The Lowdown On Arlington's Downtown

Resident's of Arlington will have to wait a little while longer to enjoy a "pedestrian friendly" downtown that mimics those of Cowtown and Big D. Last Wednesday, Planning & Zoning commissioners postponed a vote on the downtown design standards until 09.07.05. While I'm tempted to take all the credit for slapping some sense into the commission, modesty forces me to admit that the 30 people that turned out to protest the new rules had more to do with it. Perhaps the interval will give the commissioners time to consider just how silly the proposal is. To gaze up the sea of used car lots that is downtown Arlington and think that developers are swarming around waiting to invest their cash in the area if only the city will adopt tons of new rules is just ridiculous.

Of course, the new plan will probably come too late for the Local Color Gallery, a combination coffee house, art gallery, and local music venue. The Star-Telegram is reporting that the facility will likely close due to low receipts. This type of establishment would seem to be exactly what the new design standards have in mind for the area. Of course, since the coffee house operated with free volunteer labor, yet couldn't pay its bills. One has to wonder how Arlington city leaders think other more profit-oriented businesses would thrive. If only the little coffee house can hang on until the city adopts is 250 pages of new rules. That's sure to attract more people.