Update: Timbercreek Crossing plan includes Wal Mart, Sam's and JCPenny
We've been trying to keep you posted about developments at Timbercreek Crossing — you know, that big construction site along Northwest Highway at Skillman where all the pretty trees, creeks and Timbercreek Apartment once lived. Here's a brand new brochure that depicts plans — showing a Wal Mart, Sam's Club and JC Penny — for the 44-acres, and advertises currently available space.
We reported the likelihood of the Sam's/Wal Mart combo a while back, and the Penny's too, but this makes it sort of official. Thanks to Back Talk reader Steve Fry for sending it to us.
For some odd reason that old link to the pdf is suddenly password protected, so after the jump, I've attached an image of it.
- Posted by Christina Hughes Babb on Jul 20, 2009 at 11:25 AM in Advocate Mag, Lake Highlands
- Walmart begins Timbercreek construction this week
- Walmart begins Timbercreek construction this week
- Walmart begins Timbercreek construction this week
- Walmart begins Timbercreek construction. What about the Town Center?
- Walmart begins Timbercreek construction. What about the Town Center?
- Comments (61)
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Comments
So will they close the Sam's on Park Ln?
Bummer... I had my fingers crossed for a Costco.
Yeah, disappointing layout. Two big boxes, a sea of parking and a few pad sites on the outskirts. Can anyone say Plano?
I especially love that they no password protected the brochure. Hide the lame design as long as you can I guess.
I too wish Costco would make the move to Dallas proper, but I've been told by a Costco manager it won't happen because land prices here are too expensive. Too bad. So, I guess we are going to be driving to Plano or Rockwall for the forseeable future if we want to go to Costco. I'll choose Costco anyday over Sams and Wallyworld.
This is incredibly disappointing. I want to be proud of where I live, but instead I'm left wishing I'd been able to afford Lakewood.
so will they be closing the Sam's over by Park lane? Seems odd.
I agree with m! Urgh, another step in the wrong direction. Is there any hope for LH? I am beginning to wonder.
I already knew these places were coming but this is a totally depressing confirmation. Might as well have just left the old apartments up.
I think everyone should be excited. So what you didn't want a Wal-Mart or a Sam's. I have lived in Lake Highlands for 4 years and I am excited about the progress. However, a little disappointed by the attitude of the residents. Everyone complained about the apartments now we all complain about the development and how we aren't going to support it. That is a great attitude to have. Let's not support our neighborhood and the new development and see how that helps grow Lake Highlands. While you are complaining...My question to you is do you attend the meetings and try to help draw other businesses? My guess is probably not.
Back talk Blog...thanks for the update! All you whiners...turn that negative energy into positive and let's get our neighborhood turned around! There are great people in Lake Highlands...we can do it!
SB, I love your upbeat, positive attitude. I have lived in LH all my life and I am pleased by the progress I am seeing. Maybe with support of some of these new developments/businesses other businesses will want to move in.
Where is the creek that they were supposed to reroute? Wasn't it supposed to be an integral part of the site design?
And can those images be made clickable so we can display them larger? It's difficult to see any details in them.
It cracks me up that it's still named TimberCreek, neither of which are there at the moment.
Totally agree with your sentiment SB. Very well said. LH whiners need to move to the country or choose to embrace retailers coming in. They'd rather sit on their sofas and take potshots at retailers that are investing and building new stores. Would you rather have crime infested old apartment complexes or new retail? Would you rather have old, vacant strip centers like we have now?
Move to LH new families... and get rid of the negative thinkers that do not want change or their life disrupted. Get off your butts and make a difference. Although Penney's and Sam's would not have been my first choice... welcome to LH! Embrace change and growth LH.
I think many in LH were hoping for something more upscale. I'm a young new resident and am disappointed. I'm tired of the lack of good/safe retail around here. It's just another boring big box, lower income directed complex going in. These will do nothing for the area as far as helping it's image. It's naive to think that any development is good development.
What's wrong with wanting a Costco to move in to Dallas, and specifically LH? That's not complaining. I've actually sent letters and emails to Costco management asking them to reconsider a store within Dallas city limits. That would be a positive change many of us LH residents would welcome.
Yes, I am disappointed we aren't getting a Costco instead of another Walmart (and the Walmart on Forest can be downright scary at times and is not very clean and tidy). I have no reason to think the new Walmart won't be a trashy mess in just a few short months like its sister store on Forest.
A JC Penney nearby is certainly a new welcome addition.
I do hope the new Walmart will not mean the end of the Medallion Center Target.
there is a weird sense of entitlement in this comment thread. what exactly makes any of you think you deserve more "upscale"? what exactly is "scary" about LH retail?
how is the new Walmart on Forest "untidy"?
it reminds me of a quote I saw from the longest serving mayor in Texas: "My philosophy is, if you're not willing to improve the community you're in, you can keep your mouth shut." Hilmar G. Moore, Mayor of Richmond, Texas
Unfortunately, that entitlement attitude seems to permeate every discussion related to redevelopment in Lake Highlands. It's like someone said in a previous comment--first everyone complained (probably rightfully so) about the large number of rundown apartment complexes in LH and begged for more new development. Then, someone comes in and tries to redevelop, and everyone complains because it's not exactly what they wanted or it's not "upscale" enough for their tastes.
Like it or not (and I happen to like it), LH is still a very diverse community, and as such our particular market demands a cross section of available retail. And, in case you haven't noticed, we're in the middle of a recession, so there's not a whole lot of building going on at the moment. Sure, a Wal-Mart and Sam's might be disappointing right now, but I'm looking at the site plan and there are still plenty of vacant spaces for other new stores. Why not give them a chance to finish it out before you complain about it?
While I was hoping for a Costco, I'm don't mind a new Sam's at all. The Park Lane location is in a terrible part of town and the new location should be a vast improvement. A new Walmart will also provide plenty of jobs. Personally, I think the Forest Lane Walmart is one of the nicest ones I've seen. The only complaint I have about it is that its outdoors section is much smaller than a small town Walmart.
I'm also happy to see a JC Penneys returning to the area. I thought they're decision to leave North Park was odd and it meant having to drive to Valley View if you wanted anything from them.
At least this development isn't a collection of unneccessary banks and drug stores like 95% of development these days.
I prefer the quality of merchandise at Target and Costco to Sams and Walmart. Also, while any new retail big box will provide new jobs, Walmart is notorious for keeping wages and benefits low.
I don't sense entitlement - I sense frustration. Being disappointed is an honest reaction. There's nothing wrong with hoping for something better than Wal-Mart.
I am not sure the area needed another WalMart store with two Targets within a few block radius of this area; plus the new store on Forest. I don't shop at Walmart so I do hope that it does not affect existing stores (because I do shop at those). The JC Penney store will be a nice addition as long as they keep the store clean. I don't see the trees and other natural areas that they promised the area would have but that may not be depicted on the map very well so we will have to wait and see. I don't care about high end stores but I do want the area to be clean and enjoyable. All families that live in this area should be able to enjoy their shopping experience in a safe and clean area. When people are whining about what is coming to this area, don't criticize them because all of the people that did show up to the numerous meetings and supported the developer in the buyout and rebuild of this property supported the plans that were presented when this was going to be a shopping area with a lot a more natural park like areas, smaller stores and restaurants; not with just a couple of huge big box stores (you really don't get more big box than this) and very few areas for walking around and shopping. The plan changed (probably due to the economy) and then the plans were secretive for a very long time (and trickled out as different people heard different things). So the people that worked hard for the original plan do have the right to criticize because they did not want another concrete jungle and they worked to get something else. Plans change and now we will have to live with whatever comes and whatever it becomes over the years.
Wanting the best does not make someone whiners or entitled. People should want the best for their neighborhood and there's nothing with that. There are already TWO Target stores within a mile from Wal Mart. It is an absolutely unneeded store. Development for the sake of development is not the answer this neighborhood needs. There is too much crap retail in this area. Bulldoze it and put up dense homes to increase the concentration of people living here and then we might get more retail. We don't need a CVS or big box on every corner.
These tenants were in the original plans that were approved by the City Council some time back. This is NOT news. And Penney's is on hold; they have not even gotten to design and have removed this location from their website of future stores. In this economy brochures from retail developers do not carry a lot of weight.
There are currently Sam's at NW Highway & McCree and at Park Lane & Greenville -- both do very good business. Does it make sense to close either one of them and open one at NW Highway & Skillman (and perhaps closing the one at Park Lane). What am I missing here as far as logic?
You are missing the expertise of a Wal-mart corp. They clearly know what they are doing. And have been doing extremely well as a business for many years. And dont seem to care what the experts in LH think.
Chris, re read your post... you are actually sounding a bit like a whiner. Bottom line... retailers conduct specific, detailed demographic studies, purchasing habits, look at revenue from their existing stores, etc. before they commit to a space. Unfortnately or fortunately, depending on your perspective, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, fit perfectly into our older, diverse, and deteriorating LH retail locations.
I work for an "upscale" national retailer and we wouldn't consider building in the LH area. Income levels on average are too low, housing prices needed to be higher in order to draw the business,and LH did not look like a good market for us. At the time, community and "government leaders" were arrogant and were not encouraging retailers to enter LH.
Plus, LH residents have the reputation of not supporting local retailers with few exceptions. Look around... you'll see laundry places, convenience stores, dollar stores and an ocassional good restaurant.
Retailers can come in, get a great deal (because "upscale" retaliers don't see us as an opportunity) and build their stores. You shouldn't feel entitled. Instead, look at the reality side of it... and live with it. It's a business Chris.
"LH it is what it is" has it right: Face facts, people. You don't live in Preston Hollow, you live in LH. If you want upscale, go to NorthPark mall. Neiman-Marcus isn't going to come and plunk down a store at Audelia & Kingsley because you want it there; the numbers have to pan out.
LH is a nice, middle-class neighborhood, in a big city. Guess where lots of middle-class folks shop? That's right: Wal-Mart. Personally, my family doesn't any more. Did anyone else notice how there's less selection in certain departments at the new Super Wal-Mart on Forest, than at the Neighborhood Market?
But that's the kind of store our neighborhood demographics attract. LH wants to be the "Small town in the big city" right? What's the dominant retailer in most small towns?
So, you're telling me that all LHers that drive to other areas of Dallas and the suburbs for better retail can't support some better stores? Have you seen the parking lot at LA Fitness/MiCocina/Picasso's? I disagree. There is a lot of money going to other areas that is from LH b/c there is very little here. That is not whining, entitlement or anything. We simply want better retail and restaurants. Thank God for Prescott for seeing the potential here. LH is resistant to Wal-Marts and the like b/c we want LH to be a nicer community than that. I guess we can all not care about our community and just move to the suburbs so LH can completely go downhill? Would that really be better than trying to get more attractive retail around here? Really?
Sure, LH is what it is. I think the challenge here is so many people want it to be so much more - or what we hear it used to be. There was a real opportunity for a unique shopping center at Timbercreek with the trees, creek, etc. and it's very frustrating that it has been passed over b/c "business" says the apartments nearby need another big box Wal-Mart they can walk to. I so look forward to seeing abandoned shopping carts on the side of the road. That's nice. It may be business but it is not good for the community. Of course, from a business point of you - why would you care about the area? you just care about making money. It's more than boring and sickening.
What exactly do you consider "more attractive" retail?
What exactly would you consider a "better" restaurant?
What are YOU doing for the "good of the community"?
Totally agree with "LH is what it is and More of the Same."
LH is largely an aging, nice middle class neighborhood that still has relatively affordable housing for people who want access to downtown and choose to not (or cannot) pay University Park prices.
Although there are many very rough, unsafe areas, the neighborhoods are largely insulated and safe. You get that beaver cleaver feel, just as long as you don't step outside of your immediate neighborhood at night.
Once LH gets into an improvement mode, and empty retail/strip centers begin to fill up, and horrible, aging apartment complexes are torn down, the situation will improve. However, drive around, look around and you'll see area retail centers and multi-family housing in disrepair and in need of rejuvenation.
Those that don't realize the LH area has been in a bit of a decline over the past five years or so, need to get their heads out... of the sand. Believe what you choose to believe, albeit fictional or reality, but get real everyone...and do something to improve the situation at hand. Don't feel entitled...feel empowered.
This doesn't overly bother me. In fact, I think it might be a good thing. Personally, I don't really consider this area to be in "Lake Highlands", but rather is along the fringe of the neighborhood.
What it will accomplish, however, is increasing the traffic along Skillman from people coming to these stores. Retailers base their locations upon traffic demographics, as well as neighborhood demographics. Therefore, increased traffic on Skillman will lead to better retailer demand in the Town Center (personally the development I am much more invested in).
To me, the most disturbing part of this graphic is that it has fewer committed stores that the prior version posted on this site. We used to have a Chik-fil-a and a couple other places already penciled in. It looks like the development is still scraping for non big box tenants.
Finally, I'm not upset about having a Sam's closer, as I use the one on NW Hwy/Jupiter currently. This one will probably have booze too. Wal-Mart will give a 24 hour retail location in the area, which, aside from the other Wal-Mart up north, we are lacking. JC Penny isn't my ideal location to shop, department store wise, but it will have a Sephora inside and provides a higher end (though slightly less stylish) home department when compared to everyone's sweetheart, Target.
We aren't going to stop the development now, folks. Embrace the upsides and cross your fingers for your high end retailers in the Town Center.
We're in LH... not University Park. There's a reason why CVS, Dollar General, Wal-Mart and others are seeing LH as a desirable place to be. And it is not because it's an upscale, happening, growing vibrant area. Quite the contrary. We all love LH and the commmunity and it is a fine, affordable place to live. I've been here for 21 years, and it has changed significantly over time.
You will not be getting "high end retailers" here given our area and the current economic situation. The Town Center has already published and admitted they are having a tough time getting retailers to commit. Not sure why you feel so entitled and unaware Brian.
I think y'all might be taking the word upscale too upscale. I'd say a Market Street would do well around here (that's a grocery store), a book store is not a crazy idea either. As far as restaurants, how about a Pei Wei or Tin Star or Purple Cow? Things along the lines of MiCocina, Picasso's, and Mariano's that do a very good business in/near LH. Not asking for Abascus or Neiman Marcus here, when you are starting from Wal-Mart, upscale is not sooooo UP/HP. Whoever decided to open the LA Fitness was smart, that place is busy all the time - I appreciate those business people looking past the apartment demographics and taking a chance that has clearly worked.
I think everyone is well aware that the past 10-15 years have not been kind to LH. Those who are here, though, would like it to return to a nicer area of town. How can you fault that?
Truth is... if we supported other retailers by spending money at these establishments, our area would be much more attractive to retailers and restaurants. They see other retailers being busy and making money, then more "upscale" stores and restaurants will follow. The capital system at its best.
Other than a select few restaurants like Mi Cocina, Tony's, Picassos, restaurants and retailers open and close continuously in LH. They just don't want to come here.
However, with this said, the new Wal-Mart is always busy and doing a brisk business. Although it is a bit frightening going over there at night, other retailers will see this, and will be more intriqued.
Wal-Mart nailed it. LH is an economically-diverse, middle class, mix of aging apartments and affordable homes... pefect for the Wal-Mart target customer. Just look at the foot traffic in and out of this place.
I'd say Target is just as right. Much preferred by the home owner portion of LH and alot less scary than Wal-mart.
I think some of you are missing the point. It's that much that we need more upscale development. I think we are all acutely aware for the demographics and incomes of the area. It's that we don't need more development for the sake of development. That tract of land would have been better off with any kind of new residential. Most of the crappy strip malls would be better of being bulldozed for now residential. Increase density, don't bring more crap big boxes. People LIKE living here, they don't necessarily need more big boxes to do so.
Reality- What exactly about Brian's post sounds "entitled and unaware"? I'd say that the absence of previously committed tenants IS a concern. And increasing traffic to the area may very well appeal to potential retailers for the Town Center. Not a bad thing.
I totally agree with Reality, FareWeatherHeather--Brian stating considering it the, "fringe of the neighborhood," "Scraping for non big box tenants..." a bit snobby I'd say. Read the papers Heather. Look around at the closed retail establishments in the area and everywhere. And people are hoping for upscale retailers to wave their magic wand and open in LH? Certainly not in the near future... and not ever unless LH turns it around, tears down more of the eyesores, and reinvents itself.
Wal-Mart and Sams??? Yuck...get ready for you home value to plummet. I was hoping for something a lot more upscale and unique. How about some real mom & pop stores? I chose LH for a reason. Lack of these tacky, big-box stores was one of the reasons. Crime will go up, traffic will go up, and home values will drop. This will ruin my neighborhood.
I understand the demographic/spending habits argument. What I disagree with is the "area is deteriorating" statement - to be more accurate, it might be said that much of the multifamily housing is deteriorating; when it comes to single family homes, I see (and have seen for the last 3 years I lived here) some of the older, retired folks moving out of their long-time homes and younger couples moving in. I see them doing renovations on their homes. On my street alone I've seen one house that was run down and foreclosed totally renovated, two homes getting granite countertops, extensive landscaping work, and several other projects that I couldn't identify at quick glance. Our home was pretty run down... since we moved in, we gutted and remodeled the master bathroom (very upscale), put down hardwoods (real wood) in the dining and office along with lots of badly needed maint projects (new HVAC, soffits/facia replaced with hardi-plank, new gutters) and are currently planning both a new kitchen (completely gutting) and front/back yard landscaping to be done over the next 2-3 years total.
I guess what I'm saying is that I do see homeowners pouring themselves into their neighborhood. We have some older apartments in disrepair. We are starting to see them come down. The folks that bought into the area are proud of LH. We need to continue this trend. As these places that are in poor shape are replaced (and hopefully we can increase the ownership %... face the facts, owners generally have more pride in their area than renters), average salaries will increase and retail will follow.
lh_newbie--It's great you are upgrading your home to "very upscale" status. LH is the best alternative for reasonably-priced housing... both single and multi-family.
However, here's the point. Although we love our area, outside of our insular neighborhoods, the retail and apartments in the immediate and outlying areas are indeed deteriorating. Drive around outside of the neighborhood areas at night and you'll get your reality check. Any one that doesn't see this is in denial.
At this point in time, we are a Wal-Mart, CVS, Dollar Store optimal market. Look at "Truths" blog entry... he's right on.
I understand what you are saying but I agree with another poster that there is potential that is not being tapped into. LA Fitness is so crazy busy all the time and the few good restaurants are too - the home owners in the neighborhoods can support other businesses. I guess crime is the issue as well. Are you saying there is no hope or it will take ALOT more apartments coming down? I don't understand how so many young families can be investing in the area and yet no one is interested in tapping into their business.
Definitely saying the perfect storm has to reverse itself. Replacing and/or improving multi-family housing, tearing down the bad ones, new families with kids having with a higher propensity to eat outside of the home coming to LH, the school systems growing, active crime patrols and neighborhood associations, a community that cares is proactive, etablishing a safer environment outside of our neighboods, and finally replacing the old school narrow thinkers politicians (i.e. like Blaydes and others) to embrace change and be more proactive encouraging business to come to LH.
lholdie - love the name. :) I think we're actually saying the same thing. While inside the single family home neighborhoods, things are improving as far as retail demographics go (people investing in their homes, younger couples which are more prone to eating out at restaurants are moving in and income levels of the new residents are increasing [last one is my observation, no data to back it up]).
It's the rental community that's the challenge in our area. I'm not against rental, but the density of low-quality(as far as retail demographics go), poorly maintained and managed rental is quite high. It seems that things are just now beginning to change (town center + two properties south of the Town Center). As the poorly maintained rental units get torn down and replaced with either higher quality, better maintained and managed rental and/or (hopefully) even some "for sale" properties come online, we should see an increase in the quality of retail.
I think we're in the early stages, with the LHTC hopefully being a catalyst/anchor, of a 10+ year cycle that will see our area improve. We will see gas prices climb again, which will only improve the desirability of our neighborhood, with it's close-in status. I fully believe LH is an excellent long-term bet and I will continue to invest my time and energy to promoting our neighborhood and spending my dollars in our neighborhood.
Well articulated newbie. Your comment "I will continue to invest my time and energy to promoting our neighborhood and spending my dollars..." is spot on. As new LH residents like you, get the concept and business model, and support local businesses, solid, desirable retailers will come here. Too often, LHighlanders sit back, complain, and do nothing about it. You obviously get it and do not have an unrealistic perception of our area which does need much change. Out with the old... in with the new! Welcome.
The problem seems to stem from those who own the "strip" malls.
An example: met the nice guy from Eat The World at the 4th of July parade.
He moved from the Audelia local to the Abrams/Royal spot b/c the landlord of the previous area was pitiful.
No matter what biz moves in or out, it is DEPENDENT on the upkeep and management of that area. End of story.
It is still sad/funny that the name Timber Creek lacks both. Good call previous post!
LH is quickly deterorrating since we moved here several years ago. I wish we would have moved elsewhere. It often looks like and feels like we live in an unsafe area wich sometimefeel like it is getting worse by the minute.
I don't know how anyone can say that a Walmart and Sam's at NW Hwy and Skillman will drive down LH property values. There are entire neighborhoods that aren't in Lake Highlands in between us and those stores.
Not if you head N on Skillman or Abrams. It's pretty close.
I bet that the pawn shops, cash stores, and run down apartments between Merriman Park and this new Walmart do a lot more to drive down prices than the new development.
Wal Mart, Dollar stores, CVS... all perfect matches for LH to do a brisk business here. You'll see even more of these retailers coming into the area. The exisiting stores like these do incredibly well in LH. Brace yourself.
It's pathetic that people on here who want something better than a Wal Mart get called a snob on here. Really? Has the "snob bar" been lowered that much?
Well then count me as yet another Lake Highlander snob who wants something better for Lake Highlands! We sorely need some decent restaurants here and retail experiences like the proposed LH Town Square.
Timbercreek Apts location could have been an excellent gateway to a new LH of the 21st century, instead we get another Wal Mart box and parking lot.
People who say be happy with what you are given, have no vision. You create what you want by focusing on what you want and so I am heartened to see the number of people here who feel like I do; who want something better for our community.
Vote with your dollars. I personally will not shop in any Lake Highland "dollar store" and make a point to spend dollars at places in LH like Mi Cocina that are creating a better living experience in Lake Highland.
@LH Snob: (by the way, you do know that the neighborhood is plural, right? Lake Highland_s_)
Anyway, there's something called "pick your battles." You're never going to force "upscale" national retail into our area. See the well-written Advocate blog post from 7/27/09. It's not personal, it's about money, and like it or not, our demographics don't appeal to the corporate suits sitting in some cubicle looking at numbers. Cold hard numbers and money, that's all this is about.
@L Streets Resident: Your post about the cash stores, dollar stores, and liquor stores doing more harm to property values than a new Wal Mart = +1 All we really need at Skillman & Abrams to make it fit the definition of Ghetto (according to Dave Chappelle, at least) is a gun store.
Suits are not so smart all the time. They are missing out on what might be some very busy stores. The article from today talks about Northpark but personally that is too upscale for my everyday tastes. It's a nice place to walk but really, I don't shop there much. The big problem I see with another WalMart is its extremely close proximity to run down apartments. It will be scary in no time as the Forest Lane one has been. I would never go there after dark.
According to today's article, Prescott must be looney then. Other businesses in the line of Kohl's and Applebee's that have moved into LH recently and been very successful are a step up from Wal-Mart but not at all Northpark.
And I agree, if not wanting another Wal-mart makes me a snob, I'm proud to be a LH snob as well.
Suits rarely, if ever, create anything. They just copy what's worked that someone else with vision created!
What we need to see here for starters is a decent, non-chain restaurant open up. Perhaps a local chef partnered with a budding entreprenuer with vision that understands what the suits never will, that's there's a large contingency here in LH, not being served. I was in Spirit Lake IA recently and there was a place called Fresh there that had fantastic food at decent prices. If it can be done in a remote corner of Iowa it can be done in Lake Highlands.
Start there and better things will follow and build around it.
Again vote with your dollars on local retail and restaurants that serve the direction you want the neighborhood to move towards and avoid the rest.
P.S. @Reality - you're really not going to nitpick spelling/grammatical errors in a comment section as part of your argument are you?
You can be "snobbish" and complain all you want. Fact is... lower end retail see LH's as the perfect match for them, as is evidenced by the hugely popular and busy Wal-Mart on Forest. That place is busy 24/7! We are an aging, very diverse community in transition with a wide range of income levels (lower, middle and some high) which is perfect for them.
This fact, combined with the challenging retail marketplace, will provide more lower end retailers here for at least the next five years. Want upscale snobbish places... move to UP, McKinney or Frisco, otherwise face facts and welcome your new dollar store and CVS. Coming to a vacant retail center near you.
The retailers aren't the problem. It's the aging apartment communities. I wouldn't mind if Wal-Mart built a store on the graves of every one of them.
There used to be a consistent volunteer effort to make sure the apartment owners maintained their properties up to code. Does that effort still exist?
Totally agree Miguel. We have many really bad apartments and vacancies, add fuel to the fire. However, the people of LH and LH official turn their back away from them and all falls apart. Leadership on the "government" level is missing here, and the further deterioration of these will make our area even worse. People think they have a protective bubble over their neighborhood. Drive around at night... you'll see a different reality.
The BIGGEST mistake that people in LH keep making is that they think you can take revenue producing property (multifamily, retail, office, industrial or lodging) and convert it to single family residential. This will never, never, never happen(period). Once it is revenue producing it becomes cost prohibitive to stop the cash flow and convert it to housing because who wants to give up that cash flow. You can change how the cash flows but not do away with it. Are you going to take the one time capital gain of selling lots or the alternative of ongoing rents that hopefully go up, appreciation in value and the tax benefits of property amortization of depreciation? The smart business person wants the second option. You might not like it for your neighborhood but its only business. So when you see revenue producing property in LH (see commercial RE list above) stop thinking of that as future single family residential no matter how dense, and think how can this be better income producing property. Case and point, the apartments you want torn down on Skillman are going to have to double in size to justify to cost of closing down a cash flowing property, the cost to demolish, the cost of new construction and the cost of lease up. If somebody was not making money with the property no matter how bad it would not be there. Nobody but the federal government is in business to lose money.
If you don’t like it move to the suburbs or country. Lake Highlands WAS a small town enclave in the big city but NOW the big urban city is creeping onto the small town’s perimeter and infiltrating. The question for success is how do to manage it.
I think that there are many other retail outlets that we can attract to Lake Highlands that will meet the demographic and economic trends in our neighborhood. Kohl's is a great example.
My biggest disappointment in this development is the complete lack of natural space that it has and the huge loss of trees and green areas that even the run down apartment complex had.
For so many people to say that if you don't like big box or concrete jungles, move to the suburbs, have you been to them lately, they are full of big box concrete jungles.
I don't shop at Walmart and they could build one on each block and I would not. That is my choice made based on how they keep their stores, treat their employees, etc.
Sometimes redevelopment at any cost is not always the answer. Most businesses and developers make decisions to increase their bottom line, not to improve the areas that they move into. With the economy being weak right now, you cannot expect much more.
The community doesn't really have a choice. We are what we are... and that is a perfect choice for Walmart. We're not "upscale" enough for even the likes of Target. We're an aging, beyond mature community... with some nice pockets of affordable homes, surrounded by decaying apartments. We are the pure definition of an urban marketplace.
Walmart salivates for markets like LH. If you don't think this is true... look at the packed check out lines at your Walmart neighborhood store on Forest. They don't need you to shop there buzzell.
You spelled "Penny's" wrong - it has an "e" - as in JCPennEY
There's a gun store in Highland Park Village, one of the most "upscale" shopping centers in Dallas, right across from the theater. It's called the Beretta Gallery. I'd love to have something like that in LH.
Of course there is always Target Masters, on Jupiter just north of 635. It's a fine establishment as well.
Just because a place sells guns or, GASP!, alcohol, doesn't make it a bad place. It's all in how it is run.