A study on curb management in Dallas is underway that could reduce on-street parking in favor of other uses for that space.
The study currently includes Downtown, Uptown, Deep Ellum, and Bishop Arts, but could expand in the future.
It shows the changes in downtown Dallas, where thousands of residents now live in big new apartments and fewer people simply drive to town.
“I think Dallas has really changed in the last five years, I would say,” said resident Quenita Fagan.
She ate outside a Starbucks on Commerce and Akard Streets, across from the new AT&T Discovery District, Thursday.
Drivers cannot simply stop and park there on Commerce. Roadside restrictions include valet drop-off zones and bus lanes. Along with bike lanes, these are the kind of restrictions that the curb management study could extend to many other locations.
Fagan said visitors from outside of downtown are drawn to many attractions, but she uses public transportation and would prefer to see fewer cars.
“The attractions are here, but how can you do it for everyone, so that they know that people live here. And we don’t want cars everywhere, ”said Fagan.
The Curb Lane Management Study was a topic at the Dallas City Council meeting of the Transportation Committee this week.
Councilor Cara Mendelsohn said businesses could suffer from the reduction in street parking because they and other local residents are counting on using them. Mendelsohn said public transportation would take three to four times longer, so it runs from North Dallas.
“To be honest, I stopped sometimes and there is no parking space. Can’t get in valet parking, guess what? I will go home. So we can’t do without parking, ”said Mendelsohn.
Other members of the committee supported change, including the chairman of the transport sector, Omar Narvaez.
“I want to do that. I think we need to create this infrastructure for dedicated bus lanes, motorcycle, moped and bicycle parking spaces. If we don’t add that infrastructure, Dallas residents won’t get used to it. And we will never get there . And I believe that as the ninth largest city, we are probably a good 10 to 15 years behind other large cities that have long since implemented this, ”said Narvaez.
Deep Ellum, where major new housing developments have recently been completed, is an example of where changes are already underway.
Elm Street got wider, landscaped sidewalks a few years ago, replacing some of the parking lots.
The “The Stack” office building recently opened with a large parking garage that is available to Deep Ellum visitors at night, eliminating the need for street space.
Commerce Street will soon be remodeled, which will include the first dynamic loading zones in the Dallas street space.
“They are used for ridesharing at night and for important business needs such as FedEx and grocery deliveries during the day. And that’s because we know we need to maximize and share the use of the curb. It’s an important asset, ”said Stephanie Keller-Hudiburg, Executive Director of the Deep Ellum Foundation.
Dallas is also considering returning shared scooters, which became an issue when they were banned in 2020. Scooters will be given special roadside parking to limit nuisance when they’re allowed again, Keller-Hudiburg said.
“We learn. We have to adapt to changing needs. For example ridesharing, scooters, all those things that require the use of the curb and we need to be able to adapt to those needs, ”she said.
Some drivers are not convinced. Juan Garcia got one of the few roadside parking spaces on Elm Street near the tourist area with three underpasses.
Garcia said he supports public transportation, but it’s not heavily used in Dallas and no more bus lanes are needed.
“We don’t have this culture like in Europe or anywhere else,” said Garcia. “I think they’re trying to create a culture that doesn’t exist.”
The results of this study will be made public before any changes are made.
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