Dallas Morning News launches Bridging Dallas’ North-South Gap project, pledge to follow through
Categories: Dallas, Old School Friday
Written By: Shawn Williams
The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board launched their Bridging Dallas’ North-South Gap Project in Sunday’s paper. They have had a number of articles and columns leading up to eight page spread.
I’d suggest that everyone pick up a copy of Sunday’s paper to pour through the massive amount of statistics and data that they present.
The Bridging the Gap team is lead by deputy editorial page editor Sharon Grigsby. I must say the word “crusade” that the paper used to describe their effort is the only way to characterize what Ms. Grigsby has put into this project over the last year. Sharon has sat down with a number of stakeholders, advocates, and concerned citizens in Southern Dallas, including meeting with me on multiple occasions. The former Pleasant Grove resident is so passionate about this effort, even the most skeptical among us would concede here that her desire for change is genuine.
The editorial board has selected five neighborhoods to focus the spotlight on as they advocate for progress in Southern Dallas. This week they will spend a day on each area which includes:
One idea the News had that I’ll have to spend more time investigating is the creation of a Southern Dallas Development Corp. Here’s an excerpt from their editorial on the need for such a group.
For southern Dallas to realize its potential, these neighborhoods must have their own agency with power and permanence. They need a staff of full-time advocates – from fiscal advisers to planners to developers and land brokers to lobbyists – who think only of best practices.
Creating a development corporation that is connected to – but not reliant on – City Hall would offer the best chance for success. This public-private umbrella organization would aggressively pursue federal and state funds, leverage expertise, recruit and retain businesses and respond to neighborhoods’ needs.
Check out the Bridging the Gap page, which I seen includes the first column that I wrote for the paper last year. And PLEASE, PLEASE, check out the interactive videos attached to the Invisible City map.
I think the Morning News is on to something, but it will take a collective effort to make their vision of a whole city -a vision shared by many of us- become a reality. This is a great first step taken by Ms. Grigsby, Editorial Page Editor Keven Ann Willey, and their team. They can count on Dallas South to do whatever we can to help out.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
Although there are a few things I would dispute in the article, I think the News made some great points.
However, the Jefferson Blvd area is not “the Heart of Oak Cliff.” Maybe “the Heart of North Oak Cliff”, but the heart of OC is the Corinth/Lancaster corridor.
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 am
I’m glad to see a Pleasant Grove section. This struck very close to home:
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:33 am
There is a GAPING HOLE in the 5 areas that they have chosen, and that is Southeast Oak Cliff. They obviously couldn’t cover everything, but just looking at their map one only has to think about driving out of Area 4 (Red Bird) on Ledbetter all the way into Area 5 (Pleasant Grove) and all of the areas of opportunity that exist.
None of the Blue Rail stops made the list, I think you could have made a case for Lancaster-Kiest. Again, good job by the News though.
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:49 am
Wonderful article! I wrote to the editorial board on this subject, so I hope I make the cut for Thursday. I made comment about the SW Center Mall area.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Great move by the Editorial board. Now it is up to us to help them hold the elected officials feet to the fire to make this beautiful vision a reality.
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Its’ about time Dallas Morning News! Keep up the true series, so far your’e on target. BUT!!! don’t forget their are more than five communities and some of us are already working and planning within our own communities”
June 24th, 2008 at 7:37 am
As one of the writers of the series, I’m really excited about the energy and detail that went into making this project happen.
Now the challenge is to empower these neighborhoods, and of course, elected officials to push forward with change.
I’ve been at the News since 1984. In that time, I’ve seen numerous reports and plans accurately outline the critical issues facing southern Dallas communities. But I’ve also seen those reports gather dust, in part, because change carries a price tag, namely, the need to overinvest to make up for years of underinvestment.
The DMN editorial board is determined to prod and encourage decision makers to attack this challenge head on. There are many economic and quality of life reasons to narrow the gap between north and south. The sooner that residents, elected offiicals and businessmen fully embrace the idea that north and south need each other, the faster change will come.
Enlightened self interest can be an amazing impetus for change.