Bridging Concerns

The Open-Ended City: David Dillon on Texas Architecture, a collection of essays compiled and edited by Kathryn E. Holliday, provides deep insights into the urban and architectural landscape of Texas. A compendium of David Dillon’s articles written for The Dallas Morning News from the 1980s to the early 2000s, it includes his critiques of the Trinity River development in Dallas and reflects Dillon’s concerns about the complexities and challenges of urban development in a rapidly growing city like Dallas.

In several articles dated between 1993 and 2003, Dillon discusses the Trinity River plan as part of a broader examination of Dallas’s urban development trajectory. The Trinity River, which runs through the heart of Dallas, had long been a subject of debate. The project aimed to transform this underutilized natural resource into a vibrant urban space, complete with parks and recreational areas. It also proposed significant infrastructure improvements, like the Trinity River Corridor Project and the construction of new bridges designed by Santiago Calatrava. (Fig. 01)

Dillon was wary of grandiose visions that lacked coherence and integration with the existing urban fabric. He argued that the Trinity River development, while ambitious, risked becoming a collection of disparate projects rather than a unified, thoughtfully planned urban renewal effort. He saw this as symptomatic of Dallas’s broader urban development strategies, which often prioritized rapid growth and flashy designs over long-term sustainability and community needs.

Dillon questioned whether the architectural and landscape design of the project truly reflected the character and needs of Dallas. He believed that the development’s aesthetic choices were crucial, not just for creating an attractive space but for establishing a sense of place that resonated with the city’s residents. Dillon often compared Dallas’s approach to that of other cities that had successfully integrated natural features into their urban environments, such as San Antonio’s River Walk or Boston’s Emerald Necklace.

The book highlights a recurring theme in Dillon’s writings, his concern about the environmental impact of the Trinity River project. He wondered whether the project could be harmoniously integrated with the natural ecosystem of the river. Dillon was also concerned about the project’s social implications, particularly how it would affect the communities living near the river. He emphasized the need for developments that were inclusive and accessible to all residents, rather than projects that primarily served the interests of developers or affluent neighborhoods. In the case of the Trinity River, Dillon hoped it would serve as a model for growth in Dallas, respecting its natural context and addressing the needs of all its citizens.

Today, the vision for Harold Simmons Park, as articulated by Trinity Park Conservancy CEO Tony Moore and design firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, presents a meaningful response to many of the concerns David Dillon raised in his critiques of past Trinity River development efforts. Dillon was deeply concerned about the potential for disjointed urban planning, environmental neglect, and the risk of prioritizing aesthetic spectacle over meaningful public benefit. The current plans for Harold Simmons Park seem to address these issues thoughtfully. (Fig.02)

For example, one of Dillon’s primary concerns was the integration of the natural landscape with urban development, ensuring that projects like these did not overlay nature with artificial constructs but genuinely embraced and preserved the natural environment. The emphasis on the river and green floodway as the heart of Harold Simmons Park, with 200 of the 250 acres dedicated to nature preserves, directly speaks to this concern. The park’s commitment to making the river a central, unifying element rather than a neglected or marginalized feature suggests a shift toward the kind of sensitive, inclusive planning Dillon advocated for.

Furthermore, his worry about the environmental impact of large-scale urban projects is addressed through careful attention to flood mitigation and safety, as highlighted by the park’s collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers. The focus on flood safety and the adaptive design of the levees demonstrates a recognition of the natural challenges posed by the river, aligning with Dillon’s insistence on sustainable development that respects environmental realities.

Finally, the park’s design, which features overlooks that connect people to the floodway and leverage the topography of the levees, is consistent with Dillon’s desire for developments that not only are visually appealing but also foster a sense of place and connection among residents. By turning the river and its greenway into a “joiner” rather than a divider, the Harold Simmons Park initiative seeks to address one of Dillon’s key critiques: the need for urban projects to serve as inclusive, unifying spaces that bring together different parts of the city. Harold Simmons Park appears to be a thoughtful and promising step forward, incorporating lessons from past critiques to create a development that balances design, environmental stewardship, and community connection.

Funding has nonetheless been a persistent challenge for the Trinity River development. During the 1990s, the project struggled to secure sufficient financial backing, which led to delays, scaled-back ambitions, and skepticism about whether the grand visions for the river could ever be realized. Dillon was critical of the financial feasibility of such large-scale projects, warning that without stable and transparent funding, the Trinity River development risked becoming an unfinished or compromised endeavor. This concern remains relevant in 2024, as Harold Simmons Park and other related initiatives continue to navigate complex financial landscapes. Despite philanthropic contributions, like the significant donation from the Harold Simmons Foundation, questions about long-term funding for maintenance, ongoing improvements, and the integration of necessary infrastructure persist. The reliance on public-private partnerships, although proven to be a viable strategy in Dallas by such cases as Klyde Warren Park, is still vulnerable to uncertainty surrounding future economic conditions. In the end, the success of the Trinity River development hinges not only on visionary planning but also on securing reliable financial support.