Urban Planner Will Detail Draft of Dallas' Comprehensive Plan

In an online document, the proposal says the "best return on potential" lies in focused development in the Trinity River Corridor, the Downtown, near light-rail stations and in the southern sector. Fregonese and developer director Theresa O'Donnell also will appear at a press conference Wednesday followed by a pitch to the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce as the plan's backer, Forward Dallas, kicks off a campaign to get as much exposure as possible for the proposal, which ultimately must be voter sanctioned.

Public input sessions are set for Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Dallas City Hall at 1500 Marilla Dr., and Feb. 27, also at 6:30 p.m., in the University of North Texas-Dallas campus at 8915 S. Hampton Rd. Additional hearings will be held March 2, 9 and 23 followed by a final council briefing April 5.

Fregonese, whose handiwork is evidenced in his hometown of Portland, OR, sees healthcare, logistics and tech-intensive industries as the guideposts for economic vitality in the future. The draft lays out realistic goals that can be achieved in two years while others require five to seven years of patience. If approved, the two-year goals call for defining urban, mixed-use districts and developing design and parking standards. Long-range, the plan addresses areas like ailing multifamily properties, non-traditional home ownership, neighborhood associations and economic development programs for the targeted industries.

Near-term development should focus on Stemmons/Medical District, University of North Texas campus, DART's Westmoreland Station area, Downtown, Trinity River Corridor and Southport or the "agile port" area. It will take longer, but the spotlight should then be pointed at Vickery Meadow, Lancaster Corridor, Cedars/Farmer's Market, Asian Trade District, Skillman Street and a Love Field transit connection.