Jan 23, 2006 11:18 pm US/Central
Rezoning Plan Sets Out To Make Deep Ellum Safer
by Jay Gormley
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
In recent years several prominent businesses have moved out of Deep Ellum and many people have stayed away from the Dallas neighborhood because of safety concerns.
There are many in Deep Ellum that believe the area has the potential to be what Greenwich Village is to New York.
They see this neighborhood as a mix of residents and eclectic businesses... much like it was in the mid 90's.
Deep Ellum used to be a neighborhood of residents, nice restaurants, art galleries, and live music.
But many of those businesses have left, leaving Deep Ellum with a bad reputation.
Daniel Carreras, owner of Club Envy, says he's tired of taking the blame. "The problem with Deep Ellum is we get all the blame. There's no one else to point fingers to, there's no one else down here."
Carreras says the nightclub owners don't seek trouble... trouble seeks them. During our interview that's exactly what happened when a man looking for a fight walked in off the street.
In November the outside of Club Hush was the scene of an argument turned deadly.
Jeremy Emerson is moving out, but says he does so with mixed emotions. "Nothing really here that I want to do to be honest. That and it's just not a safe environment it doesn't feel like."
Advocates for a safer Deep Ellum say there are five dance clubs causing most of the problems. So they have introduced a plan to rezone the neighborhood.
"That means less demand on the police, less violence, a more, a safer environment for new development," said John Tatum, Deep Ellum Foundation.
The rezoning would require all nightclubs and bars to get special use permits. Since the permits would be renewed every year any businesses causing problems could be turned down and kicked out.
The rezoning would also change Elm and Commerce from one-way streets to two-way streets... to help cut down on cruising.
There's also an effort to encourage people to move to Deep Ellum, with rezoning allowing for construction of new townhouses.
Three new DART stations will also be opening in the area in the summer of 2009.
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