Speaking of our pal Justin ...
Last year we enlisted him to shoot the city as it went dark for World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour. Only problem: Despite the lengthy list of buildings scheduled to join the 60-minute blackout, it didn't look all that different -- maybe a little dimmer.
Which isn't stopping Dallas from giving this another go: Frank Librio at Dallas City Hall sends word that tomorrow night, "hundreds of North Texas residents and businesses have made a commitment" to turn off "all non-essential lights for one hour." Should last from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Says Mayor Tom, "Earth Hour is an opportunity to unite with our neighbors around the
globe on a singular issue that is important to us all. This event complements the work we've been doing with our
Green Dallas initiatives and is a symbolic way to make a bold statement
about Dallas's commitment to the environment."
A list of participating buildings follows. I, on the other hand, will be well-lit after having spent the afternoon at Lee Harvey's. And, moments ago, the Fairmont Hotel sent word that it's offering "a candlelight Happy Earth Hour, featuring organic appetizers and the resurrection of the sustainable-themed signature drink, the Ecotini."
Via City Hall, this the list of a few of the "hundreds of North Texas residents and businesses" that say they'll go lights-out tomorrow. City Hall also provided the buiildings' descriptions.
1700 Pacific Avenue (known for its stair step top)
1900 North Akard St. (home of Hunt Oil; building with lighted elliptical extending "over" Woodall Rogers)
2100 Ross
3811 Turtle Creek Centre
Bank of America Plaza (recognizable green neon outline
Belmont Hotel
Chase Tower (known for its hole near the top of the building)
Comerica Bank Tower (former Bank One Center; granite barrel vaulted skyscraper)
Crescent Court
DART & Sanger Harris Building (DART Headquarters)
Fairmont Dallas
Fountain Place (blue-green reflective glass skyscraper with its characteristic pointed top)
Hotel Lawrence
Hyatt Regency Dallas (known for its mirrored exterior/adjacent to Reunion Tower)
Mercantile Bank Building (ornamental clock tower and spire)
One Victory Park
Renaissance Tower (large X lighting design--also known as home to J.R. Ewing's office)
Reunion Tower (signature lighted ball atop the tower)
Rosewood Court
Sheraton Dallas Hotel
South Side on Lamar
SMU
The Tower at Cityplace
Transwestern properties- Central Region
UNT Systems Building (downtown)UNT Dallas Campus
In addition, numerous City-owned assets are participating including (among others):
City Hall
Dallas Central Library
Dallas Convention Center
Dealey Plaza
Ferris Plaza (with fountain across from Dallas Morning News and Union Station)
Main Street Garden Park
Pegasus Plaza
The Pegasus (red neon sign atop Magnolia Hotel)
In 2009, many of Dallas was one of only nine key U.S. cities leading the Earth Hour effort. Many of the city's landmark buildings making up Dallas' signature skyline responded to Mayor Leppert's challenge to participate. Earth Hour 2009 marked the first time that Dallas' signature skyline and central business district intentionally went dark.
There is still time to participate! Dallas and North Texas residents, businesses and organizations are encouraged to turn off their lights for the event. To officially sign-up and be counted, log on to www.MyEarthHour.org
Lights affecting public safety, such as lights in public spaces and street lights will remain on.
