bigdsenorita

Bad taste. 'If' someone was offended is a cop-out. City officials should know better than to do something so juvenile. Not everyone in Allen is like that I am sure, but sadly it does reinforce Allen's reputation in many places as a mindless suburb.

Great. Just what we need. Someone advocating development should happen, yet again, north of downtown. Because of course that is what all the taxpayers south and west of downtown should support with their tax dollars. Again.

To all the smart ass cynics out there: the bridge was intended for pedestrians also, but the design had to change when costs went up (trying to recall how much you ponied up when the ask for donations went out)?

So now the MHH will just carry cars but the Contiental Bridge will be all about pedestrians and bikes and a park. Or maybe you'd rather the kids of West Dallas be made to walk and play right next to 6 lanes of traffic?

Truly, how do we all exist without your omnipresent wisdom about these things?

Jasmine's is the only authentic voice here. Who cares if people in West Dallas know who he is? They DO NOW, which is the point. Never is someone famous supposed to be allowed to do work in West Dallas? Never are the people of West Dallas to be allowed to be exposed to and learn about someone of international renown?

As for the local artists lament, sorry but I am tired of it. There is not a sophisticated city on the planet -- not New York, Paris, Prague, Sydney -- not ONE that believes any and all public artwork should be reserved to local artists. That is more the 'you aint from around these here parts are ya' thinking found in places like Little Rock, Shreveport and Baton Rouge. Local artists shouldnt be unilaterally ignored here (and they are not) and neither must they always get the commission.

THAT is what makes for a sophisticated urban environment.

This project is not, as the author implies,"an effort to help resurrect West Dallas."

First of all, the people of West Dallas do not consider their neighborhood "dead" as implied here. Neither does Shepard Fairey.

This is merely an art project taking place in West Dallas. That is all it is. Fairey has no intention of trying to resurrect the area with his murals. West Dallas is merely the backdrop for his works.