Posts by Andrew Plock
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U Stop Fina Near Sunset Trying to Sell Beer. Again.
At the next Dallas City Council meeting, U Stop Fina, a local gas station/convenience store near Sunset High School, is looking to obtain a beer-and-wine permit for the small neighborhood store.
By my count, the owner, Moe Barakat, and his representatives have gone to the council three times for such a permit — U Stop was last denied nearly two years ago at a meeting back in June 2011.
Then, Councilwoman Delia Jasso said the store at the corner of West Jefferson Boulevard and North Brighton Avenue needed to address neighbors’ concerns before they could move forward, adding that U Stop Fina should “come back in six months” once the issues were ironed out.
At the time, Jasso highlighted how neighbors were concerned with some of the customer base habitually urinating on the grounds and, of course, the store’s walking distance from nearby Sunset. One resident told Oak Cliff People some students already manage to shoplift food from the store let alone the alcohol that would potentially be on the shelves.
Both the City Plan Commission and city staff have recommended the council to approve this recent permit and now will be up for public discussion next Wednesday.
In any light, it seems the store obviously took its time in getting things in resubmitting, and those interested should make it to Dallas City Hall for the public hearing meetings on Jan. 9 at 1 p.m.
By Andrew Plock Jan. 2, 2013 | 2:44 pm | 6 Comments | Comments RSS -
Jasso Ends Year With Charitable Donations
Time to spread some holiday cheer.
According to a press release from Councilwoman Delia Jasso’s office, the Kidd Springs
Kessler Parkresident will be presenting four donations compiled from herself and private donors to Oak Cliff organizations this week:Students at W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy – (amount TBD)
La Academia De Estrellas Charter School Athletic Booster Club – $1000
Mountain View College Emeritus Center – $1000
Tyler Street United Methodist Church – $1000
Jasso will hold a presentation for each organization, and, if anyone is interested in seeing some charity at work, information on what the funds will go toward and event times are after the jump:
By Andrew Plock Dec. 19, 2012 | 6:04 am | 2 Comments | Comments RSS -
Sylvan Thirty Finally Breaking Ground
So says their Facebook page:
We’re getting closer to starting construction on Sylvan | Thirty. Tomorrow, fences are going up around the perimeter of the site. We expect our building permit to be issued by the City in mid-January. After that, we can start cleaning and preparing the site for construction.
According to the post, they plan to “hand the keys” to the grocery store, Cox Farms Market, by summer 2013. The grocer and other tenants should open for business by the fall.
They give a little disclaimer though.
As with any construction project, these dates may change some due to delays, weather or other factors. That said, we know you’re as anxious for us to open as we are and wanted to share some ballpark dates with you.
It’s funny because, as our long-lost Bradford Pearson knows, Sylvan Thirty has never been exactly on-key with guesstimations. Let’s hope this one sticks!
By Andrew Plock Dec. 13, 2012 | 4:05 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Two DPD Motorcycle Officers Crash on I-35E
According to the Dallas Morning News, two Dallas police officers were involved in a motorcycle crash this afternoon on I-35 near Beckley Avenue and Zang Avenue:
The more seriously injured officer was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Police officials said neither man’s injuries were life-threatening.
Another motorist involved in the crash was also loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital. That person was taken out of a red sedan facing south in the northbound lanes.
—the Morning News
DMN reported they don’t know what caused the crash, but that it shut down all northbound lanes and two southbound lanes of the highway.
Update: DPD has released a statement. Make the jump:
By Andrew Plock Dec. 11, 2012 | 1:22 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Santa Will Eat His Way Through Bishop Arts
There’s two things everyone knows about jolly old Saint Nick:
1) He loves to spread the Holiday spirit.
2) The man can eat.
No doubt that’s why he’s making a stop in the Bishop Arts District for the annual Jingle Bells on Bishop. Santa will be prepared for photos, and all of Bishop Arts will be feeling the Holiday cheer with events and shopping.
It’s happening this Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.
Seriously though. Where do you think Santa Claus would eat at in the BAD?
By Andrew Plock Nov. 28, 2012 | 8:29 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Future Slurpee Spot For Sunset High Students
Work crews with Dallas Demolition tear down the shell of a Texaco gas station to make room for a new 7-Eleven during a project spearheaded by Dallas city councilwoman Delia Jasso. The 7-Eleven will be located at Jefferson Blvd., and Hampton Road. Staff Photo: Chris McGathey
There is nothing like seeing a huge mechanical creation tear metal to shreds.
That’s what my Monday was like outside of an abandoned Texaco at the corner of North Hampton Road and West Jefferson Boulevard. The building was being leveled to make way for a new 7-Eleven that will take the vacated lot up a notch or two.
The strangest thing about the old gas station was the inside. It look as though the owner just closed up shop and left behind everything from old display cases to ice cream signs. The interior looked pretty post-apocalyptic with the vents torn from the ceiling — copper theives — and debris covering every square inch of the floor.
Councilwoman Delia Jasso said she was thrilled that after shopping around for potential businesses, 7-Eleven was able to come in and revamp the property.
So three to four months from now expect this place to be crawling with nearby Sunset High School students, and read more about the demolition in this week’s Oak Cliff People.
By Andrew Plock Nov. 27, 2012 | 2:51 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Bolsa Mercado Dishes Out House-Made Ice Cream
So says their Facebook page.
Mercado now has our own ice cream….
Lavender, Honey & Pine Nuts
PB&J
Brownie Pie
Caramel Apple
Vanilla , Lemon & Buttermilk
Pumpkin CheesecakeThe flavor lineup looks pretty solid. But in my college days, I worked at a gelato bar where every now and then we busted out a lavender flavor that had an off-putting, lilac color. I quickly learned that I am not a fan of plant-flavored ice cream nor lavender. But lemon desserts? That’s another story.
In any regard, the ice cream is on sale in their freezers now.
By Andrew Plock Nov. 21, 2012 | 11:33 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
North Bishop “Complete Street” Official, Historic
Councilwoman Delia Jasso takes note of the items collected for a time capsule celebrating the new "complete street" on North Bishop Avenue. Staff Photo: Chris McGathey
Yesterday city officials and North Oak Cliff neighbors gathered at Colorado Boulevard and North Bishop Avenue to celebrate the first “complete street” in District 1. Councilwoman Delia Jasso and Mayor Mike Rawlings cut a ribbon signifying the completion of $3.7 million worth of improvements done to the road.
Jasso marked the historic day by having North Oak Cliff residents give a snapshot of the district with a time capsule. The capsule will be unearthed exactly 15 years from now on Nov. 20, 2027.
Her office collected items such as church newsletters, a Bible, a map of the future streetcar, a pamphlet on Methodist Dallas Medical Center’s new trauma center, a business directory from the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, and a flash drive containing pictures of the area.
“Let’s hope they have something to play flash drives on in the future,” Jasso said with a laugh.
For more on what went into the time capsule and the info on the new street, pick up this week’s Oak Cliff People.
By Andrew Plock Nov. 21, 2012 | 10:07 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Good Space, Board of Adjustments: Round Two
In his search for exemptions for his newest apartment building, David Spence, founder of Good Space, was denied his requests for one of two of the new structures.
While his property at 908 N. Bishop Ave. was denied, he will appear today in front of the city’s Board of Adjustment for similar requests at 801 N. Bishop Ave. Spence sought the changes in Dallas code so he could build a parking lot along the back side of the property that could have access to the alley. Those for and against his ventures came to yesterday’s meeting with Kidd Springs Neighborhood Association members leading the way of the opposition.
Although Spence was denied the requests, he and the Kidd Springs members met after the board meeting to compromise. Some neighbors were worried about extensive alley use as well as losing the buffer space a multi-family structure must have from single-family. Spence said he is hopefully they have found a solution for the 801 property.
For more on Good Space’s requests and coverage of the board meeting, pick up this week’s Oak Cliff People.
By Andrew Plock Nov. 14, 2012 | 8:21 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Oak Cliff History Captured In Time Capsule
Be a part of Oak Cliff history. Photo: Councilwoman Delia Jasso's office
To celebrate the official completion of the Bishop Avenue complete street project, the City of Dallas along with Kidd Springs residents will bury a time capsule with items from the North Oak Cliff area.
On Nov. 20, a ribbon cutting ceremony and capsule will christen the street at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Bishop Avenue.
The street is now offering a dedicated bike lane as well as inset parking between Methodist Dallas Medical Center and the Bishop Arts District.
Anyone in District 1 can submit items for the capsule. Just send items to Councilwoman Delia Jasso’s office at Dallas City Hall. The only stipulation is that selected items must be able to fit through the 9-inch opening and rest within the 12-inch-by-12-inch-by-16-inch box.
They’re accepting everything from letters to electronics to help date the capsule. The box will be unearthed 15 years from now in 2027 so chances are an iPod will have the same relevance a Walkman has today.
By Andrew Plock Nov. 2, 2012 | 12:56 pm | 1 Comment | Comments RSS
