by
Gary Juren, Architect
During one of my recent architectural road trips, I was
pleased to hear the local radio announce that the long awaited opening of the
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is scheduled for March 2, 2012. Texas Independence
Day, how fitting. Well, I decided to veer
off course and see for myself the final touches being added to what civic
leaders have billed for over a decade as “the new civic gateway.”
The Margaret
Hunt Hill Bridge is one of three Santiago Calatrava designed bridges being
built over the Trinity River in Dallas, Texas as part of the Trinity River Project.
The $93 million cable-stayed bridge is 400 feet high and 1,870 feet in
length. Upon completion it will connect
from Singleton Boulevard in West Dallas to Woodall Rodgers Freeway in
downtown. The second Calatrava IH 30
Signature Bridge has been funded and is currently under design. It will rise 300 feet above the Trinity River
and span 1,100 feet. Just as the IH 30
Signature Bridge acts as a gateway for East/West regional traffic the third
proposed IH 35-E Bridge becomes the gateway for North/South traffic. The design has not yet begun. It has recently been reported that Calatrava
may not be designing the third bridge.
These bridges designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava
will continue to make North Texas a great destination location for world class
architecture. This is another jewel in the crown for Dallas. Nearby and
connected by the Woodall Rodgers Freeway is the 68 acre Dallas Arts District
and under construction is the Perot Museum designed by another Pritzker Prize
Award winning architect, Morphosis.
As I approach
the bridge I am struck by how this neighborhood, an area in decline for
decades, will be transformed. Singelton
Boulevard is lined with used tire shops, scrap yards and vacant buildings. It seemed odd to be building a “designer”
bridge to an area people did not want to drive through.
With the
opening of the bridge, private development will quickly transform these declining
properties. With its stunning views of
the downtown skyline it is ripe for urban renewal. Urban building styles, similar to what is
being developed in the Uptown area of Dallas, is likely to be coming soon. There also exists a treed residential community
known as La Bajada. Made up of modest
one and two storey homes, this neighborhood must have its character
protected. The gentrification of the
former “Little Mexico” neighborhood north of downtown was a mistake and should
not be allowed to happen to this viable community. It will be a challenge for City Planners to
balance the desires of the real estate investor and the needs of the
residential community.
The Margaret
Hunt Hill Bridge is a beautifully proportioned bridge designed by a world renowned
architect. When viewed up close the
bridge’s powerful white arch and graceful network of tensioned cables are awe
inspiring. As a local neighborhood
architectural icon it should be on everyone’s “Do Not Miss” list. To describe the bridge as “the new civic
gateway” – probably not. Traveling at 60
mph down Stemmons Freeway the new bridge seems to get lost. It’s just not on the same scale of a Golden
Gate Bridge, a Brooklyn Bridge, or even the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
These are
the elements that define the image of any great city.
To me, the postcard images of the Dallas Skyline will
still be defined by ReunionTower, Fountain Place, and Peagus – The Flying Red
Horse.
What do you
think?
i currently live inn dallas & i feel offended by your satement abovee "It seemed odd to be building a “designer” bridge to an area people did not want to drive through." what exactly are saying . or you trying to say that our commuunity isnt good enough to have the bridge located by use or is it that you feel our nieghborhood is too ghetto , tell me exactly or you saying sir.
ReplyDeletei currently live in Dallas,TX and when you said''It seemed odd to be building a “designer” bridge to an area people did not want to drive through.'' whats wrong with Dallas,Tx?
ReplyDeletethat's my question.I love my community and if you up town people dont want to drive across the bridge then thats your promblem.Fill free to respond........
From Mr. Juren:
ReplyDeleteI sincerely apologize to any readers of this Blog that I have offended by my remarks. My intent is to have the "La Bajada" neighborhood be protected.
I recognize its value and significance to maintaining a viable and livable family environment. I have attempted to bring a deserved awareness to this community and provide a warning that its destruction would be a mistake. A mistake that we witnessed with the gentrification of "Little Mexico" just north of Downtown. It is inevitable that market pressures will transform this area. It is how you direct this transformation that is crucial to preserving all the positives that surround it.
Again, please accept my apology for any unsavory remarks I have made in an attempt to bring an awareness to a neighborhood that will now be easily accessible to all of DFW.