Texas Transit Association

Recognition of transit oriented development in the North Texas region continues with focus on the city of Plano.

*Downtown design awards reflect ‘new urbanism’*
BY A. LEE GRAHAM , STAFF WRITER 06/13/2003
Mixed-use ingenuity has won multiple accolades for city planners, who walked away with three awards at a recent municipal competition.

But area businesses gained something more.
“They have a revitalized downtown that can only become more prosperous as it continues to grow,” said Phyllis Jarrell, the city’s director of planning.
Mayor Pat Evans agreed.
“The competition was tough, but I thought we really deserved the win,” said Evans, who accepted honors at the recent CLIDE awards presentation in Arlington.
Presented by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, CLIDE (Celebrating Leadership In Development Excellence) recognizes cities excelling in pedestrian design, environmental stewardship and transportation efficiency, among other criteria.
“It’s a way to show cities what can be done and how planners can improve things for the future,” said Meredith Scott, environmental planner with the North Central Texas group, a voluntary association of local governments established for planning and to address common needs.
At its June 6 general assembly, association leaders announced winners in a competition that drew 47 applications. Of those, nine cities won Leadership accolades, while an elite three snared Landmark recognition, reflecting excellence in the redevelopment category.
“That particular award was definitely a surprise,” said Jarrell. “We didn’t know we had won until they opened the envelope and announced it.”
Sharing honors in the New Development category were Legacy Town Center, Addison Circle and Southlake Town Square. Redevelopment recognition went to Plano’s downtown transit village and the Fort Worth Rail Market.
Choosing winners was tough, according to one of six judges who reviewed all 47 applications.
“Most of these projects are topnotch, really forward thinking,” said Jonathan Barnett, jury chairman and professor of city and regional planning at the University of Philadelphia..
“We thought the Plano projects had foresight and serve as an excellent example to other communities.”
The jury was particularly impressed by the transportation component underlying downtown Plano, whose lifeblood seems to flow from 15th Street and Avenue K.
“That part of town is impressive,” said Barnett, especially impressed by its Dallas Area Rapid Transit platform. “They didn’t wait for DART to open; they planned for it well in advance.”
DART began serving the first phase of a redeveloped downtown in December. Both phases of the transit village were financed by the city, DART and Amicus Properties, which leases land from the city.
“We don’t have a redevelopment authority like some other cities, so we had to come up with something new,” said Jarrell, explaining the public-private partnership. “It’s definitely worked.”
Mayor Evans praised downtown as revitalized and for “reaching beyond its physical constraints.”
The retooled real estate mirrors other renovated downtowns. Its array of apartments, restaurants and offices - not to mention a school gymnasium transformed into a 324-seat arts center - has revitalized the region, according to city officials.
Add DART service, and the concept is complete.
“You’re seeing shoppers, pedestrians and new residents all attracted to Plano,” said Evans.
While downtown enjoys renewed vitality, its westward counterpart continues to thrive.
“The Legacy project is a phenomenal example of how to utilize land,” said Scott, with the CLIDE program. “It’s a great complement to the city.”
Its mix of apartments, retail shops and office space embodies the “new urbanism” movement sweeping the nation. The concept encourages pedestrian-friendly settings where home life, workplaces and nightlife coexist often in the same block.
Legacy Town Center offers upscale retail, trendy lofts and sophisticated dining in the same setting. “It puts Plano with the most progressive cities,” said Barnett, whose judging acumen has also served the American Institute of Architects Urban Design Awards.
When it comes to municipal competition, Barnett finds himself increasingly in demand. And North Texas’ newest awards program is unique, according to Barnett. “These sorts of things are common among cities, but they’re not everywhere. The (CLIDE) competition is definitely the first of its kind in that area,” said Barnett.
But intercity rivalry isn’t its purpose; rather, the awards program seeks to demonstrate what can happen when bureaucracy surrenders to effective planning and private-public cooperation.
“We’re going to use award winners to show cities that are reviewing development options how to deal with growth in their area, how to be more pedestrian friendly in architectural design and environmental stewardship - how to protect sensitive areas, but still grow,” said Scott.