Dallas Morning News, The (TX): Document Display

Dallas Morning News, The (TX)

July 21, 2005

Streets may be realigned
City says community college requires rethinking plans
RICHARD ABSHIRE Staff Writer

With a community college campus coming downtown, city officials said it might be a good idea to make a few changes, such as moving the light-rail station west, closer to the campus site at Glenbrook Drive and Walnut Street.

The city is also looking into closing Fifth Street at the light-rail line and opening Fourth and Sixth streets through to Walnut Street, making Sixth Street the main gateway from the campus and the station to the downtown square.

Mayor Bob Day, council member Terri Dunn, city staff and a delegation from the Dallas County Community College District took the ideas to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit board last week.

The joint city-community college makeup of the group was important, as DCCCD was not a player when the downtown light-rail station opened in November 2002.

"I think that showed them that we want to partner with them, that all three entities want to work together in developing downtown because it's going to be for the advantage of everybody," Mr. Day said. "It's a win-win-win."

Gary Thomas, president and executive director of DART, said light-rail stations can be important components of an economic development plan.

"We're going to work very closely, as we always have, with the city staff on how we can make this work best for everybody," he added.

Closing Fifth Street and opening Fourth and Sixth streets would provide traffic circulation downtown, Mr. Day said.

"We think Sixth will eventually be a major artery," Mr. Day said. "Fifth Street is not going anywhere on the north and doesn't lead anywhere on the south. So the thought was to explore that option."

E-mail rabshire@dallasnews.com or call 972-272-6591, ext. 244