Preservation Task Force Hits a Wall in Dallas City Council

Big questions remain about how Dallas will address preservation controversies in the future. Meanwhile the past hangs in the balance.

1 minute read

April 24, 2015, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Yesterday’s long-awaited developments — actually, the lack of developments — related to the Downtown Historic Preservation Task Force’s ideas for protecting our city’s history were maddening," according to an op-ed by Sharon Grigsby.

To sum up her frustration, Grigsby writes: "Judging by the foot-dragging yesterday by the Arts, Culture and Libraries Committee, the task force did a lot of work just to have it swatted away for the time being."

Grigsby also provides a summary of the controversial events that led to the creation of the task force, such as the surprise demolition of storefronts along Elm and Maine. Grigsby notes that the Dallas Morning News editorial board met with task force members last week, encountering optimism that the group had formulated an actionable plan. The Arts, Culture and Libraries Committee, however, quickly put an end to that enthusiasm by only passing one of the items suggested by the task force.

Robert Wilsonky reports the news of the council committee's actions, especially the details on the ordinance that moved forward and the actions that the committee delayed.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 in The Dallas Morning News

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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