Jill Jordan

Schutze and the Mayor Argue About the City's Future. And We Have the Audio to Prove It.

Burning Bridges

Get On the Bus As Some City Council Members Tour the Trinity River -- For, Um, Like, the Very First Time?

Oh, To Be a Fly on the Wall During Closed Session at City Hall Tomorrow

In the Absence of a Trinity River Project, Fun and Fascinating Meetings

The Arena Papers

Inside the secret City Hall files: A tale of dupes and deception

Corps' Liaison Unveiled at Trinity Meeting, Faces Tough Questions from Rasansky

Sam MertenHalfway through the presentation, Carolyn Davis apparently heard all she needed to know about the corps and said adios.Yesterday afternoon, the council's Trinity River Corridor Project Committee learned about the inner workings of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from their newly appointed ... More >>

Mitchell Rasansky Tells City to Get the Pocketbook Ready if it Wants to Push Out Family-Owned Scrap Metal Recyclers

Sam MertenCouncil member Mitchell Rasansky meets with owners of local scrap metal recycling businesses after blasting city staff for how they've handled the issue.As we mentioned yesterday, the city council's Trinity River Corridor Project Committee was briefed on what should be done about the scra ... More >>

Nobody Puts Jill Jordan in a Corner. Well, Except Maybe Angela Hunt.

This is the first in a morning series of videos provided by members of Your Dallas City Council. First up, this lengthy offering from Angela Hunt (co-starring assistant city manager Jill Jordan), who writes on her Web site by way of introduction today, "If you've got 20 minutes on your hands and a h ... More >>

Gunfight at the Trinity

The biggest shoot-out in Dallas' political history

Know the Score

Plus: Wet and Wilder; Greener Pastures

The Shell, the Pea and We

How many times can we play City Hall's little sucker games?

Rasansky Says Supporting Leppert Was His Biggest Regret, Explains Support of Trinity River Toll Road And Much, Much More

Sam MertenAfter serving eight years as a city plan commissioner and another eight as a council member representing some of North Dallas's more upscale neighborhoods, 72-year-old Mitchell Rasansky is no longer roaming City Hall when he's most needed. Replaced last month by Ann Margolin because of ter ... More >>

Dream Weaver: City Bringing In "The Man Who Built Vancouver" to Talk West Dallas

Larry Beasley​Speaking of the Trinity River Corridor Project ... When last we saw Larry Beasley, "the man who built Vancouver," he was among a handful of urban planners imported to teach the Dallas City Council a thing or three during a daylong gab session at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in ... More >>

The City's Done Some Clean-Up Work on the Levees. But the Big Repairs? None So Far.

One of the 72 levee issued repaired: the Little Coombs Creek Conduit on the West Levee, where crap behind the flap gate prevented it from sealing. Crap removed, problem solved.​For those who didn't take a look at the Trinity River Corridor Committee briefing doc to which I linked first thing this ... More >>

After First Claiming It Couldn't Without Trinity Parkway, City Prepped to Do the Wright Thing

Once more, a proposed S.M. Wright realignment, which you'll need to click to enlarge​Here's another early peek at the Dallas City Council's briefing agenda -- this one concerning the list of projects, major and minor, the City Manager's Office is proposing to pay for out of the bond sale scheduled ... More >>

Several Council Members Say That, You Know, a Teensy-Tiny Tax Hike Ain't a Bad Idea

​Speaking of the council and the budget and fees versus taxes ...As we mentioned yesterday, Tennell Atkins's budget amendment called for a 1-cent property tax increase -- which I didn't think would get terribly far, given council members, the mayor and the city manager's oft-repeated vows not to r ... More >>

Angela Hunt Tells Council and City Manager of City's Permit Process: "I Hate to See the City Have a Hand in Shuttering Any Businesses."

In response to DMN'er Sherry Jacobson's story about the city's frustrating permit process and its effect on neighborhood farmers markets, council member Angela Hunt has requested the investigation of the permitting processes in other cities so the city council can consider changes as soon as possib ... More >>

Off Track, or: Some Notes from the City Council's Downtown Streetcar Briefing

Courtesy Justin CozartThis piece from 1945 must be what DowntownDallas's Kourtny Garrett means when she writes, "I'd say we're coming full circle."​Grudgingly, I have to say that the two Dallas City Council members who asked the best questions at today's council briefing on downtown trolleys were ... More >>

Just When You Think You've Heard Every Last Bit of WTF Concerning the Trinity River ...

Patrick Michels Bonus: Since the city's Calatrava construction cam is still stuck in September, we decided to update it with some fresh pics available right here.​Oh, you caught me here at my desk doing a little quick calculation, totting some things up, always a dangerous exercise for a hi ... More >>

Wringing Out the Dead: City's Looking to Shake Some Pocket Change Out of Cemeteries

​That headline, though, isn't the real takeaway from this Transportation and Environment Committee briefing prepped for next week's meeting, during which assistant city manager Jill Jordan will suggest how to make $12,000 this year and $20,000 annually after that by going after delinquent cemetery ... More >>

Trolley Issue Shifts Political Paradigm to North Oak Cliff; How Will City Hall React?

Courtesy the Oak Cliff Transit Authority​It will be really interesting to see how city staff handles this week's stunning announcement of a $23 million federal grant to fund a trolley connecting downtown with North Oak Cliff. This is not at all where the staff wanted to go. Last October I cov ... More >>

A Big Green Thumbs Down: Council Sends Staff "Back to The Drawing Board" on Neighborhood Farmers Markets

Daniel RodrigueFarmers, bakers and lotion makers -- all wanting to voice their concerns to council member Delia Jasso and assistant city manager Jill Jordan. ​More than two dozen folks -- several of whom broke meeting protocol by talking to council members and city staff -- showed up yesterday a ... More >>

So Why Does the City Use Those False Trinity Drawings? It's All About the "Prime Real Estate," Duh.

Sam MertenCarolyn Davis to Jill Jordan: "Just tell it like it is."​Although the city council's Trinity River Corridor Project Committee didn't vote on a plan to transform Riverfront Boulevard into a not-really-a-"complete street," committee members voiced support of the $54.5 million project, ... More >>

At City Hall, It's Back to the Drawing Board On Community Garden, Downtown DART Plans

​Well, soon as the Trash-Attack Code Compliance crew cleared out, this afternoon's party at City Hall sure died fast. Blame it on this bummer of a PowerPoint from DART, explaining the long-term impact of having flat sales tax revenues over the last 10 years, referred to simply as "The Lost Decade" ... More >>

Carolyn Davis Does Her Best Angela Hunt Impression, But Not Before Doing Her Best Carolyn Davis Impression

Sam MertenRobert told me to get a pic of Dave Neumann, who had a conflict during today's floodplain ordinance presentation. So. Here. It. Is.​It was déjà vu at this morning's Trinity River Corridor Project Committee meeting as Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway preached about revitalizing the Ceda ... More >>

Why Dallas Can't Strengthen Anti-Idling Rules

​On March 23, 2007, the Dallas City Council signed off on the anti-idling ordinance, which went into effect October 1, 2007, and penalized vehicles weighing more than 14,000 pounds from idling for more than five minutes between April 1 and October 31 -- the so-called "ozone season." Drivers caught ... More >>

Following the Money, Live at City Hall With the Trinity River Corridor Project Committee

Sam MertenDave Neumann and Rebecca Rasor chat before this morning's committee meeting.​We're here at City Hall for the Trinity River Corridor Project Committee's briefing about the recent setback in the city's rush to restore the Trinity River levees' 100-year flood protection before FEMA finalize ... More >>

Lookin' for a Home in the Heart of the 21st Century City at Dallas City Hall Next Month

Joel Kotkin​We -- meaning, you -- just got the nicest invitation to Dallas City Hall on November 12. It's for a little get-together called the 21st Century City Conference, which is being staged by The Trinity Trust, The Dallas Institute and the CityDesign Studio. There's some info on the website ... More >>

Beat the Retreat: Liveblogging the City Council's Tuesday Spent at the Wyly Theatre

Andrea GrimesThis is what it looks like when Mayor Tom, standing, and the council set up shop in a performance space.​Good morning, Friends o' The Unfair Park. I'm poised alongside a couple of very handsome Dallas Morning News writers at an inadequately small Ikea work table somewhere high up in t ... More >>

The City Still Wants to Widen Old Central Downtown. But Unhappy Property Owners Say the Price is Very, Very Wrong.

The city's plans to expand César Chávez Boulevard still call for the demoltion of 2226 Elm, which is one of the oldest buildings in downtown.​No doubt you've forgotten all about plans to widen and two-way The Expressway Formerly Known As Central downtown -- a plan that's been around since '05 b ... More >>

Asst. City Manager Jordan Addresses Need For, Concerns About Street Widening Downtown

Click to embiggen this peek at the old Central expansion from the council's January 28, 2009, meeting agenda.​Assistant City Manager Jill Jordan called back late yesterday to discuss those still-in-place plans to widen César Chávez Boulevard from Live Oak to Commerce -- plans that call for the d ... More >>

Angela Hunt Insists Widening Chávez Will Create "A Cohesive Entry Into Downtown"

​Speaking of Angela Hunt ...The maybe-mayoral candidate who presently reps that stretch of downtown due to be widened says that, yes, she's all for it. She was back in January 2009, you may recall, when she asked for a time-out so she could confer with DowntownDallas president and CEO John Crawfor ... More >>

Wait a Sec. There's Something Wrong With the Levees? Somebody Tell Carolyn Davis ASAP!

Photo by Sam MertenThe six-headed Trinity monster (from left to right): Jill Jordan, Kelly High, Rebecca Rasor, Liz Fernandez, Col. R.J. Muraski and Kevin Craig​If little else, attending Trinity River Corridor Project Committee meetings is a constant reminder of the jaw-dropping ignorance of c ... More >>

And Don't Forget the New Sylvan Ave. Bridge

Click to embiggen for a better look at a cross section of the new and improved Sylvan Avenue bridge.​Sam's bringing bagels and coffee to this morning's meeting of the Trinity River Corridor Project Committee; he's got questions, many questions, specifically about the second Calatrava bridge that w ... More >>

Committee Approves Margaret McDermott Bridge Redesign That Pays Calatrava Eight Million Bucks But Costs the City Nada

Photo by Sam MertenCity Manager Mary Suhm answers questions at today's TRCP Committee meeting.​At the behest of City Manager Mary Suhm, the city council's Trinity River Corridor Project Committee this morning unanimously approved a revised $8 million contract with architect Santiago Calatrava ... More >>

Why Did Council Just Approve $10.7 Million For New McDermott Bridge? Because "No One Remembers the Little Things We Do."

Photo by Sam MertenWe're not sure what the Margaret McDermott Bridge will look like, but this version's already been scrapped.​The city council by a 13-1 vote this morning approved a $10.7 million contract with architect Santiago Calatrava to design pedestrian and bicycle components for the pr ... More >>

Scratch That May 7 Dedication Off To-Do List, As Dallas Wave Is Closed Till Further Notice

Photo by Harry Wilonsky​Below, unhappy Friend of Unfair Park Ben notes in the comments that the Dallas Wave (formerly known as the Standing Wave) is off-limits -- meaning, you can wave adios to that May 7 dedication ceremony that's been on the books since last fall. Willis Winters, second-in-comma ... More >>

Dallas's E.D. Problem: Nothing Several Tons of Steel Won't Fix

Photo by Harry Wilonsky​Below, unhappy Friend of Unfair Park Ben notes in the comments that the Dallas Wave (formerly known as the Standing Wave) is off-limits -- meaning, you can wave adios to that May 7 dedication ceremony that's been on the books since last fall. Willis Winters, second-in-comma ... More >>

Browse City's Options For Turning Riverfront Boulevard Into a Complete-Ish Street

Click to embiggen Riverfront Option No. 2, which would reduce it to six lanes for 1.5 miles and add two bike lanes​OK. So. About that Belleview Connector below.The reason it's on the Trinity River Corridor Project Committee's agenda tomorrow is because that bridge -- which, as more than a few Frie ... More >>

City Sues Texas Attorney General to Keep From Releasing Trinity Project Docs We Requested

All your solar-powered water taxis are belong to us, says Dallas City Hall.​OK, now we're really curious. We're talking to you, Dallas City Hall, about those Trinity River project emails and memos you're fighting to keep us from seeing. What, has someone been unduly candid in his or her assessment ... More >>

Dallas City Hall Fights to Keep its Trinity Secrets

What's in the emails we can't see? Lots of bad stuff, no doubt.

Are They Angels or Grinches at Dallas City Hall? Depends Which Project You're Discussing.

​Sometimes I think city staff may be demon-possessed. I'm sorry, I know it's a very weird thing to say. But I can't come up with another explanation. One day they're so bouncy and positive and totally can-do. The next day they've been taken over by the negativity goblin. I attended a city council ... More >>

Council Faces Huge Bill for IT Glitch. Maybe They Should Just Dial Jesus for Technical Help.

​The Dallas city council today is locked in a dispute today over paying a contractor $8.3 million to help City Manager Mary Suhm straighten out a huge mess with the city's computerized billing system. Unable to resolve it this morning, they will come back to the question this afternoon. Watch ... More >>

Here's a New Year's Resolution For City Hall: Stop Trying to Screw With the Trinity River

​Over the holiday weekend I spent a few very enjoyable hours on the Trinity River with Trinity Rivers Expeditions outfitter and canoe guide Charles Allen. We paddled from Trinity River Mountain Creek Preserve near the intersection of Walton Walker and IH-30 in Irving to the Sylvan Avenue Bridge i ... More >>

Up East Dallas Without a Paddle

​Very mixed feelings about the city council briefing coming up this morning on proposed East Dallas storm-water projects. On the one hand, my paranoia is confirmed, which is always satisfying. On the other hand, there's not much I can do about it. Yes, just as I thought, my house in East Dall ... More >>

On Flood Control, Dallas Better Think Nationally or Be Ready to Drown Locally

​Man, talk about whistling past the graveyard. At yesterday's Dallas City Council meeting, council members Tennell Atkins and Delia Jasso asked good questions about the city's flood control plans, and City Manager Mary Suhm and her assistant, Jill Jordan, gave good answers. But it was all deck ... More >>

Margolin: Horse Park Proposal Not What Voters Agreed To. Allen: But It'll Be "World Class."

The revised master plan for the Texas Horse Park, if it's ever fully built out​The council's Economic Development Committee kicked off its morning meeting by taking up the Texas Horse Park, which came up $14 million short in private funds but remains high on the city's to-do list. Hence, as we've ... More >>

Mayor Mike Kicks Back Horse Park Proposal, Says to Slow Down On This "World-Class" Thing

​We began the new year by rehashing an ancient topic: the proposed Texas Horse Park that's been around since the mid-1990s and was part of the $246-million capital bond program for the Trinity River Corridor Project approved by voters in 1998. Reason it never happened: The folks charged with partn ... More >>