Kinda sad (but true) sendup of the current state of the West End by the Observer …

Living End

I remember the West End being so much fun when I was young. I think I convinced Ian to go once or twice, and it was just…lame, very bland. The clubs used to be more lively, the mall itself used to have the coolest stores. The hologram store was my favorite. Outside street artists would paint these great sci-fi looking pieces.

Dallas really needs to turn itself around and become a thriving pedestrian city. Urban density needs to rise, along with cultural activities, parks, and entertainment/shopping districts that are designed to last, look nice, and encourage people to walk around and enjoy the area.

Places like the West End are where to start. I’m glad to see urban areas like Mockingbird Station, West Village, etc. But the city (and especially its suburbs) are just too far flung. Everyone driving their Canyonero. Hey, I live in the suburbs and drive 40 minutes to work…I’m part of the problem. Still, the focus should be on building pedestrian areas of entertainment, dining, shopping, culture, and parks connected by mass transit. Otherwise, the future for DFW is tons of concrete and isolated people driving miles and miles to one chain store/restaraunt after another.