To the University Crossing community, I hope everyone is staying warm out there! January was a busy month in University Crossing, and as such, there are some updates I would like to share.
To begin, I would like to provide an update on the pedestrian bridge over Mockingbird Lane (Bridge). After the opening, the University Crossing Public Improvement District (UCPID), continues to stay in close contact with the City of Dallas (City) regarding Bridge maintenance. To that end, over the last week the City has now turned on the Bridge lighting. There is "up lighting" to illuminate the support beams and "down lighting" to illuminate the sidewalk below. The City also intends to install LED hand rails along the Bridge in the spring. This Bridge is not only an important connection to the Katy Trail, it also connects to the new University Crossing Trail, which runs north to SMU Boulevard., south to Glencoe Park and east across the DART line, to Skillman Avenue.
Additionally, as noted last month, the UCPID executed a contract with a bike-share company to install bike stations at strategic locations throughout our community. A Site Survey was conducted to ensure these stations are installed in the proper locations with the consent of the relevant property owners. The survey confirms the location of these stations as well as the type of station and the number of bikes available at each station. Unlike "Dockless Bikes," which are prevalent throughout our area, our bikes can only be left at a docking stations or a bike rack. We hope this bike network can help provide an alternative form of transportation to the citizens who live, work and visit our community. We expect the "roll out" to occur sometime this month.
The UCPID continues to partner with the Park & Rec. on the installation of pedestrian lighting along the University Crossing Trail, which runs through our community. To that end, the UCPID has obtained bids related to the cost of this project. Over the next few months, UCPID and Park & Rec. will use these bids to develop a funding program to install the light fixtures along this portion of the Katy Trail. The UCPID will provide updates as this program progresses.
Regarding programming opportunities, I want to encourage you to take part in some of the UCPID's ongoing programs. For example, with our Music on Mockingbird program, the UCPID sponsors live music every Friday evening at Mockingbird Station. We also encourage you to take advantage of our Lunch & Learn program, where a Dallas police officer can visit your place of business and offer "Best Practices" related to calling 911, motor vehicle safety and more. If you are interested in scheduling a Lunch & Learn at your property, please contact us at the email below. Furthermore, to supplement our Lunch & Learn program, the UCPID has developed a Resource Guide, which is free to all citizens. This guide is designed to provide "Helpful Hints" related to such topics as: when to call 911, crime watch tips, pedestrian & bicycle safety, and how to obtain a criminal trespass affidavit. Please let us know if you would like a copy of the Resource Guide for your home or business.
Finally, the UCPID plans to collaborate with City to identify public spaces for art. We will update you as the program develops.
Thank you for your support, and I look forward to our continued partnership.
Patrick Sanders
UCPID Executive Director