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Sundance Square public plaza


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#51 UncaMikey

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Posted 16 May 2009 - 03:53 PM

We live downtown, and walk to and through downtown a lot, but there's no place to sit and enjoy the day -- eat an ice cream, people watch, and just be there.

We were walking around Burk Burnett Park the other day, late afternoon/early evening, admiring the fountains and magnolia trees, when we realized there were no benches! I'm still puzzled about that.

As much time as we spend in downtown, I'm always struck by how few people are just walking about, how deserted it feels.

I think a plaza should be the highest priority for downtown FW.

Second highest priority should be a grocery store, LOL.

#52 Keller Pirate

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Posted 16 May 2009 - 05:40 PM

I agree with UncaMikey that the plaza will be a nice addition to DTFW. I had mentioned before I like a green type of plaza with trees and grass, the AG countered with his preference for a european style plaza. No matter what the Sundance Square people decide to do, it will be nicer than today. This will be one of the best things to happen DT in a while and it won't cost the taxpayers anything. This is going to rank with tearing down I-30 along Lancaster.

#53 David Love

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Posted 16 May 2009 - 08:01 PM

I don't think it would be a stretch to assume they've factored a parking solution into the overall design.

I am curious how this “new venue” will change entertainment options urbanites have enjoyed to date.

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#54 Fort Worthology

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Posted 17 May 2009 - 11:07 AM

This comes with more density, as well, since the plan (unless they change it) calls for the construction of two small mixed-use buildings along with the plaza.

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#55 tjh1

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Posted 17 May 2009 - 01:46 PM

QUOTE (Atomic Glee @ May 17 2009, 12:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This comes with more density, as well, since the plan (unless they change it) calls for the construction of two small mixed-use buildings along with the plaza.


I imagine this will be a huge boost to the urban aesthetic of downtown. I am also glad to hear that two small mixed-use buildings are possibly going to be included in the plaza. AG, you posted a very interesting & innovative post a while back on Fort Worthology about what you envisioned as a great use of the former Landmark Tower site; I loved it!! I hope that something like that is what the Sundance public plaza will be. A place to congregate will be a great addition to the already great things that the Bass family has done for downtown. I'm super psyched!

#56 Brian Luenser

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Posted 18 August 2009 - 07:05 AM

Noticed they are tearing up the parking lot slated for the Public Plaza. I have no knowledge of what is going on here. (or anywhere as far as that goes) but I still have my hopes up that something grand is about to happen here! And if this is the beginning, can you doubt that this is not the last picture I will post of this construction. newlaugh.gif



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#57 Sam Stone

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Posted 18 August 2009 - 07:23 AM

Can anyone think of a Sundance project that didn't involve public money and many announcements well in advance of dirt flying? Me either. They don't usually do things XTO style. If I had to put money on it, I'd say that they were only reconfiguring the parking lot to match the rest of their surface lots. And when they get around to doing the public plaza, it won't be a mystery, because the TIF will be kicking in most of the money to do it. Not to mention that it looks like they're just getting at the electrical whereas the public plaza would require that whole lot being torn up.

But I would love to be proven wrong.



#58 Fort Worthology

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Posted 18 August 2009 - 07:41 AM

Unfortunately, there is nothing exciting happening with this work. They are reconfiguring the existing parking lot to match the appearance of the other Sundance Square lots. I agree with Sam - when the plaza work begins, we'll hear about it. I wouldn't look for it any time soon, though - this is Fort Worth, after all. Who knows how many years more it will be.

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#59 JKC

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Posted 18 August 2009 - 09:41 AM

QUOTE (Sam Stone @ Aug 18 2009, 08:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Can anyone think of a Sundance project that didn't involve public money and many announcements well in advance of dirt flying? Me either. They don't usually do things XTO style. If I had to put money on it, I'd say that they were only reconfiguring the parking lot to match the rest of their surface lots. And when they get around to doing the public plaza, it won't be a mystery, because the TIF will be kicking in most of the money to do it. Not to mention that it looks like they're just getting at the electrical whereas the public plaza would require that whole lot being torn up.

But I would love to be proven wrong.


City Center Towers
The Carnegie
Blocks 41 & 42 (the original Sundance Square)
Burk Burnet Building
Woolworth Building
Land Title Building
Jett Building
Caravan Of Dreams Building
4,233 of rougly 5,000 free public parking spaces

just off the top of my head (at least on the public money part of the question).


#60 Brian Luenser

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Posted 11 September 2009 - 08:25 AM

Here is a shot from this morning (Yes, it it raining) of the new parking lot re-do next to the Flying Saucer in Sundance Square. It looks nice, but not too nice. By that I mean, this was just a quick pave and stripe job which makes it less painful to come back in a year and start the public plaza. The Basses would have done a much nicer parking lot if they thought it was going to be around for 10 years. Looks good.


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#61 360texas

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Posted 11 September 2009 - 08:30 AM

Looks like the graded the parking lot correctly. Good drainage. I don't see any ponding water (asphalt bird baths). UNless, the upper right corner has a bird bath (darkish water?). Or OH MY GOSH a spot on the lens ?

Thanks for the quality control photo.

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#62 Urbndwlr

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Posted 30 October 2009 - 04:19 PM

I was hoping they would install a row of shrubs along the north and east ends of the parking lot to screen the lot from 3rd and Commerce Streets.

Our surface parking lots downtown have far too little greenery. It would cost relatively little to plant narrow rows of native, drought-tolerante shrubs and a few rows of trees around some of the surface parking lots downtown. They could install temporary above ground irrigation or just hand water the plants for the first two years until they are established, after which they would not require water unless we had a drought.

Imagine how much better and greener downtown would look if it added screening shrubs and perimeter trees around all of the barren parking lots.

How do we do this?

#63 JKC

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Posted 02 November 2009 - 11:27 AM

QUOTE (Urbndwlr @ Oct 30 2009, 05:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It would cost relatively little to plant narrow rows of native, drought-tolerante shrubs and a few rows of trees around some of the surface parking lots downtown.



Would that were true....

Unfortunately, the entire length of both of those sides would require saw cutting and excavation. The basement walls and hard rubble are all still there. on the Commerce side the slabs and basement walls are perfectly "in the way". On the 3rd street side there are utility vaults making it even tougher.




#64 AndyN

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Posted 02 November 2009 - 12:02 PM

Planters? Maybe not big enough for trees, but a little shrubbery could go a long way.
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#65 JKC

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Posted 02 November 2009 - 02:39 PM

It made little difference either way......

#66 RD Milhollin

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Posted 01 August 2011 - 09:17 AM

I saw a presentation by the Sundance folks a couple of years ago and the vision that they shared was a green plaza, bookended by two retail anchors. The Flying Saucer would stay, the Ranch would stay, but the parking lot that they don't own would be a retail anchor. I think they should do the plaza and just wait til the sale happens. It did include closing Main Street permanently, however.


Looks like the Sundance folks have a contractor for the first phase of the plaza project, look for the third heading down:

http://www.star-tele...-complexes.html




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