The Cedar Springs Merchants Association, which had been in existence for 30 years, hasn’t met since the pandemic. Oak Lawn merchants, bar managers and owners and others from the community met at the Round-Up Saloon last week to restart the organization. Among the topics addressed were safety and security, upcoming events and area beautification.
Among the safety issues was the growing unhoused population along Cedar Springs Road. Lit, patrolled areas are a deterrent and several unlit areas were identified. Among the ideas to improve security in the neighborhood is legislation already discussed with state Rep. Rafael Anchia to create an Oak Lawn improvement district.
Upcoming events include Pride on Cedar Springs Road. The month of festivities begin on Aug.31 with the Met Gayla Fundraiser. On Sept. 7 is the Big Gay Fair, a lot party with details coming soon. Then on Sept. 15 is the Pride Parade on Cedar Springs.
Additional merchants association events include Wine Walk. The recent event included more than 20 merchants, a record number for the monthly event.
Planning for the Halloween Block Party begins in August for the street party that usually takes place the Saturday before Halloween, but the exact date is determined by the end date of the State Fair of Texas and availability of police.
Money collected from Wine Walk has gone into beautification projects such as the rainbow Oak Lawn signs at either end of the strip, street trash cans and landscaping. The 10 rainbow crosswalks have rapidly deteriorated and the group discussed replacing them with a more durable material. Attempts to power wash them haven’t worked.
The next meeting of the merchants association is Aug. 22 at noon at the Round-Up and is open to anyone with an area business or promoting the Cedar Springs and surrounding business community.
— David Taffet