Why is Fort Worth's downtown so much nicer than Dallas? (Center: condos, hotel)

[Refugee56]

I really liked Downtown Fort Worth Tx during a recent trip to the area. It seemed so much nicer than Dallas. Downtown Dallas has a nice looking downtown if you look at all the skyscrapers at night. But if you want to walk around and shop/eat in downtown Dallas things do not look so nice. I see mostly homeless and parking lots.

Why is Downtown Fort Worth so nice and downtown Dallas so run down?

[BigCanada]

Originally Posted by Refugee56

I really liked Downtown Fort Worth Tx during a recent trip to the area. It seemed so much nicer than Dallas. Downtown Dallas has a nice looking downtown if you look at all the skyscrapers at night. But if you want to walk around and shop/eat in downtown Dallas things do not look so nice. I see mostly homeless and parking lots.

Why is Downtown Fort Worth so nice and downtown Dallas so run down?

Two words. Bass Brothers.

[Texas-RE-Broker]

Originally Posted by BigCanada

Two words. Bass Brothers.

that about sums it up. They have spent alot of money down there. Our downtown is still suppose to double in size

[CatWoman83]

Free parking: Bass Family.
More security: Bass Family.
Nightlife: Bass Family.

[beowulf7]

Thank goodness for Bass, and I'm not just referring to the opposite of treble. Although I've only lived in FW for 2+ years, I've heard that prior to the early 1990s, downtown FW turned into a ghost town outside of normal business hours. I love it how they provide plenty of free parking during nights and weekends. And it's reassuring to see so many cops on bikes patrolling Sundance Square.

[loves2read]

but to give it, its due
Fort Worth has a smaller, more condensed downtown than Dallas which is larger... and FTW downtown in turn is closer to the museum area than downtown Dallas is to Fair Park...it would be really nice if the city would do some sort of trolley or bus into the zoo/museum area on weekends maybe and let people have both sides...or from downtown FTW to Stockyards/La Grave field...

because Fort Worth was fairly stagnant for years when Dallas was growing, there was not that much to un-do...the tornado that came through FTW was sort of blessing in disguise--because the big bank tower could not be rehabed easily--it was sold off and turned into condos--that started the trend or was leading edge of the trend...
Bass Brothers' support was major reason for the financing and design strategy and Bass Hall as become a world-recognized performance hall--putting it in downtown vs the museum area was what I think tipped the scales...it brought people into downtown at night and gave people a reason to eat downtown and walk around...that brought other businesses into downtown for retail shopping...

[unchainthedogs]

I agree with all of the above. I hope Ft. Worth's growth doesn't destroy our charm.

[crossroad]

Dallas Uptown is very nice, walkable and safe.

[JJG]

One reason why downtown has its charm because of Fort Worth's small town atmosphere. As much as it grows, it still has that. Plus, with all the redevelopment, Sundance Square, restoration of older buildings, and the new Omni Hotel across from the Convention Center, it gives people more reason to come to downtown.

....And let's not forget that little Trinity River Vision project, which will double the size of the area and the talk of streetcars, which are slowly becoming a reality.

[sndayschld]

Because Dallas officials steal all of the city's money.