I was born in Dallas and since the weather is so steaming hot, there’s not that many homeless people camping outside in the blazing heat so there’s actually not that much trash out there.
Oh I agree, totally should revitalize the network of tunnels and add eateries and coffee shops and even offices for businesses. I've known about them for decades, I've seen an entrance here and there, subway I think was down there. I think I saw an old Quiznos in your video. Anyway, they also have the walkway bridge network between buildings. Saw you were on some of that.
FYI, the reason the AMC was the last to close was because it had a long contract with the mall that would have cost a lot of money for the mall to break. In many of the plans for the area, AMC was going to get a replacement building for them to move into. It seems like all of the delays and red tape for the project outlasted AMC's contract, though. Edit: It's sad to see the theater in such bad shape. I worked there for a single day due to a projectionist shortage. My boss decided to just send me to the location, and it was in not so great shape. I remember arguing with the GM about how they had UPS units for their ad projectors where as my theater did not (one of them had failed and I was trying to explain why the ad projector would not stay on.)
The city of Dallas should definitely revitalize the tunnels. In fact, they should implement affordable housing for employees of stores, shops & offices. It would only make perfect sense.
I would work in downtown from time to time, and always enjoyed the tunnels. There were so many little shops and surprises as you found connections from one place to another. I particularly liked being able to access Thanksgiving Park from the tunnels. It disappoints me to see them so abandoned and ignored. They are one of the unique features of Dallas.
Worked downtown for a couple of years in the early 90’s. Used them when it was raining but I didn’t mind the heat. The tunnels did have some neat stores and restaurants. I worked at Skyway Towers and would take the tunnels to the library just to save time not having to cross streets. They certainly weren’t secret.
There was a skatepark there before House Park as well. And then a DIY slab while they were building it. Both were great. That would have been 07-10ish and before
Eco-smart -underground means constant temperature. Moisture and solid rock are problems to be reckoned with; amazing they accomplished this and it still exists
Dallas' approach to the homeless is to do nothing and pretend they don't exist. It hasn't been a big success. Ft. Worth is just the opposite. They acknowledge the problem, and sort of concentrate the shelters and missions on East Lancaster. It's created a little mini-Skid Row, but it's where all of the resources for the homeless are, and there is more of an actually homeless community. And there is more of an effort by the city towards providing halfway houses, and paths back from homelessness.
You mentioned the machete guy. Not too long ago, a guy with a machete killed a jogger one morning on the trail I think just south of Walnut Hill. But I think he may not have been homeless? I seem to remember he was an ex-college athlete with presumed mental illness? Anyway, I'm usually leary of anyone carrying a machete, especially in hidden encampments.
Ok, probably doesn't quite fit the list but a song that always screams skateboarding to me is "California uber alles - dead kennedys". It was basically my favorite song from Tony hawks american wasteland. That was totally one of my favorite games on my Playstation 2!!! :D So when ever I hear this I get nostalgic to the game 😅
