Speaker 1: 0:00

This episode sponsored by Kathy L Wall State Farm Agency. Learn more at kathylwallcom. And Tequila Comos luxury tequila refined Ask for it by name at Pogo, spex or your favorite liquor store. And Stewart Arango Oral Surgery Learn more at saoralsurgeonscom. Welcome to the Bubble Lounge.

Speaker 1: 0:25

I'm Martha Jackson and there are huge changes coming to Snyder Plaza. Today. I invited Katie Barron, director of Engineering with the City of University Park, to come talk to us and fill us in on all the changes that are coming up. We're going to talk about timing, the construction process, parking and what the new Christmas tree might look like. There's a lot that's going to be going on over the next 18 months. It's going to be a long process, but we're going to get through it. It's going to be worth it. So tune in today to get the full scoop from Katie Barron, director of Engineering with the City of University Park.

Speaker 1: 0:59

I wanted to give a personal thank you to our good friend and show sponsor, kathy Elwall State Farm Agency. We have known Kathy for more than 15 years and there is no person we trust more when it comes to insurance than Kathy Elwall. Kathy is always available to help you find the right insurance for your family needs, whether it's covering your home, auto or providing a life insurance policy tailored to the unique needs of families in Highland Park. My family trusts Kathy with our insurance and we hope you will too. Please visit kathylwaldcom to learn more and let her know that Martha from the Bubble Lounge sent you. Thank you for being here today, katie. It is my absolute pleasure.

Speaker 3: 1:36

Thank you for having me so much Of course.

Speaker 1: 1:37

Well, tell us about yourself and how you got involved with the City of University Park. Oh, that's a long story, how you got involved with the City of University Park.

Speaker 3: 1:45

Oh, that's a long story. My background is in civil engineering, so I am the director of engineering at the City of University Park. I was on the private side as a consultant for about 20 years before I came to the city, primarily working for municipal clients. But in fact the City of University Park was a client and they were missing a city engineer and I was performing that role from the consulting side and the public works director at the time asked me. He found his opportunity and he asked me if I was interested in coming to the city and I said yes, and that was five years ago this July. So I'm coming up on my five-year anniversary. Oh, wow, congratulations.

Speaker 1: 2:23

Yeah, thank you. So tell us what all you do for the city.

Speaker 3: 2:28

I was recently promoted to director of engineering Director position. Engineering used to be under the public works department and engineering was a division of that, and when our former director retired they saw an opportunity to reorganize the city and the department. So I was asked to be the director of engineering so I could help manage the city's capital project program. And that's primarily what I do help manage construction projects. My staff is inspectors, but also on the right-of-way side, the asset management side, we kind of touch a bunch of different things as it relates to projects that the city does. So I've got everything from alley work around the city that you'll see in closures that happen for alleys to these major capital projects like Snyder Plaza. The Miracle Mile is coming up. We're going to be redoing that. I liaison with Dallas County and City of Dallas and ATTA and Dallas Water Utilities and various other organizations that the city partners with and works with for funding opportunities and things like that.

Speaker 1: 3:39

My goodness that is a lot of hats you're wearing. That is a lot of different things that you're involved with.

Speaker 3: 3:44

Yes, ma'am, it keeps it interesting, though I like it.

Speaker 1: 3:47

Yeah, I'm sure there's never a dull day. No, well, we are here today to talk about our beloved Snyder Plaza. Everyone that I know absolutely loves it. Nellie and I talk about it all the time. We both live just a couple of blocks away, so we walked down there quite a bit. It's just such a wonderful destination that we're so lucky to have, and I understand that there's improvements in the works.

Speaker 3: 4:10

Yes, ma'am. So we've been having discussions about Snyder Plaza improvements for, say, the last five years or so, maybe probably longer than that, probably before you were born.

Speaker 1: 4:22

Yes, ma'am Now.

Speaker 3: 4:23

I know they've been talking about problems with parking since before I was born but for sure, um, since before any of us were born, I think, um, but from an overarching um, what the community wants the plaza to be, we started. We had a bunch of public meetings back. It was right at covid um, paris, rutherford, uh, resident here in the city and he owns the catalyst group and he did a series of public meetings for schematic things about what we, the community, want Snyder Plaza to be, what we like, what we don't like. Here's some ideas for some things Reached out to merchants and to the residents around there and the city at large, and that kind of helped to develop what the plaza, what people liked about the plaza.

Speaker 3: 5:09

One thing that people oftentimes don't realize is that the street and the sidewalk within the plaza is actually public space. So that's the city, right of way, the city owns that. It's very different from Highland Park Village. When you pull into the village and especially at Christmas, all those beautiful trees, all of that's private property. It's a private drive. So the city working with the property owners and I've had so many people even outside of this community I thought that was private no, that's the cities to own and maintain and operate. So with that we needed to partner with a bunch of the businesses and the property owners, as well as the residents in that area, to really come to a consensus about what to do with this, recognizing that the city needs to replace their infrastructure. So we have kind of a tiered approach to this and we've already done the utility project. That happened a couple years ago. We replaced all the water and sewer lines and the alley pavement.

Speaker 3: 6:18

This was almost two years ago, so I was looking back at some council presentations looking for a specific thing, and it was April of 2021 that we started this. I was like, oh, this is so funny. Three years ago almost exactly, and now we've got the surface improvements project and the city council approved a large plan. It's going to be adding lots of landscaping, some beautiful pavers in the sidewalk and also in the pavement. We're reconstructing the fountain, which was a big touch point for lots of people.

Speaker 3: 6:50

When they think Snyder Plaza, they think of that fountain and there were multiple options for what the fountain could look like and everybody wants it to basically have that cake tier, the same way that it is now, and so that's the design that we went with, but it's going to be beautiful with lighting and some different sprays and everything. It's going to be absolutely gorgeous, adding lots of landscaping. But I want to iterate this because I know listeners are very concerned about parking. That is also one of the big touch points. We had some additional green space that was added in in the original plan and that was removed in favor of keeping as much parking as we possibly could. As for just the configuration for how you pull into a parking space, you can't be too close to the crosswalk because if you back out, you're potentially backing over a pedestrian.

Speaker 3: 7:51

Right right, but one of the bigger pieces about this is the accessibility. The plaza's very old. It was originally. Some of those buildings date to the 20s and a lot of the infrastructure is actually from the 40s. So ADA was not a thing. Accessibility was not a thing, of course, back then. So one of the bigger goals is to make it accessible for all.

Speaker 2: 8:16

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Speaker 1: 9:05

Well, something that I think is so interesting and when I first found this out I was just blown away is that pretty much each individual area is individually owned. It's not owned by a corporation like Highland Park Village, so that must make it very challenging to get everyone on the same page.

Speaker 3: 9:22

Yes, ma'am, it has been a fun activity and, in fact, just getting people to respond to emails, sometimes because they've owned it for so long. And there are there's over 50 individual owners, something like that, and each individual shop, and we're trying to also be mindful of that piece shop and we're trying to also be mindful of that piece, and that's what is the charm of Snyder Plaza. But it also is a challenge from a coordination perspective, because you can't please all the people all of the time. In fact, getting a consensus is sometimes difficult but difficult. But I I think we've come up with a really good um plan that is going to be beneficial to all the owners and I know the construction is painful, um and messy and I say that all the time but the end result is going to be beautiful.

Speaker 1: 10:19

So when does this next phase start? It starts pretty soon, doesn't it?

Speaker 3: 10:39

we start on monday. Yes, ma'am. So well, this is a very timely yes, ma'am and Hersey for their construction staging. That's what they used for the utility project as well. So we actually have a mock-up there too. If any of your listeners are curious what this is going to look like, some of it is still there the paper's in the sidewalk, the light fixture. We're going to use the bench that's there. Unfortunately, we had to take the tree out because it needed to be removed for the construction project. But they're going to build this in phases and they start on Monday, may 6th, this coming Monday. On the Daniel end, they're actually going to work from the outside end and we have a little bit different, have a little bit different. Um, the whole plan was, uh is, from daniel up all the way up to lovers. Um, including a realignment at hillcrest and daniel, that crazy intersection right by cotton island. Um, that's kind of offset. It's not really very safe.

Speaker 1: 11:38

So I don't like that intersection, like I'm just like scanning back and forth making sure there's nobody walking across the street. It scares me a lot. Yes, ma'am, and it um.

Speaker 3: 11:48

it's also the number one intersection for pedestrian traffic in the city, which makes sense. It's right next to SMU. We have more pedestrians that use that intersection than any other, so we're really wanting to upgrade that. That intersection is not included in this phase of the construction, so the overall plan includes all of the streets. Phase of the construction. So the overall plan includes all of the streets.

Speaker 3: 12:11

We're still working with some property owners to get an easement to be able to work on their property. The north end, up north of Rankin, between Rankin and Lovers, is actually the right-of-way line, does not go all the way to the property line or the building line, excuse me. So all the sidewalk that's there currently is actually on private property and for us to be able to do anything there we have to have an easement from folks to do that. So that goes back to that individual owners that some want them and some don't. So who we were? Where we were able to get an easement, we'll be able to build. But we're not done with that yet. We are still hopeful that we'll be able to get that next piece done relatively quickly so we can move right into the next phase. So when I talk about the construction project. Phase one. It is really the pieces from Daniel up to Rankin, the whole plaza and then that north end where it's not divided. That will be, hopefully in a separate phase.

Speaker 1: 13:09

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Speaker 1: 13:56

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Speaker 3: 14:17

Yes, ma'am, but it's an 18-month project.

Speaker 1: 14:20

Okay, that was my next question. How long is this going to take?

Speaker 3: 14:23

So SYB is our contractor and they're're phasing each section three to four months. They're starting at Daniel and it's going to be a hard closure at Daniel, just past JD's Chippery. So right there at the alley is where we'll shut it down, there, next to the new building at 6600 Snyder Plaza, on all the way down to Kuby's. The sidewalk will be open right there but they're going to close that down during the summer months when SMU is not there and hopefully not as much school traffic with people trying to get to the middle school and the intermediate school. There's a lot of people that I know go that direction. So hoping to get that done in the summer. We're also working on the north end, at Westminster, there next to Tom Thumb, again just during the summer months, to try to get that done.

Speaker 3: 15:06

Then the next phase that we'll roll into is the block between Daniel and Rosedale. That will be closed. The sidewalk will be open. We'll start that in August and that will run through. So it's phased out and I can walk through all of them. But I didn't know how much time we had. So that's my meeting tonight. Your listeners can go watch the recorded meeting we did last week for any information.

Speaker 1: 15:29

Yeah, definitely. I would love to get a link for that to be able to share with everyone. Yes, ma'am. Well, like you said earlier, parking has been a problem since before most of us were around, and I would imagine it's going to get pretty bad during the construction. What advice or what options do we have as far as parking?

Speaker 3: 15:48

A couple of things. So the garage at Hilltop Plaza at 6565 will be open throughout construction. The first hour is free. That's actually part of the development agreement for that building. So if you're wanting to run in for lunch, and actually the businesses that are in Hilltop Plaza, Ramble Room and Crispin Green, they all validate your parking. I think Ramble Room is up to three hours. Oh very nice.

Speaker 3: 16:15

But there will be lots of wayfinding signs and while that section is closed, we're working with the city council to come up with a parking management that's in the works through the summer. We needed to get a little bit more information from the city's hired SunWest Communications to help us with messaging and PR and wayfinding signs and all of the creative things that the engineer in me does not do well, so I'm very happy to have them on board and they're going to be working on signs and we're specifically looking at a parking management strategy sometime this summer. So stay tuned with that. My best advice is to walk if you can.

Speaker 1: 17:04

Or maybe take your bike Right, right, right, something like that or maybe take your bike, something like that.

Speaker 3: 17:09

It is going to be a challenge. There will be detours involved and we're looking at everything from having some different off-site parking. Working with the owner at 6565 for a different strategy, the owner at 6565 for a different strategy. We've thrown out valet, but that's not necessarily the best option in this case, because you're just going to run to the dry cleaners or you're going to run into Plaza Health Foods. You don't need to valet your car, you just want to go pick up your belt and come back, run into Lane Florist and get your flowers.

Speaker 3: 17:46

You don't need to valet your car. So we're going to be working through that over the next couple of months.

Speaker 1: 17:52

Well, it sounds like there's a lot of changes. It is going to be difficult for us, but we can get through this. They are making a lot of improvements and it's going to look really nice when it's done. We're just going to have to be patient and put up with it for the next 18 months.

Speaker 3: 18:05

Yes, ma'am, I know construction is messy and inconvenient and it's loud and it's noisy and it's dirty, but the end result is absolutely worth it. We are working with a great contractor. This contractor actually did the utility project for us in Snyder Plaza. They're working currently in the city. They did the project when we closed Hillcrest for those several months when we did the stormwater project, so they're intimately familiar about how we work in the city and to be mindful of the residents and the neighbors and the business owners and everybody around. They just do excellent work and they're very timely. The utility project actually finished up six months sooner than we were anticipating. Okay, that never happens, I know, and they just have really good crews and we're thrilled that they were interested in doing this project in the first place and are working with us again.

Speaker 1: 19:01

Well good, it sounds like you have picked a very amazing construction company and hopefully that will help put a lot of minds at ease. I hope so too. Well, going back to parking for just real quick. Sure, I think it's really hard. I mean, I'm still not accustomed to going into that parking garage, but we're so used to parking running in and running out. But one of the benefits I wanted to point out, especially this summer, is it's going to keep your car a little cooler. It won't be out there baking in the sun.

Speaker 3: 19:25

Yes, ma'am, that's actually where I park. If I go over to the plaza at all, at all, minus if I've got to go to the bike store on the very north end or I'm running a tum-tum, obviously.

Speaker 2: 19:38

I'm going to use their parking lot.

Speaker 3: 19:39

Yeah, sure, it's very convenient. We'll have lots of signs for it. It is super nice to come out and not have a baking. It's easy to get in and out of as well, without having to circle around and try to find a parking space. I've actually had residents tell me well, it's very Yilgabera, nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded. I feel like that's also how Snyder Plaza is. People will and they'll give up. And I've had business owners tell me we can't find parking places. And it's the same thing in the Miracle Mile too, where we have a parking problem in the city that the public works department and the engineering department and the city manager's office are all aware of. And we're working through some things for how we can help alleviate some of those things, everything from construction, traffic on other streets to just not being able to get across town like you used to.

Speaker 3: 20:34

I can tell a big difference just in the time I've lived here. Yes, ma'am, Since I've started working here, there's just some streets I can't drive down with my work vehicle because my personal car is a little small car and so when I get in my work truck I feel too crowded in it. I can't drive down the streets. Oh my gosh, I'm going to hit something.

Speaker 1: 20:54

Right, it's. I feel too crowded and I can't drive down the street. Oh my gosh, I'm going to hit something, so I will. Can you tell us anything about any of the new businesses that are coming to Snyder Plaza? Is the rumor about a target true?

Speaker 3: 21:03

No, ma'am, the target rumor is not true, at least as far as I know, but I'm not that much in the know. But that is not the case, unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how, where you're sitting. But there I there's a couple of new restaurants that have come in I'm really excited about. I think it's Jack and Henry's Is that the name of it? Jack and Harry's? Jack and Harry's I've been. I actually was looking at some of those plans when they first got their permit. I actually was looking at some of those plans when they first got their permit. It's very exciting.

Speaker 3: 21:41

The building department has most of those newer businesses. I really enjoy having the restaurants there. I think it's a nice place to be, and that's the other thing that we're really going for with this project is to make it be somewhere where you want to linger. For with this project is to make it be somewhere where you want to linger, where you want to be able to have your dinner and then stroll down the street and maybe stop in one of the stores or stop and get an ice cream and hang out with your family, where it's not always it is a business area and during the day we're conducting business and you want to be able to stop at CVS and get your prescription and then leave. But in the evening it's nice to have a place to be Well.

Speaker 1: 22:22

I am definitely looking forward to more options with the restaurants. They were a little limited for a while there and it is definitely changing. And Jack and Harry's is very good and very pretty inside. Oh good, they spent a fortune to build that out and so it's a really neat place. But yeah, I mean for years, especially when our kids were younger, we would have dinner and walk down and go have yogurt and it's just such a perfect family place and Nellie and I talk about this on the show a lot is just how much we love the tree lighting. That's just so many special memories over the years of going to that.

Speaker 3: 22:53

While it's just so many special memories over the years of going to that. Yeah, while we're under construction, the tree lighting will be relocated, so that's TBD. I don't necessarily know that yet. It may end up actually being in our brand new Centennial Park, formerly Gore Park. Oh wow.

Speaker 1: 23:06

Okay.

Speaker 3: 23:06

We've talked about several different options and the Parks Department is working through that, so the ceremony will happen. It just won't be happening in snyder plaza while we're under construction, um, but it's always a great event, so we didn't want to have to cancel that well, I am glad that you were already talking about it because, we would be so sad if it didn't happen.

Speaker 3: 23:25

Oh, what one of the original things was. Well, we still have to have the tree there, okay, um, that was the the um. The tree is tbd, um, because it won't fit with the new fountain. But there'll be something new and improved that is different there, but the tree lighting will definitely still happen.

Speaker 1: 23:46

Well, this may not be a popular opinion, but I've thought the tree needed a little sprucing up and updating for a few years now, so I'll be excited to see what comes next.

Speaker 3: 23:56

yes, uh it is a fun. Um, it's a fun event. Uh, that takes a lot of um, planning and work from city staff and my the parks department starts planning for this. They start setting things up in october, so I think they're actually a little bit like okay, katie's not make, katie's made us not so busy this fall, but, surprise, that's right. Well, the other thing that I want to reiterate about the construction timing is we were really focusing on impacting only one holiday season and not two, so they're supposed to be wrapping up with construction by next fall. Okay, the last thing that will go in is all the landscaping in the trees. We're not putting those in by phase, so this is just going to be the paving piece, so it'll look a little stark and your listeners will be like I thought there were going to be plants. There are. We're just waiting until the construction is almost done because otherwise they're damaged and or all the plants are different sizes. So these bushes look beautiful because they've been in the ground for a year, and these over here?

Speaker 1: 25:03

are just brand new.

Speaker 3: 25:04

So, um, it's also better to plant in the fall than, like by you know, put in a heat of the summer and a bunch of bushes this, uh, august, and then they're, they're done, they're toast by october, so, um, so the last part of this project will be to put in the landscaping and to reconstruct the surface lot at Rankin. So where they're using their construction staging will be a surface parking lot, speaking of parking, but that's after this project is over.

Speaker 1: 25:28

All right. Well, thank you so much for being here today. It sounds like a lot of thought and a lot of planning has gone into this project. It sounds like it's going to be amazing when it's done and you have covered I feel like you've covered every single detail we could possibly think of, so thank you so much.

Speaker 3: 25:43

Oh, it's my pleasure. Thank you so much for having me.

Speaker 1: 25:44

It's always fun to talk about these projects, so I appreciate it, and where can people read up and learn more about the project?

Speaker 3: 25:51

So you can email me anytime. My name is Katie Barron and you can contact me from the city's website. And all of the Snyder Plaza improvements are actually there should be on the front page of the city's website with this upcoming construction project uptexasorg slash Snyder Plaza.

Speaker 1: 26:17

And I will share that link so you don't have to memorize it or write it down. Well, that's been another episode of the Bubble Lounge. I'm Martha Jackson and I'll catch you next time.