CDA adopts an annual work program to direct its efforts toward specific objectives. We then seek “Champions” who will accept responsibility to achieve one or more of these tasks. The work program is published as part of our annual report, our committee structure is built to achieve these tasks and a mid-year report is also distributed to the membership. It is our approach to accountability to our membership.

In 2004, CDA will focus on:

1. Planning and Implementation – Planning, Transportation, Housing.
2. Economic Development – Economic Development, Marketing, Membership Services, Main Street Retail.
3. Downtown Improvement District – Safety, Maintenance & Capital Improvements, Communications & Events

PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

These goals, strategies and projects acknowledge the need to humanize our common spaces, linking communities both physically and economically.

Planning

• Promote completion of Downtown projects approved in the 2003 Bond Program including:
  • Extension of five north/south streetscape enhancements from the DART Transit Mall to Ross Avenue.
    
  • Ross Avenue pedestrian and streetscape enhancements.
    
  • Construction of a new parking structure on Main Street.
    
  • Renovation of the historic Municipal Building.
    
  • The Dallas Center for the Performing Arts.
    
  • Acquisition of a major public open space.
    
• Implement the Downtown Parks Master Plan. Identify funding sources for acquisition and design of priority projects.
  
• Advance the planning of the Trinity River ”shoreline” for areas adjacent to the levees, abutting Downtown with a major access park at Reunion Boulevard.
  
• Extend bikeways such as Fair Park Trail, Katy Trail, and Oak Cliff Bikeway to hub Downtown.
  
• Lend support to Dallas County for the renovation of Courthouse Square, Dealey Plaza and the re-use of Old Red Courthouse.
  
• Obtain approval from the Texas Department of Transportation to use right-of-way parcels for the “Emerald Necklace” park system.
  
• Successfully implement the imposition of judicial repercussions for repeat offenders of public nuisance ordinances.
  

Transportation

• Be involved in decisions regarding the second DART alignment through Downtown.
  
• Support extension of the McKinney Avenue trolley to the DART St. Paul light rail station.
  
• Actively participate in the Comprehensive Transportation Plan for Downtown.
  
• Employ traffic-calming techniques to the core area.
  
• Develop a Downtown circulator system using European-style streetcars.
  
• Finalize the schedule for the completion of the boulevard system Downtown and extend the system to adjacent neighborhoods.
  
• Link Downtown to Fair Park via improvements to the Young-Canton Boulevard.
  
• Re-build the old North Central Freeway portion from Woodall Rodgers to Commerce Street with an at-grade solution.
  
• Extend Woodall Rodgers to the Trinity Parkway and Oak Cliff by constructing the Calatrava signature bridge.
  
• Install a way-finding signage program linking highways, surface streets and pedestrian systems.
  
• Restructure bus routes in the core area.
  
• Interconnect trails and open space Downtown.
  
• Establish a “free-fare” zone for Downtown light rail and trolleys.
  

Housing

• Engage Downtown residents in CDA activities through the Residents Council.
  
• Continue to promote housing conversion of historic properties.
  
• Improve pedestrian lighting in areas of residential conversions and high pedestrian traffic.
  
• Promote home-ownership Downtown.
  
• Use TIF funds to aid environmental abatement.
  
• Promote a Downtown grocery store.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Advocacy, communications and partnerships form the nucleus of CDA's ongoing and new efforts to revitalize Downtown.

Economic Development

• Aid in the restructuring of Downtown entities into the Downtown Dallas Management Corporation.
  
• Study the feasibility of parks over Woodall Rodgers and R.L. Thornton Freeways.
  
• Support the development of a 1,000-room convention center hotel in proximity to the convention center.
  
• Assure that GSA selects a beneficial downtown site for a new Federal Courthouse and Federal Plaza.
  
• Market the CDA Data Bank and develop other pertinent information on Downtown.
  
• Coordinate business recruitment and retention efforts with the economic development departments of the Greater Dallas Chamber, City of Dallas, TXU and other economic development organizations.
  
• Lobby for the elimination of sales taxes for restoration and rehabilitation projects.
  

Marketing

• Distribute marketing packets to brokers, leasing agents, Greater Dallas Chamber, Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of Dallas Economic Development Division, DART and other prospects.
  
• Create an effective Downtown marketing alliance.
  
• Expand the readership of our weekly fax/e-mail newsletter, Downtown This Week.
  

Membership Services

• Become a resource center by distributing data, maps, reports and other information about Downtown.
  
• Offer an annual meeting and study tour.
  
• Provide membership forums on critical issues to stay informed.
  
• Develop a membership recruitment and retention strategy.
  
• Track local, state and national legislation that impacts Downtown and keep membership informed of these activities.
  
• Organize quarterly membership mixers.
  

Main Street Retail

• Focus retail recruitment on the Main Street target zone.
  
• Build 800 public parking spaces for shoppers and visitors in the Main Street district using TIF funds.
  
• Access TIF funds for area-wide improvements.
  
• Garner National Register historic district designation to access the 20% investment tax credit for property owners.
  

DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Safety

• Implement recommendations in the Ambassadors Peer Review. Strengthen the public safety and hospitality identity of the Ambassadors among Downtown citizens
• Implement the pilot video monitoring program in the Main Street area. Evaluate its effectiveness and recommend a phase two installation.
  
• Advocate for implementation of the Class C Misdemeanor enhancement program that enhances multiple offenses of Class C public intoxication and disorderly conduct crimes to Class B Misdemeanors with increased fines and jail sentences.
  

Maintenance

• Maintain a clean environment through an effective the Clean Team program.
• Complete improvements to Ferris Plaza.
• Provide funding to Office of Cultural Affairs for maintenance of the Pegasus.
  

Communications & Events

• Finalize design and print new pedestrian map.
• Produce Out to Lunch concert series.
• Provide ongoing communications programs: web page, orientation packages, data packages, regular communication pieces, quarterly & annual reports.
• Support Downtown events through sponsorships.
  

Capital Improvements

• Install phase one of Downtown Signage & Wayfinding program.
• Complete construction documents for sidewalk, landscape and lighting improvements along Ross Avenue.
• Administer the Matching Grants program to include assistance for surface lot fencing & landscaping programs
  

Central Dallas Association
1412 Main, Suite 2500
Dallas, TX 75202
cda@downtowndallas.org