Oak Lawn high-rises get go-ahead from Dallas leaders

City guides have given the go-ahead for a development that will dramatically change the heart of the Dallas Oak Lawn community.

Dallas City Council voted Wednesday to approve developer PegasusAblon’s plan to build two high-rises at the intersection of Cedar Springs Road and Throckmorton Street.

The ambitious construction plan would preserve the strip of nightclubs and retail stores that lines the west side of Cedar Springs.

The one- and two-story buildings were built in the 1930s and 1940s and form the heart of the LGBTQ community in Dallas.

PegasusAblon intends to erect two residential towers in the parking lots behind the existing buildings.

The residential towers would contain more than 400 residential units. The tallest of the skyscrapers would be about 20 stories, with retail on the lower floors overlooking a new public space along Throckmorton Street.

The city council unanimously approved the project, although the Oak Lawn Committee and some local residents opposed the development.

“Not just in the Oak Lawn area, but all over the city of Dallas, we’ve seen people support this project,” said Dallas Mayor Adam Medrano.

The key to getting the community approved was that the proposal retain popular pubs and nightspots.

“Mr. Ablon has agreed to preserve and protect the bars and retail outlets that are the heart of this neighborhood,” said Councilor Omar Narvaez.

Developer Mike Ablon worked with the owners of the bars – Caven Enterprises – on the development plan.

“If this zoning application is perfect – it is not,” said Councilor Chad West. “It’s very high. And it would be nice if the parking lot were buried. “

However, West said that without this plan, the Cedar Springs Strip could be lost to future development.

“The entire block on this side of Cedar Springs could be turned into a soulless building,” he said. “It would destroy the culture that means so much to many of us.”

The towers would be the biggest change in this area of ​​Oak Lawn since the construction boom of the 1980s, although more skyscrapers have sprung up in the area since then.

Opponents of the plan rounded up the usual suspects of disagreement – too much altitude, too much traffic, too much density. That didn’t affect the city council.

“I think we need more people there,” said Alderman David Blewett. “I think we need more activity there. I think that’s an important addition. “

A public square with retail space and a water feature would face Throckmorton Street.(GDA architects)

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