Transportation News

DART installs new bus shelter prototypes at 5 stations across Dallas

Adorable little 2-seater is one of DART's three new bus shelter prototypes.

DART

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the Dallas-based transportation agency, is unveiling a new generation of bus shelters, part of a pilot program to modernize its current bus shelter situation.

According to a release, the agency has installed three new shelter prototypes at five bus stop locations across four cities — that is a lot of numbers — and now welcomes input over the next four months.

DART partnered with Tolar Manufacturing, a bus shelter manufacturer, to create a shelter based on feedback gathered from DART bus riders in 2023, asking what features were most important.

From the feedback they received, the top priorities were: more protection from the elements, improved lighting for safety and visibility, and real-time bus arrival information.

DART then worked with architecture and urban planning students at the University of Texas at Arlington to help on the new designs.

The UTA students' concept shelter earned the Texas Student Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2023. Tolar delivered modified versions that are now being used in the pilot program.

The three prototypes include: standard-width; slim-width shelters with benches; and a mini shelter with seating for two.

DART Next Generation pilot bus shelter locations include:

Mini Shelter at Ross Avenue and Hall Street in Dallas
Standard Shelter at Malcolm X Boulevard and Clarence Street in Dallas
Standard Shelter at Hedgcoxe and Preston roads in Plano
Slim Shelter at Synergy Park Boulevard and Rutford Road in Richardson
Slim Shelter at Northwest Highway and Marketplace Drive in Garland

“We’re looking to see how these shelters and all their new features are received by our riders,” said Brandi Stringer, director of mobility capital projects. “Our number one goal is to provide an amenity at our bus stops that riders love and adds to their experience when riding DART.”

The pilot will run through November allowing DART to gather feedback from riders, and see how the shelters respond to weather and everyday use. A final design is expected by the end of 2024 for Next Generation Bus Shelters, which will be used throughout the DART network.

DART will release a survey asking riders at these bus stops for feedback. They'll also add up to 100 new bus stop pads by the end of fall.

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Hotel News

Hotel Indigo chain debuts new property on Las Colinas' Mandalay Canal

Courtesy

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas

A new hotel has opened in Irving: The anticipated Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas, now open at 455 E John W Carpenter Fwy, along the scenic Mandalay Canal.

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas is owned and managed by Shreem Capital, a Dallas-based real estate investment firm that specializes in the acquisition, development, and management of opportunistic and trendsetting hotel properties.

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas is part of InterContinental Hotels Group and represents the third Indigo hotel in DFW, following one downtown Dallas and another that opened in Frisco in WHEN.

Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Clinas has the following elements:

151 rooms
5,300-plus square feet of event space
a fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art exercise machines
two on-site restaurants
an infinity pool

Design
Crafted by Studio 11 Design, Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas stands as a tribute to the legacy of the Carpenter family, whose influence resonates throughout the hotel’s interior spaces.

The rooms feature dynamic lighting, soft curves, textures that celebrate the original landscape.

The design also pays homage to European artistry, with: tile patterns reminiscent of classic styles and a layout that draws parallels to the meandering waterways of Italy.

Accommodations
The 151 guest rooms feature plush bedding, hardwood-style flooring, spa-inspired showers, workstations, coffee makers, mini-fridges, laptop safes, and a 55-inch flat-screen smart TV with cable for streaming entertainment. Bathrooms feature glass-enclosed spa-like showers and Zenology bath products.

The Presidential Hospitality Suites and Executive Suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Mandalay Canal and wrap-around balconies. The Presidential Suites can expand into a three-bedroom accommodation with connecting rooms, and the Executive Suites can become a two-bedroom retreat.

Food & Beverage
There are four food & beverage destinations at the hotel:

Kleo is the main restaurant, helmed by Executive Chef Nicolas Linardi of modern Mediterranean menu food that includes sabream with matbucha and saffron rice; Grecian Chicken, with oregano, sumac, lemon, and tabbouleh; lamb meatballs with feta, mint, yogurt, and pine nuts; and Caesar salad with baby Romaine wedge, tahini Caesar dressing, tabbouleh, and crispy bulgur.
Kleo Patio has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that frame the Infinite Pool Garden. This design allows diners to easily transition between indoor and outdoor experiences, enhancing the feel of dining immersed in nature.
Kleo Bar has a wrap-around layout and intimate lighting, serving cocktails like the signature Tzatziki Martini, a blend of dill-infused gin, blanc vermouth, cucumber, black lemon bitters; Turkish Fire Drill with vodka, Kahlua, and Turkish coffee; Forbidden Fruit with spiced apple bourbon, pomegranate juice, lemon, and star anise.
La Serie Lobby Café is a casual coffee and dessert shop with cappuccino, croissants, and Danish.

Fitness & Wellness
A 1,100-square-foot fitness center has elliptical machines, free weights, stair stepper machines, stationary bicycles, and treadmills, with large windows that fill the space with natural light.

Meetings & Events
Hotel Indigo Irving - Las Colinas has indoor and outdoor event space that can accommodate gatherings of up to 300. There's a 3,100-square-foot upscale ballroom; and a smaller boardroom.

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