tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116035327813253055.post8412202683078091848..comments2023-04-28T10:55:41.652-07:00Comments on An Urban Rambler: Planting Shrubs to Fix a FoundationBrandenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773092281736359503noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116035327813253055.post-51688679929859573272012-06-12T10:47:47.977-07:002012-06-12T10:47:47.977-07:00Branden, I like the thought process here, but I th...Branden, I like the thought process here, but I think you've missed some key details that ultimately affect the actions that need to be taken to "fix" Victory. First, I'll just come out and say I think in the long-term focusing retail on Victory Park Lane is actually a good thing (though I agree Houston Street and Victory Avenue should've been done better--with the latter having a greater chance of being addressed in the next wave of development).<br /><br />For a good pedestrian environment to exist, the pedestrian must not feel exposed. Hence the importance of street trees, canopies, and--this is the big one in my opinion--the presence of structures on both sides of the street, preferably across a relatively narrow road. Ultimately that is how I think Victory gets improved--replacing every surface parking lot on the west side of Victory Park Lane with buildings, street trees, and ground-floor uses (mostly retail, could be some other things). Once this is done the street (Victory Park Lane) will feel like the heart of the area, not like the fringe. That surface parking is just a desert that needs to go.<br /><br />Also, you missed the biggest item on connectivity to the adjacent neighborhood. The superblock on Houston Street's east side (apartments) is just brutal. In an ideal world Cedar Springs Road would connect to Museum Way. Since that isn't about to change, pedestrian connections need to be made a higher priority near the new Perot Museum, and Olive Street needs a road diet to make it more friendly to pedestrians and bikes (the latter a whole different topic about Dallas's woes). Also, this superblock and fence creates the same type of "desert" effect as the surface parking lots on Victory Park Lane--meaning that retail would have failed on Houston Street as well, even if the road was narrowed. (I will concede this street does still have the best connectivity to downtown.)<br /><br />As to the DART item, I agree with your point on the station being so far from anything. Some of the upcoming development will help fill in that gap and connect to the station, but it is still a problem. That is why we need to push DART and the City to come up with the money for the D2 alignment that would provide for a second LRT station near the southern end of Victory, essentially filling in the gap between Victory Station and West End Station.<br /><br />One last point--the small park at the southern end of Victory Park Lane can be a huge asset if the other sides around it are filled in with uses that front the park. Combine this with activating the park (street vendors, etc.) and you could have a great urban space.TxCityGuynoreply@blogger.com