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What should be done to redevelop/revitalize the Main Street/Central Expressway Corridor? Are there other areas that should be updated?
Dormand Long, Lake Highlands: Almost every time we drive south on Central Expressway to LBJ Freeway, I comment to my wife about the extreme underutilization of the real estate on the west side of this prime area.
I am as consciously incompetent at real estate as I am at art, but I do know what I like and don’t like in both.
The highest and best use of the west side of the 75 Corridor is not in half-century-old, single-story-mom-and-pop stores.
I suggest that if some shuttles to extend mobility from the DART light rail stations to various sites, including Texas Instruments were implemented, this area would be a hotbed of favored living, dining, as well as office siting.
Jack Orr, Far North Dallas: Let’s face it. The “old” part of Richardson is indeed old [and] looks it and feels it. In fact, other than dining at one of the excellent Chinese restaurants nearby, there is zero reason to go there.
The best comparison I can think of is downtown Plano. It has been revitalized with purpose and is full of diverse dining and stores. So, the same could certainly be accomplished in Richardson.
But, I am not a friend to these complicated planning documents. They seem to be a product of current politics and liberal ideas more than actually coming up with workable ideas.
I would suggest that a master-planning firm be hired to come up with plans and drawings. Then, discuss, raise money and proceed.
One thing I would like to see is the uncovering of the old brick road which lies underneath Greenville Avenue. (It once went from Dallas to McKinney)
Downtown is not the only problem area in Richardson. Unfortunately, the whole city has gotten grey hair, but, it is the appropriate place to start revitalization.
Bill Mercer, Richardson: I was amused looking at the future image drawing of Main Street/Central Expressway corridor. That is a nice idea, but what a huge task. I hope the old motel on the west side of Central could be demolished (and may have been already?) The “famous” Como could be landscaped better. Unfortunately large trees probably won’t grow on either side of Central. A lot of landscaping on both sides of Central, up and beyond Main Street, north of there is simply a jumble of small businesses who deserve the right to be there.
The old downtown area really has little to encourage visits. Most people zoom in and out of the Central/Main Street area to their residences near their preferred shopping center. Would upscale restaurants, watering holes, much beautiful landscaping draw after 5 p.m. returning folks from their jobs? Richardson is so conservative even having beer/wine in the grocery stores seems a huge step forward. Maybe as the city becomes younger, “radical” ideas will work. Driving in from the north on Central is fairly attractive — from the south, not so much. Let’s give it a huge try [with] tax breaks to forward looking business folks [to] change the face of the area. Good luck.
Gay Sinz, Richardson: My husband and I attended the meeting and the things that concerned me was talk about tall buildings. Also Chinatown becoming a tourist destination. The city needs to think twice about growth. Issues such as traffic and water usage are very important to all of us.
Mike Lysell, Richardson: I read the consultants’ report on plans for Main Street/Central Expressway Corridor. The plan doesn’t have many details, but offers some broad goals for the area with supporting data. Since the city has done a good job with other development areas, I’m confident they’ll listen to the citizens in the area before they finalize any plans.
I do hope that future plans address the infrastructure needs for the city. Many of the city’s streets are in bad shape. The pot-holes on Custer between Campbell and Renner roads for example seem to out number the sections of the street that are in good repair. I know the city has funds from past bond issues set aside for street improvements, but the deterioration of the roads seem to be progressing faster than the city can keep up with.
Tom Naylor, Crowley Park in Richardson: Clearly, the city of Richardson should redevelop its Main Street/Central Expressway Corridor because today that area is fairly decrepit and unsightly. There is very little reason to visit the old Richardson downtown area because there isn’t much there and the traffic density is high.
One of the biggest improvements that could be made to the area is to provide a DART light rail station to serve the old downtown area and the Chinatown area just north of Main Street. The inclusion of DART light rail station in several of the surrounding cities, specifically in Plano, have encouraged them to improve their downtown areas to provide a more appealing area to visit with more modern shops and restaurants. Richardson should consider the same option. But, even if there is no DART light rail station in downtown, it still needs to be spruced up and modernized. This is a project that the city should encourage rather than developing some of the pristine prairie areas within the city boundaries.
LaRuth Morrow, The Reservation in Richardson: The Main Street/Central Expressway redevelopment has been on Richardson’s revitalization agenda for a long time. There is now personnel on staff to help with progress. For the city to continue to revisit this area and attempt to finalize a plan means that all the redevelopment components are not in place. One paramount partner is DART. Main Street would benefit from a DART station at Main Street for this area to be a destination spot. Presently, there is a long waiting time for the DART stations funding.
The second concern is the location of Richardson’s main police station and fire station at Main Street and Greenville Avenue. These public servants need access to feeding streets to protect us around the clock. If the current blue prints for Main Street between Central and Greenville remain and are implemented, our emergency vehicles main paths to rescue could be impacted.
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