visible reformation will take at least five years to begin, given the current recession facing the economy.
Despite his hopes and enthusiasm for the area, this 25-year Kimball Estates resident plans to pack up, head to the other side of the Trinity, and settle into a townhouse in the Greenville area.
“I want to walk to the things I want to do,” said Oakley. “And Oak Cliff’s just not there yet.”
PAYOR -- PRINCIPAL CONTACT -- DOLLAR AMOUNT
Good Space, Inc. -- David Spence -- $10,000
Bishop Arts Leasing -- Scoggin Mayo -- $500
Ric Moore -- Ric Moore -- $250
Beckley Building -- Joe McElroy -- $750
Davis DQ, Ltd. -- Joe McElroy/Bob Stimson -- $750
Maghag, Ltd. -- Joe McElroy/ Bob Stimson -- $750
LJ Field, LLC -- Joe McElroy -- $750
1400 Davis, Ltd. -- Joe McElroy/Bob Stimson -- $1,000
Beckley Properties -- Joe McElroy/Bob Stimson -- $1,000
Bishop Street Partners -- Jim Lake -- $5,000
South Alley Loft, LLC -- Robert Bagwell -- $1,000
Fusion Advertising -- Rob Shearer -- $500
M.A.N. Partners -- Michael Nazerian -- $2,500
Incap Disbursement Co., LLC -- Alan McDonald -- $25,000
Kings Highway Conservation District -- Rick Garza -- $10,000
This story was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community.
Related stories
- Pegasus News week in view: Gonna put me in the movies edition (March 26, 2009)
See more stories in:
Find...
Latest Outbursts
- If you aren't willing to give your land away for free, the Irving City Council thinks you're a big meanie and will whine about you in the press.
- Romanian Festival in Colleyville
- Jack Ruby's hat sold for $53,775
- Dallas Morning News says North Texas Tollway Authority spending large sums on outside contractors
Today
The Wonderful Sounds of Music With the Von Trapp Children Bass Performance Hall will be alive with The Sound of Music! The actual great-grandchildren of Maria and Captain von Trapp give their last performance today. More info
Latest comments
- Christin Richard on Experience the Amazon without those pesky mosquitoes: This is an excellently written article that is culturally inspiring. I plan on visiting the exhibit....
- Jesus Valadez on PostSecret Project creator Frank Warren to speak at UT Arlington: I’ll have to skip my circuits class for this. It will be so worth it though....
- Jason Rice on Experience the Amazon without those pesky mosquitoes: ::glorified for such an indulgent stupid trivial feat. The carbon footprint of a couch potato shut i...
- Sarah Blaskovich on Experience the Amazon without those pesky mosquitoes: I’ve had a few people ask me what Lovell’s day job was before she was retired, since it’s clear that...
Latest reviews
- Billusa99 on Pappas Bros. Steak House: Agent 99 and I had dinner here last week for our anniversary and it was stellar! The somm. we had re...
- Colby Walton on El Taco H (Grapevine): Tried this Grapevine strip center taqueria for the first time tonight, after seeing it mentioned in ...
- lindabear1 on Banana Leaf Thai Cuisine: We live in Garland and this is “way up there”, but we had a coupon! Now we will go back again becaus...
Things you can't miss
Latest stories
- Farmers market at Firewheel Town Center in Garland has promising opening day
- Tickets go on sale November 21 for John Mayer's March 9 Battle Studies concert
- Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2
- Experience the Amazon without those pesky mosquitoes
- March of Dimes and Dallas Farmers Market had foodies hopping on Thursday
Comments
chasd00 Anonymous
I moved to Oak Cliff from Deep Ellum last summer. My gf and I ride bikes down to Bishop Arts regularly.
I wouldn't exactly call Bishop Arts proper "funky" but it is a nice area. Davis street is really amazing though. If it were up to me to improve the area I would work on Davis street. I definitely wouldn't try to replace what's on Davis because that would just make it suck. Instead, the street just needs some general building improvements. Some new paint on signage, newly painted parking strips and just like general facade repair. That's all the area really needs and in this economy it's the best bang for the buck.
ps "Upscale retail" went out with the stock market last Fall.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
I had moved there in the very beginning, becuase, I found Oak Cliff pure with old life needing new.... may moon's ago, while for around 7 years now, I found fault with the developers as they found fault with me,becuase they took out the funk that made Urban life....unique and natural, not the hype you find today, so they want to exspand....great into what,.. Six Flags over Bishop, then you can call it Bishop Arts over Arlington...A/T, I was here first and dont step on my tracks you copy cats...
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
JW Richard Verified
This area of Oak Cliff is primarily Latino, so sure, there are a variety of taquerias (among other food options) and most of the tire shops provide a valuable service (sometimes, late into the evening and weekends). I just think that using words like "cluttered" and "tired" is a bit unfair. Besides, can someone explain to me what a "walkable, urban sanctuary" is in practice? A current Dallas example of that would be nice.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
DC Anonymous
They must have had some top quality cocaine and some high end prostitutes to spend $60k on a study to 'discover' that developers like to sell mixed use buildings made out of paper mache and spit to people.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
chasd00 Anonymous
One thing that I really like about Davis is that there's just always so much going on. Between Edgefield and Zang there's like a small farmer's market, some car garages, a pizza place, ice cream, a bar or two, clothes, art, and restaurants. Davis is such a cool little scene of people living in their neighborhood.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
MikeyLikesIt Anonymous
Poor Dallas, always trying to fix what's not broken.
People from across the river smell a dollar in a place they would never set foot before. Their construction companies have run out of things to tear down over there and our local developers, who used to have integrity, drank the Kool-Aid. The current economy is their Jonestown.
I'm verklempt now. I'll give you a topic to discuss... A busload of SMU girls is neither "funky" nor "hip"... discuss.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
chasd00 Anonymous
I've got nothing against a busload of SMU girls anywhere ;)
7 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
DC, the vice in that area is really non existence..it is an entrance to the safe world of the retired yuppie....ben and jerrie....A/T, All of you wannabes..
7 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
david torres Verified
Anyone out there who knows what kind of commercial rent/sq ft + triple net is the norm at the Bishop Arts District? Looking at 2500-3500 sq ft, but don't want to pay more than 4.00/sq ft triple net.
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Travis Bush Verified
Better get in quick daveed before some :artsy" landlord decided to get greedy and start running up the prices, which will happen there sooner or later...Good things never last that long in Dallas..areas either get way too elitist or overpriced and end up screwing themselves and everyone else.
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
There are no greedy landlords in Oak Cliff,....no they all have good badge's,but you know what,..I never see any of the land Lord's stay more then 6 year's.....Hey Gringo we dont need no badge's.........and these artist, we dont need your canvas......You wanta know what... Bishop Arts is ok, but dont knock Oak Farm's......now that is Oak Cliff.....A/T, Call me flaco in Chico Mexico....
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
david torres Verified
Flaco....huh? What does that mean? "We don't need no badges" mean?.....I really want to look at Ft Worth Avenue, east of Hampton, but i hear the land owners are about to make a killing out there. Speaking of killing, i also heard that Passions Bar is closing down, too.I like Bishop Arts, though. Is there alot of traffic out there? or is it just a "weekend" area?
3 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
david torres Verified
one more question....is Bishop Arts, more or less, a "weekend area", or does it get busy on the weeknites?
3 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
There again for an area that came about around 1914, as a couple of store front's, a Barber shop and street car line,that was pretty in back then...... while by late 1960's, death had come to an old aging anglo community,and who would of ever thought artist like Geroge Green would move to the Kramer building on Bishop up from Scogan Mayo's photo..today....
While George would show Texas Cockroaches on paper in New York city, now that was the real Bishop Arts part village part behind the scene art thing........A/T, dont become wanabe,do the right thing...
3 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
david torres Verified
I see in the news that they're trying to get funding to reopen the street car, from Jefferson/bishop arts to Union Station. Is this going to be good for the area?
3 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
DC Anonymous
No. Transients.
3 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Hathaway Verified
transients are already here. The streetcar will be a major boon.
As for landlords, I can say emphatically that Joe McElroy and his wife Linda are HUGE supporters of anything and anyone artistic. They've lived in OC for a long time and are among the best cheerleaders for any improvement that maintains the integrity of the area in general.
Daveed - look over here in Lake Cliff and the surrounding area. Stop by the Sq Ft Realty office right behind Spiral Diner and have a chat with Joe & co.
3 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
Well what is new, the exspansion will give that area one thing....raise the rent's again, glad to have gotten out when I did and stand back and watch that neat area become a .......freak show parking lot....A/T, Some loose some win, the winners walk away,but relfect, that was an intresting place....
3 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
david torres Verified
is there going to be a FIRST THURSDAY at Bishop Arts district? If so, what is it? Just that everyone stays open late? just wondering....
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
Fair Park is in really bad shape,while it had its day like Deep Elm, then again Bishop Arts came about in 1987, so...here we are 2009, and it is ok....quaint and busy..but...where else in Oak Cliff the thing that is hip,Edgefelid is another hidden place....25 villages in Oak Cliff since 1909....A/T, I Was in one of them years ago....
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
david torres Verified
Fair park had it's chance to be revived when Eddie Gossage and co. proposed building in that area. However the 'residents' didn't want it. Didn't Jerry Jones propose locating Cowboys' stadium in Fair Park, once upon a time, where the Cotton Bowl is?
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Travis Bush Verified
Yes..and Laura Miller killed that, which basically handed it right over to Arlington.
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
david torres Verified
W wanted to move the Rangers to Downtown Dallas, and i think laura miller quashed that too!
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Post a comment