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Industrial Blvd. changes will bring different businesses

07:22 PM CDT on Friday, May 9, 2008

By BRAD WATSON / WFAA-TV

Video
Brad Watson reports
05/08/08

DALLAS -- Choosing a new name for Industrial Boulevard in Dallas that matches the park and development planned for the Trinity River is getting all the attention. But what will really open the area to big changes is a huge zoning case the city council is set to consider May 28th.

Industrial Boulevard has been the perfect name for this street because it's been, so, well, Industrial. With the Trinity River project though, the city wants the change the zoning down here and the idea here to move downtown to the river.

That means some types of businesses and buildings will be in, some will be out.

What will be out? Industrial type buildings with manufacturing in them. They will out under the new proposed zoning.

What's in?

What Developer JPI plans, a mix of high-rise and mid-rise buildings for 2,000 residential units, offices and retail. Stretches of Industrial or the side streets that are not pedestrian friendly with sidewalks along them, they'll be out.

What's in? Pedestrian friendly streets with on street parking and wide sidewalks similar to what's in the West Village, north of downtown.

Retail spots like liquor stores, bars, tattoo parlors, massage parlors, those kinds of place are out under the new zoning unless they get a permit from the city.

And if you think the city is going to give them a permit to stay, then you probably believe that rocks can grow. Retail that's in.. trendy shops on the ground level.

But does new zoning mean that all existing retail on the old Industrial is doomed?

What about Fuel City where you can gas up your vehicle, you can come into downtown Dallas and gaze at the longhorns or come over and enjoy the nationally famous tacos at the 24/7 taco window?

Well the city staff seems to know there are limits on this case, businesses like Fuel City, can stay.