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Anonymous (not verified) 2007-01-17 22:14

I love it when those in favor of Emerald Isle like to use Turtle Creek as their example! You know NOTHING!

I grew up in the Oak Lawn, yes, OAK LAWN--NOT FREAKIN "UPTOWN." NO such thing as "uptown" in Dallas.

That is a made up name by developers to keep people from realizing they were living on land once owned by blacks (State-Thomas), but were FORCED off by the rise in values when HIGH RISES moved in.

Anybody notice the Freedman's Cemetery? Hello?

I can remember when 21 Turtle Creek was the ONLY tower.

I can remember when Greer Garson lived down the street, got it?

We had a wonderful walking, biking boulevard.

Then came the IBM and other office buildings, the same size as Emerald Isle. Then came the higher buildings off of Lemmon Ave.

Now, all you see is a bunch of boxes.

And when the values went up, the people sold off the houses.

Emerald Isle may not block a view White Rock from Garland Rd, but it will "spur" on other buildings, and in ten years, the LAST OPEN and GREEN area in Dallas will have visual pollution.

When I go to White Rock, I want to see SKIES, not buildings.

Hey, guess what?

We ain't New York, and it isn't Central Park.

White Rock is small. One change leads to others, and pretty soon, you will have a pond surrounded by rich folks sipping mojitos on their balconies.

And the idea that Garland Rd is a Highway? Yes, it is!

A highway that has stoplights every 1/2 mile or less in an urban environment.

And pray tell, where are the "run down" houses? Those cheap apartments that cost $800+ per month, or the Forest Hills houses?

That place is already vibrant.

It already has traffic.

It already has retail, apartments and such. It doesn't need a big butt box so those on the 10th floor can have an unobstructed view of the lake--for now.

[Ed Note: OK, I get it. You don't want the high rise! But I'm not certain I agree with the logic. Being "forced out of their homes" because of the high prices? I'd love it if someone would do that to me! I'd cry all the way to the bank, and so did people who sold their homes in State-Thomas (or held out for the higher dollars which many of the homeowners did).

Speaking of State-Thomas, I remember it as a kid, too. It was crime-ridden and run-down. Now you can't say that about the area. I also know several people who, because of the development, were able to sell their homes and move to better areas. I haven't heard one of them complain, though I've heard plenty of people complain on their behalf. I haven't quite figured out why so many "do-gooders" feel it's better for folks to live in poverty rather than to have an opportunity into a better quality of life.

As far as Emerald Isle and White Rock Lake goes, I too love the blue skies and foliage I can see when I go out there to relax. Even a 250-story building (or several 250-story buildings) on the East side wouldn't/couldn't take that away. Quite frankly, the only eyesore is the windowless telephone switch building--that's been there for years, and I've heard no one complain about it--but I'd love to see it go.

You are correct that "one thing leads to another." East Dallas is at the point where it could trend down the road toward commercial development, or it could continue residential development. Speaking as someone who moved here to be close to White Rock Lake, I have no problem with increasing property values in the area--nor do I have a problem with rich people living in condos "sipping mojitos." I don't have a problem with the multi-million dollar mega-mansions on the West side, nor the apartments on the East (plainly visible from the lake).

As far as Turtle Creek goes, I too remember the beautiful walking/biking boulevard. It's too bad that all the boxy houses (like those featured in national magazines this month) destroyed the area. Because of them there's just no beautiful walking/biking trail going between Highland Park and downtown :)

Things change, my friend. You can spend your life fighting change or you can spend your life shaping change. You're an asset to Dallas, and your work will live on long after you and I are gone.]

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