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

portrait of professional woman

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. Mary G., Urban Planner

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.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight