Big Project in Oak Cliff's Bishop Arts District

[Angelica Cortes]

Developers are close to a groundbreaking for big project in Oak Cli...

 As we all (Dallas residents) know, the Bishop Arts is a cool hot spot for live music, tasty food, and has historic value. Oak Cliff is continuing to offer more attractions for diverse crowd.

According to the article, Michael Nazerian a developer and his family have been buying properties and demolishing old homes around the area for many years. The reason for the purchase is for the 40 million development plan of complex shops, apartments and a hotel.  Architect Gensler, is working with the Nazerian family to master plan the buildings that will offer housing, restaurants and garage parking an all in one package to enjoy.

 The Bishop Arts area reminds me of Wirth’s five inner cities residents’ categories, which one of the categories was the Cosmopolites. The Cosmopolites residents were students, artists, professionals and musicians; these groups are easily found in the district today.

The new developments will offer more attraction for diverse groups to become entertained. It will make Oak Cliff become the official place for many young adults to call home and business will make great revenue. 

 

[Chase Lalouette]

The attractions listed relating to Oak Cliff do not in fact draw a diverse crowd, they draw educated people that have pocket cash to spend. It is a false sense of diversity, attracting people who like live music, people who like niche food, people who like historic districts, when actually the city is drawing in only one group of people that likes all three categories.

The reason for Mr. Nazerian’s actions confirm my suspicions of non-diversification. The city, I am assuming, is the one with the $40 million dollar plan. A plan that removes the people already located in detached, single family or forces them into apartments. However, their displacement is more likely because the new apartments will be far too expensive for original residents.

The fact that you acknowledge that cosmopolites populate the district today also confirms the displacement of original Oak Cliff residents. They were ethnic villagers and the deprived.

I still disagree that the renovations will attract a diverse crowd, rather they will attract a group of people simply dissimilar to the original residents. I do agree that the city and businesses will increase revenue, because the products and taxes will be higher priced.

[Angelica Cortes]

The Bishop Arts area is in the heart of Oak Cliff , a neighborhood of Dallas that has been growing for so many years. Different social classes live in Oak Cliff ,one can find a rich wealthy couple jogging in Kiest Park (in Oak  Cliff) a low class group of Hispanic kids playing soccer in the same park . There is no boundaries in considering parts of Oak Cliff only for educated wealthy folks. 

The Bishop Art District has been upcoming in independent food restaurants,boutiques,and much more for ones entertainment. A variety of different categories this district offers ,people who are wanting to enjoy with groups of friends,family or loved ones can go and hang out. Not to mention the location of Bishop Arts is near Downtown Dallas, one can see the Downtown skyline from a restaurant patio . Renovations has been happening and will continue because people enjoy the neat things around this unique place.I agree many Oak Cliff residents have been and will continue be displaced , the new apartments the Nazerian family will set in place will be pricey but any single young adult will not mine paying the high amount of rent . He will probably save in other areas such transportation they would not be using their own car ,since everything is near by. 

I know for sure personally I do not have pocket cash to spend ,but I will not mind hanging out a weekend at the Bishop art District, because I know where my money is going and in return I am getting a delicious home-made chocolate fudge pie or the best pepperoni pizza while listening to some jazz as I stroll around the street looking at some vintage cool boutiques.

[Annette Skelton]

I understand that change is a part of life, but we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that change is not always a good thing for everyone involved. I personally know one of the owners of a business in the Bishop Arts district that has been essentially forced out by the new vision for the area.  Change doesn't come without a cost. Some of these businesses that give this area it's charm are not able to afford the high cost of this progress. What gives the Bishop Arts area it's charm is the uniqueness of the businesses that are there. If the small business entrepreneur can't afford to stay there will the area still have the same vibe about it then? Perhaps a more Christian way of accomplishing this would be small incremental increases in rent to allow the business owner the time to determine if the changes will benefit them and sustain their business? This would give the owners the responsibility of making the decision about leaving the area instead of feeling as though they are being pushed out.