Signature Bridges
Everyone can help build this dream
The Dallas Morning News
March 8, 2001
Estimated printed pages: 2

Will it be plain vanilla or a city signature?
Time is running out on a decision whether to proceed with design work on the first of a series of suspended bridges over the Trinity River.

The drawings submitted by noted Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava of his futuristic bridges spanning the Trinity generated excitement wherever they have been shown.

But they have not generated the private funding the city will need if it intends to make the Woodall Rodgers Freeway extension the first of the signature bridges.

This is the month Dallas officials are supposed to tell the Texas Transportation Department whether the bridge will follow the state's traditional plain vanilla design or soar under the talented touch of Mr. Calatrava. There is no doubt what the answer should be.

And yet Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and city officials are not hearing the response they expected from the private sector. Despite serious fund-raising efforts, $2.7 million still is needed to finance final designs for the bridge.

The city has committed $1.2 million in public arts funds for the bridge design and an anonymous donor chipped in another $2 million in 1999. But the final piece of the funding puzzle has been hard to locate.

Last month, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban showed a strong interest in paying for a portion of the design work for the suspension bridge. With the new American Airlines Center less than a mile away from the proposed bridge, it would make sense for all team owners and developers at the arena site to participate in this project.

Mr. Calatrava's graceful suspension bridge would be a huge asset for the arena and Victory development that will surround it.

But it is puzzling that no one has stepped forward to complete this critical part of the Trinity Plan. Other Texas cities have had champions who stood up and were counted when a call for strong civic support was made.

Dallas needs to have those champions now. The decisions made about the Calatrava bridges will affect this city for generations to come.

Anyone can help build the bridges and everyone should. The Dallas Foundation has agreed to take donations through a special Signature Bridges Fund. You can contact the foundation at 214-741-9898 or at 900 Jackson St., Suite 150, Dallas, Texas 75202. In the years to come, millions of Dallas residents and visitors will be thankful you did.
Edition:  THIRD
Section:  EDITORIALS
Page:  16A
Column:  EDITORIALS
Copyright 2001 The Dallas Morning News
Record Number:  4243264