Posted by
Dwayne Horner on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:48:15 PM
Not many people have noticed this story, but I think it is important to be out there considering how heated the debate currently is on the building of a Trinity River tollroad. First, let me say I am 100% against additional toll roads. I drive on them to and from work right now, and I am moving because $80-$100 a month tolls is ridiculous!
But this story by David Schecter of WFAA Channel 8 shares with us that a freeway has been part of the plan since 1969.
"Records show a major freeway along the Trinity River has been part of
the Dallas plan for 40 years. The Open Space Development Plan of 1969
clearly calls for a "River Freeway" that runs alongside a major Trinity Park."
"The land the road would be build on was donated to the City of Dallas in
1972 by the Stemmons family. That is the same family who donated the
land to build Stemmons Freeway. The deed stipulates that the land be
used in a way "consistent to the concept" of the Open Space Development
Plan, and that plan clearly calls for the road."
Nesbitt believes the Stemmons family knew exactly what it wanted.
"Now, why would a benefactor donate choice property to the City of Dallas?
Because they liked what they saw in the Open Space Development Plan of
1969." Toll road opponents declined an on-camera interview for this story,
but some say the Stemmons family intended to let the people of Dallas
decide how best to use the land in the Trinity. The truth is the land was
donated to be used as a park and a road."
I have a little tie to this, you see it was my family who donated land in Downtown that became Harwood Street. Yes, my great great grandfather William Alexander Harwood helped establish Dallas. While I am opposed to a road being a toll road, I have to say that if the family wanted a road there, that is should be considered in this debate - and I don't think that it is.
It's a tough decision, I'll let you know what I do November 7th.