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Apr 3, 2006 11:45 pm US/Central
Deep Ellum Looking To Bring In New Clientele
by Jay Gormley
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Deep Ellum took its first step in an attempt to change the neighborhood's image. The Deep Ellum Task Force met Monday for the first time.
The task force says it wants to clean up the area by bringing in new clientele.
Members of the task force say they want to change the face of Deep Ellum.
"We are looking to make the neighborhood a little more balanced and make it a little bit older. Older being… an older clientele. So we want to make it a 24-hour neighborhood," said Barry Annino, Deep Ellum Foundation.
The change could mean less night life and more day life.
The Deep Ellum Neighborhood Association wants to attract people during the day with residential and retail space.
The neighborhood is widely known for its night life, with its bars and clubs.
Critics say Deep Ellum has gone downhill, mainly because of the clubs that stay open until 4:00 am.
"The police department can tell us specifically why there are crime issues at two o'clock in the morning. And when you talk to them they tell you that it's 18-20 year olds who are coming down because some of these big clubs attract that clientele, and that's a problem," said Dallas Mayor, Laura Miller.
To accomplish the goal the Deep Ellum Task Force is pushing to rezone the neighborhood.
That would force late-night bars to file for special use permits that have to be renewed every year.
The after-hour club owners say they're being made the scapegoat and argue that crimes rarely take place inside their clubs. They blame the crime rate on cruising and loitering.
Those who want to bring more people to Deep Ellum during the daytime are considering offering free parking during the day.
Meanwhile the mayor and the task force will take a walking tour of Deep Ellum this Friday.
(CBS 11 News)
