Downtown Dallas provides another example of the redemptive power of adaptive reuse. With the number of empty buildings declining every year and more ambitious projects on the way, is it safe to say Downtown Dallas is all the way back?
A Dallas Morning News editorial describes the ongoing revival of the southeastern corner of Downtown Dallas: "Just think of the change that has occurred in the southeastern corner of downtown. The Lone Star Gas Lofts, the Continental Building, the opening of Main Street Garden, the redesign of the University of North Texas’ downtown campus, the plan to convert the old Dallas Municipal Courts building into UNT Law School." The editorial credits a "commitment from city leadership to invest in bold public-private partnerships to restore aging buildings" for the turnaround.
The story follows an earlier article by Steve Brown with a headline that reads: "Downtown Dallas is running out of empty buildings." Brown was writing specifically of the recently announced redevelopment of two of Dallas' largest empty buildings: the 52-story former First National Bank tower at 1401 Elm Street and Statler-Hilton Hotel on Commerce Street.
Dallas Morning News Architecture Critic Mark Lamster tweeted his response to the Downtown Dallas comeback narrative, citing the area's momentum but also mentioning the remaining empty buildings and providing a negative review for a proposed parking garage at Pacific Plaza.
FULL STORY: Editorial: Southeastern edge of downtown is alive again

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

Renters Now Outnumber Homeowners in Over 200 US Suburbs
High housing costs in city centers and the new-found flexibility offered by remote work are pushing more renters to suburban areas.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

Supreme Court Ruling in Pipeline Case Guts Federal Environmental Law
The decision limits the scope of a federal law that mandates extensive environmental impact reviews of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
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