On Saturday, March 21, 2015, Senator Royce West hosted an “Eggs & Issues” informational meeting and breakfast at The University of North Texas-Dallas. Paul, now Heritage Oak Cliff’s VP of Neighborhood Development, decided to attend. It was here where he learned about two transportation initiatives: the Trinity Parkway, a planned toll road through the Trinity River levees and the Southern Gateway Project that will add capacity and redesign sections of I-35E and U.S. Highway 67. In other words, the construction of an even bigger highway through the middle of Oak Cliff; and further separation.
Unsurprisingly to Paul, The Trinity Parkway garnered the most attention. But as the meeting continued, he and others from Oak Cliff–such as Katherine Homan of Kessler Park–voiced their concern with The Southern Gateway project designs. Katherine and Paul brought up the idea of a deck while others chimed in ideas like trenching it and using sound walls. “Despite our differences, we were united in our opposition,” he said.
Towards the end of this meeting, the representative told Paul and others that if they didn’t like this design, they should come up with a better one. What was perhaps a moment of frustration actually led to inspiration. “Whether he expected anyone to take that seriously or not, I have no idea,” Paul said with a smile.
Now was the opportunity to cover up this highway scar with something beautiful – and to reconnect what was lost. But how? Paul knew finance, not architectural design. And while this new Southern Gateway deck idea was gaining traction and even committed government funds, it was still just an idea on powerpoint slides.