Dallas, Texas is one of the country's most rapidly changing cities. Long-time residents and diverse newcomers are developing new neighborhoods, starting new businesses and bringing fresh ideas to build on the city's energy and rich history.
The City of Dallas selected Fregonese Associates to assist in the creation and implementation of a new Comprehensive Plan, ForwardDallas!, in order to use the community's vision and priorities to develop guidelines for a future which includes transit-oriented development built around bus corridors, light rail and a streetcar.
ForwardDallas!, the first comprehensive plan in the city's history, is a result of public input about the kind of city in which its citzens want to live or do business. ForwardDallas! identifies Dallas' most critical land-use issues: the need for more area plans and fewer planned development districts; the desire for an updated parking ordinance; and demand for a simpler, more transparent development process.
To implement ForwardDallas!, detailed specific area plans were outlined to be pursued in the coming year. Eight small area plans were developed in various parts of the city for ForwardDallas! These plans were used to develop specific policies and actions for ForwardDallas!
Transit Oriented Development is a key component of the ForwardDallas! plan as it pairs real estate development with a multi-modal transportation system that can support the addition of jobs and housing. The plan provides for new zoning and development standards for areas adjacent to rail lines. The plan emphasizes opportunities to better retrofit financially viable transit systems in already developed areas and to stimulate transit supportive redevelopment.
Like every plan on which Fregonese Associates works, ForwardDallas! offers a framework for the future rather than a blueprint.
