Proposed Fair Park tower, from a pdf of a City of Dallas Landmark Commission agenda
The latest piece of useless downtown architecture is a ferris wheel approved by Dallas County Commissioners Court at Tuesday’s meeting. Another ferris wheel? Really?
First Dallas built that hideous new 1980s glass box of a hotel that’s attached to the Dallas Convention Center. How much more would it have cost to tell the architect to make the building attractive? Make it a place people will say, “Hey, I wanna stay there.”
OK. The lighting at night is interesting. But the architecture is as updated as the city’s other half-empty decades-old reflective-glass office towers.
Next, there’s The Bridge to Ray’s Gun Shop. That’s not the official name, just what the people at the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League are calling it.
Impressive close up; a meaningless non-golden arch from a distance. Iconic? Only because the Trinity River will be recognized around the world as the smallest trickle of water ever crossed by suspension bridge. And it’s destined to become a traffic nightmare each evening when six-lane Woodall Rodgers crosses the mighty Trinity River and backs up onto two-lane Singleton Boulevard in West Dallas.
For the same money we could have had two or three new bridges that crossed to where much of the traffic is actually going — Oak Cliff. Hopefully Ray, operator of the oldest sporting goods store in Dallas, will see an increase in business.
Now the Dallas Commissioners Court has approved a new ferris wheel for Founders Plaza.
Daniel Cates and GetEQUAL will have to find a new location for weddings, protests and other demonstrations.
A ferris wheel? Don’t we already have one of the largest — yet mostly unused — ferris wheels in the world a mile away in Fair Park?
OK, this one is being billed as a 17-story “observation wheel.” What’s an observation wheel? Well, it’s round and has baskets and rotates in a vertical circle. Like a ferris wheel. What about it is not like a ferris wheel? The baskets will be air conditioned and a ticket will cost $15. And unlike the Texas Star in Fair Park, it will be a sightseeing attraction. And the Texas Star? Well, that’s just a ferris wheel.
And if downtown is going to have a ferris wheel, then Fair Park must have an observation tower. This planned 500-foot needle will be nothing like downtown’s Reunion Tower. And it will never be built because Fair Park is on the glide path to Love Field and the FAA won’t approve it, but that’s beside the point. And unlike Reunion, this won’t have a restaurant and there won’t be an elevator.
The observation deck itself will ride up and down the spire. To see downtown. Which you apparently can’t do from the nearby ferris wheel — because 49 weeks a year, it doesn’t operate.
Who doesn’t know the answer to this question? Republicans, like any conservative so typically fixated on image, have much more money than brains. And Dallas Republicans are most wasteful, materialistic and insecure corporate boobs of any Republicans.
Mr. Taffett, just so you know the Needle at Fair Park has already started construction. There is a big hole in the ground right now. We both know the State Fair of Texas does not start things it doesn’t plan on finishing. So you might want it edit your next to last paragraph.
Thanks
Agreed, and I have to say the new museum that is being built seems rather bland compared to the other buildings around it and the once opened Park.
If I want to see the city it will take more than a 17-story wheel with A/C. I go up in the Chase Bank tower and roam around their observation floor now and then when I want a view or fly Southwest.
Uh, not to get picky, but it is NOT a suspension bridge. A suspension bridge has arches and cables that the roadway is actually suspended from. The hold up the road. The Margaret Hunt Hill bridge’s arch and cables are strictly for show. Like an escort at a party; pretty, but hardly necessary.
How fake. How DALLAS! 🙂
Has anyone ever seen a story about something good the Dallas City Counsel has ever done? All we ever hear about is controversy and bickering. I say fire the lot of them and start over!
Yeah Taffet, how dare our city continue to roll out building projects that stimulate this down economy and generate activity. Such civic projects are rarely greeted too warmly by the loudmouth critic, but often end up having deep value to the community. And as far as the “bridge-to-nowhere” statement goes, just because there’s ‘nothing there’ (though I’m sure a lot of people out West would beg to differ) doesn’t mean that within the next few years it won’t spur the type of development that will raise some heads and garner some interest in the area, where the city will hopefully continue to build projects. Maybe even another ‘ferris wheel’ 🙂
Texan: I’m not against building projects. I would have built an attractive hotel rather than that architectural piece of crap. It might have even cost more doing more stimulating.
For the same money as the Bridge to Ray’s Gun Shop, I would have built 3 bridges with at least one going directly into Oak Cliff. Where do you see me calling it the Bridge to Nowhere? I hope Ray’s business picks up. And Fiesta’s. I hope Fiesta posts a sign, “Last Gas Before Bridge.” And actually I don’t care what we call it, but it will probably be best known as the Woodall Rodgers extension. But no one is going to use the name that honors someone from a family that crashed the silver market and has gotten so much and given back so little.
But this was all prompted by the ferris wheel — which I think is a dopey idea. We have one that used to run during the year but no longer does. Building another one? It’ll be a novelty for awhile and then just stand there when. $30 for 2 people to ride it for 10 minutes?
And the observation tower in Fair Park? I know the foundation’s been poured and construction will start after the Fair closes. But we’ll see what the FAA says. Local building permits were granted for Southland Center to be several stories taller before the FAA stepped in.
Dear Mr. Taffet, aka Bitter Betty:
I have no idea what this story has to do with the GLBT community. If you want to write about construction projects in Downtown Dallas, I suggest you go write for another publication. At the very least, please do your research. The following document contains information about the Fair Park observation tower and on page 117 you can read the FAA’s “Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation” letter.
Thank you,
An informed citizen
https://dallascityhall.com/meetings/landmark_commission/landmark_agenda-docket_020711.pdf
I first moved here in 1996 as a corporate transplant. Transamerica was the first large company to move their operation into downtown Dallas in over a decade … Blockbuster followed shortly after. I was surprised at how dead the area was during non-work times. I remember a Sunday afternoon in the Adolphus Hotel with nothing to do but watch a movie in the room. I am amazed at how the downtown and surrounding districts have improved and continue to do so.
This article focuses on a few features that can easily be criticized, but if you consider the complexity and diversity of the entire plan, I believe most will see the artistic contrast of these efforts. You can view the plans at the link below.
https://www.dallascityhall.com/forwardDallas/index.html
“Next, there’s The Bridge to Ray’s Gun Shop. That’s not the official name, just what the people at the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League are calling it.” And that’s why the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League is seen by the rest of the world as just another bitter enclave of Oak Cliff hippies. Nice spokespersons for you, Oak Cliff!
“This planned 500-foot needle will be nothing like downtown’s Reunion Tower.”
Except that this will actually be open to the public. Last I checked, the observation deck at Reunion Tower never opened after the 2008 renovation (unless you are dining at Wolfgang Puck, where you have to pay $$$ a plate).
P.S. Here is how to take the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge to Oak Cliff.
1. Cross bridge and merge onto Singleton Ave.
2. Turn left on Sylvan Ave. and continue south until to reach Davis.
Alternatively, you can take the existing bridge, the Houston Viaduct, which merges onto Zang Blvd.
The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is a suspension bridge. Go Figure needs to check his/her figures. The arch and the cables do hold up the road.
Rob – it is Council not Counsel. Your criticism has more credibility if your spelling is correct. Finally, the Margaret McDermott Bridge, which is funded, will replace the existing I30 Bridge which, I believe goes to Oak Cliff. It is also a Calatrava.
Go Figure – get your facts straight. The MHHB is a “CABLE STAYED BRIDGE”, the road deck from pier to pier IS suspended by the parabolic arch and cables.
I love the emotion with which people are responding to a post about an overpass, a hotel, a ride and an observation tower.
What I haven’t seen is anyone saying, “Hey, I like the bridge” or “I think the hotel is a welcome addition to that part of downtown and the glass veneer is what makes the nightly light show possible.” Does anyone just like any of these additions?
Craig, the I-35 and I-30 bridges will go to Oak Cliff but as replacements, not additions. I would have preferred additional river overpasses, although the existing bridges do need to be replaced. I’d like to see Oak Lawn Avenue continue over the river to West Dallas. I love driving through the river bottoms at Sylvan, but I’d like to see a bridge like we have at Hampton and Mockingbird as an alternative. And we need a bridge between the Zang/Jefferson viaduct and I-35.
David,
Look at the title of your article. If you had named it, “An Overpass, a Hotel, and an Observation Tower … I just don’t like them”, then great. You don’t like them. By the way, “Hey, I like the bridge”, but I saw your article as a global attack on the urban development of Dallas. The best thing about your article is it caused me to learn more about the great and diverse plans Dallas has for it’s future.
My concern about the new bridge is that is a short distance from a perfectly usable bridge (Continental) that worked. I always used it when in Oak Lawn at “Rush hour” to go to Oak Cliff on Beckley. Now this usable bridge for cars will be converted into a pedestrian bridge. The new bridge won’t even connect to Beckley so it will take me longer to get to Oak Cliff. The only people who will build and develop in West Dallas will be from out of town since they don’t know about the lead contamination and other problems with the soil in that part of the city. I just wish Dallas would get over their inferiority complex and use local architects to design public buildings. I want to show visitors buildings that are designed for our climate and most public buildings here are not. The Winspear is the latest example of a poorly designed building that is awkward to use and potentially dangerous in case of an emergency. I just hope when the new Resource Center is built it is designed by local architects.
It IS illogical to build a competing ferris wheel, especially since Fair Park is becoming a year round destination. Downtown will floursih eventually, especially when the new dek park and Perot Museum are completed. However, the missing link remains between the West End and Victory Plaza and that is where the focus should be. Perhaps if they built a CityWalk akin to the ones that can be found at Universal Studios in LA and Orlando, then downtown Dallas may become a “true” destination!
David… it sure is easy to be an armchair quarterback and just complain about everything. The only ideas you offer are building imaginary bridges to everywhere you want to go without any regard for property owners or the engineering it would take to link “… a bridge from Zang to I-35” Really!??!?!
M: Still haven’t heard from anyone that they actually like any of these things. There already is a bridge from Zang. Maybe one south of the I-35 bridge. I’m just saying a couple of extra overpasses would help traffic from Oak Cliff and the Bridge to Ray’s Gun Shop won’t. I’m not understanding the argument that it wouldn’t.
And if you like the new hotel downtown, just say so. I think it’s a boring piece of architecture. And the ferris wheel idea I think is just dopey. But if you like it, just say so. I’m not criticizing other opinions. I welcome them. And I’m still finding the level of passion over crap fascinating. Because whether or not there’s another ferris wheel, really affects nothing. Maybe it will be some added revenue. But as long as people keep commenting, I’ll keep playing.
And why won’t I call the overpass by its name? It’s named after the matriarch of one of the stingiest families in Texas. I think it’s a horrible choice of a name. The only place you’ll see the Hunt name in Dallas is on an office building downtown that received tax abatements under threat of leaving town. Again, if you like the name, feel free to defend the prototype for Miss Ellie.
David did you finally snap out of a Republican cocoon and open you eyes? Best read of yours so far!! Welcome back to the real World! It’s just that you left out the park over Wendell Rogers tunnel. The most expensive park in the state in the least populated area of the city!
Great post, however, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is A CABLE STAYED BRIDGE.
It is NOT a suspension bridge nor a cantilever bridge. Texas is getting a bad enough reputation for poor education…. let’s not let this post be an example of that.
thanks.
Just so another yahoo like who has previously commented above (just because something looks like something to you doesn’t make it so…. I guess that’s why Texas voted for Bush twice and Perry’s been governor so long)….This state REALLY needs more science and engineering classes.
A multiple-tower cable-stayed bridge may appear similar to a suspension bridge, but in fact is very different in principle and in the method of construction. In the suspension bridge, a large cable hangs between two towers, and is fastened at each end to anchorages in the ground or to a massive structure. In the cable-stayed bridge, the towers form the primary load-bearing structure. A cantilever approach is often used for support of the bridge deck near the towers, but areas further from them are supported by cables running directly to the towers.
Pathetic people responding to another pathetic article about a very pathetic Dallas. Btw, love the Republican bashing-pathetic.
You call that bridge what you want. But I call it the “Dumb Bridge”. And then there is another $250,000,000 construction project in downtown that has been causing traffic problem for almost two years. I call that one the “Dog Park”. Which idiot is the brainless child behind that project? For that money, one could have built 1000 quarter million dollar homes in south Dallas, and make that part of the city a vibrant place.
And what is that monstrosity that looks like a bandaged building with dagger on it’s side. What an eye sore! How long do we have to suffer this? When will it be torn down? Go do something useful to spur economy. Build some bridges to take the i-30 thru traffic from entering downtown, and alleviate the traffic jam.
Oh what can I say. This entire country suffered through 8 years of idiocy from 2000 to 2008, and people around the world suffered with us. This time its only the Dallas people suffering the consequences.
Dallas is a mostly democratic city especially in Downtown we build this stuff because we aren’t spending enough money.