One day in Preston Center. ONE DAY. I mean, sure, if you can find $58 million.
Scott Fregonese is an urban planner from Portland who flies to Dallas every few weeks to participate in some of the longest meetings I’ve ever attended. On Tuesday, I was this close to calling the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Unit to report a hostage situation at the Walnut Hill Recreation Center.
Fregonese has been tasked with planning the future for 1,630 affluent acres in Preston Hollow. That includes the condos and apartments along Northwest Highway heading east toward Hillcrest. But, really, we’re talking about Preston Center, the 56-plus-year-old shopping center at Preston Road and Northwest Highway where as a kid I used to get my clothes (at the Sanger-Harris), buy my books (at Taylor’s) and eat my lunch (at the Woolworth’s counter) while Mom browsed Goodies from Goodman. Just typing all those dead names makes me feel way older than my 47 years.
Fregonese said Tuesday night there’s finally a vision: “to create a mixed-use district in Preston Hollow for the neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods.” It took many months and many meetings to get there, he said — way too long. “That should have started at the front, but we’re getting there now.”
Fregonese knew reshaping Preston Center wouldn’t be easy. He ticked off the reasons. Affluent residents. Strong opinions. Long memories. And, hardest of all: “People don’t want change.” … [visit site to read more]
Reposted via City Hall Blog
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