City News Roundup

Preservation notches wins and more heroic tales in Dallas news

The Victorian-era "Browder House" gets saved.

The conversation in Dallas this week centered on debates about what we should do with the things we have: Fair Park, a Victorian home, and the Meadows building. These were the top stories in Dallas news:

Future of Fair Park
On January 26, there was more talk about what to do with Fair Park at a panel discussion hosted by the Dallas Architecture Forum. The level of interest is high; the event drew a full house.

Comments from attendees, including those who live in the surrounding neighborhood, wondered why it is gated off to the public. Opening it to the public is a painful reminder of the deteriorating condition of the buildings; renovation will require big money. Its sole user, the State Fair of Texas, isn't much help, but people have ideas such as a blues festival or children's programs.

Mayor Mike Rawlings is promoting the idea of privatizing it, which will be on the agenda at a discussion on February 8, from 5-7 pm, in the Hall of State at Fair Park, Margaret and Al Hill Lecture Hall.

Old house saved
Time Warner Cable comes to the rescue on the Victorian home off 30 near the Ramada Plaza Hotel it was planning to demolish. Take that, U-Verse! Time Warner will pay to move the house to another location, described by Landmark Commission director Katherine Seale as the "perfect fit." She won't yet reveal which benevolent developer is providing the land — so coy — but his or her identity will be revealed at the Landmark Commission meeting on February 1 at 1 pm. Such mystery, such intrigue, who could it be.

Meadows building
That Landmark Commission meeting is going to be a hot event, because also in attendance will be GlenStar Properties, the new owners of the Meadows Building, off 75 near Lovers Lane. GlenStar will explain why it is a good idea and not a bad one to demolish the two-story annexed portion of the building, in order to make room for a driveway.

According to an email from a GlenStar representative, the integrity of the Meadows Building complex has been considerably diminished over the last 25 years, most evident in the annex building. The company says the demolition of the building is part of a program of "thoughtful restoration and preservation."

$25 BlackBerry
A January 22 audit found that the city does not follow appropriate procedures when it comes to outgoing council members and the stuff they take with them when they go. In the most recent graduating class, some left owing money, others left with electronics and furniture they got at a cut-rate deal.

At the time of the audit, Tennell Atkins and Vonciel Jones Hill left office with water bills pending, and Sheffie Kadane still owed $837.14 in property taxes. (Everything's paid up now.) Vonciel got off with a BlackBerry for $25, and Jerry Allen scored an iPad 3, for which the audit could find no record of payment at all.

city-news-roundup

Animal News

Dallas animal shelter invites residents to host a pet during holiday

DAS

Husky at Dallas Animal Services

Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is inviting the community to help bring pets “Home for the Holidays” by adopting or fostering during one of the shelter’s busiest times of the year.

DAS has achieved strong positive outcomes this quarter, including adoptions, foster-to-adopt placements, and underage foster placements, with 1,377 in October and 1,378 in November. The department is now working toward a December goal of 1,400 positive outcomes, with 588 completed so far this month.

“We are grateful for the support our community continues to show,” said Victoria Chittam Bennett, Assistant Director. “Every adoption opens a kennel for another pet in need, and the holidays are an especially meaningful time to welcome a new companion.”

This season, adopters will also have the chance to participate in the Friends of Dallas Animal Services (FODAS) 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways, fully funded and supported through donations from generous community supporters. For more information about this initiative, visit friendsofdas.org and watch out for announcements on social media.

Holiday staycations
Residents who may not be ready to adopt can still support DAS pets by participating in Silent Night Holiday Staycations, a short-term foster opportunity that gives dogs a relaxing break from the shelter during the holiday period.

Pickup dates are scheduled for December 20-21, with drop-off options on December 27-28 or January 3-4. Participants typically spend 1-3 hours at the shelter selecting a foster match, and contact with pets outside the home should be limited. Questions may be directed to DASFtA@dallas.gov.

“Holiday Staycations allow our dogs to decompress and show their personalities in a home environment,” said Amanda Earl, Assistant Director. “The insight we receive from these foster stays is invaluable in helping pets find permanent homes.”

DAS encourages the community to adopt, foster, volunteer, or share adoptable pets to help meet December’s lifesaving goals.
“Together, we can bring home the holidays for the pets relying on us,” said Director Paul Ramon.

For more information on adoptable pets, holiday programs, or ways to get involved, visit https://bedallas90.org/ or stop by the DAS Shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd.

animals