Urbanization (Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano: 2013, hotel, employment)

[Bypass13]

Richardson, Plano parlaying DART stations into urban-style development | Dallas-Fort Worth Communities - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Smart move on those cities' and developers' parts. Usually, light/rapid rail lines do spur that sort of development. In other areas, park 'n rides at least offer people an easier way to commute further into town.

On two recent weekends, my partner & I have used DART trains to go into town for different reasons. There is a station less than a mile from our home. We find it easy and convenient - stops are usually within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, businesses, etc. And of course downtown.... Well, my only critique is that there is a lack of "franking" - where you actually validate the ticket you've just purchased. But if the system works well enough without that accountability, fine by me!

[Obamney1]

Smart future planning and another step in right direction.

[TheOverdog]

Is it just me or should Richardson move their Dart station (or add a new one) on the corner of Campbell & 75? The development on that corner is pretty impressive if you need to live north of downtown for employment-related reasons. The Gatlyn Park station seems poorly situated to me, near a hotel and some empty fields, and with no access to the west side of the freeway.


Plano is apparently about to do some major redevelopment/beautification from Central east down 15th street to downtown. That area is not bad as well, and is doing ok despite fewer employment opportunities than the Campbell Road area.

[TX75007]

I drive by those areas every day. If anyone thinks Richardson will be dense urban development in the next 20 years, you are smoking the ganja. Open land, class B single story office parks, and data centers dominate the Richardson location. Plano is the same. And I do not see many crowds at the rail stations - which are poorly designed in the first place. No place to stay dry when it is raining and bitterly cold in the winter.

Just another puff piece by the DMN.

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

Is it just me or should Richardson move their Dart station (or add a new one) on the corner of Campbell & 75? The development on that corner is pretty impressive if you need to live north of downtown for employment-related reasons. The Gatlyn Park station seems poorly situated to me, near a hotel and some empty fields, and with no access to the west side of the freeway.


Plano is apparently about to do some major redevelopment/beautification from Central east down 15th street to downtown. That area is not bad as well, and is doing ok despite fewer employment opportunities than the Campbell Road area.

I agree.

Take a look at NYC or Chicago to see what dense urbanization is.

[Bypass13]

No we are not trying to be NYC by 2022, its just a good move towards future. People need options for travel and developed countries should offer some. Not everyone enjoys crawling from McKinney to Dallas on 75. Tollways are another good option but we need to think green for future.

You should visit Plano more often or you'll never find out that there is a whole lot going in Plano than your beloved data centers that you keep mentioning every time you use word Plano. :-)

[TX75007]

Originally Posted by Bypass13

Tollways are another good option but we need to think green for future.

What is green about DART?

I see a huge outlay of resources and very few riders.

By any measure, outside of a 4 mile radius around downtown Dallas and FTW, DART is hugely inefficient.

IMHO, we could take all the riders on DART and GIVE them electric cars and still be ahead financially. And if someone wanted to feel good about it, we could throw in a starbucks card.

Driverless cars will do more for "green" than anything. The Zipcar franchise is another great idea.

Of course, if you own the land near the stations, its a great idea!

[Obamney1]

DFW needs to cut down on cars and attract more commuters towards DART if we want a long term solution instead of keep changing band aids.

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by TX75007

Take a look at NYC or Chicago to see what dense urbanization is.

That's comparing apples to oranges. Those cities have been that way for decades and decades. We're talking about certain areas becoming that way in the foreseeable future...

[Spade]

Originally Posted by TX75007

What is green about DART?

I see a huge outlay of resources and very few riders.

By any measure, outside of a 4 mile radius around downtown Dallas and FTW, DART is hugely inefficient.

IMHO, we could take all the riders on DART and GIVE them electric cars and still be ahead financially. And if someone wanted to feel good about it, we could throw in a starbucks card.

Driverless cars will do more for "green" than anything. The Zipcar franchise is another great idea.
Of course, if you own the land near the stations, its a great idea!

More cars on already clogged roads. That's the spirit. That makes sense.