A Note from Patrick Sanders, UCPID Executive Director
February 2019
Welcome to 2019! We've been busy in University Crossing and I'd like to update you on our progress.
Even though it's been a cold and wet winter, we still see many people using the Mockingbird Pedestrian bridge to get out and about in the University Crossing area. From commuters to and from downtown, to SMU students making their way to White Rock Lake, to people using the bridge and trail during the day to get outside and grab some lunch. The Mockingbird Lane ("Bridge") continues to be a tremendous asset for the University Crossing community, and I hope everyone is enjoying it. The University Crossing Public Improvement District ("UCPID") stays in close contacts with the City of Dallas ("City") to ensure the bridge and trail is maintained and safe for your use. To that end, please contact us if you have any suggestions on how to improve the Bridge' experience, particularly as it relates to maintenance and security.
As noted last year, the UCPID Board of Directors approved funding of a Lighting Design Plan, used to install pedestrian lighting along the portion of the trail that runs through our community. The Design Plan is now largely complete, and the UCPID is working with key community stakeholders to finalize the design. The UCPID will provide updates as this project proceeds.
Speaking of the University Crossing Trail ("UCT"), the UCPID is working on developing new amenities for the UCT, including wayfinding signage. The "way-finders" signs will be installed at strategic locations along the trail. These signs will help pedestrians and cyclists identify their precise location along the trail, as well as, identify other key locations found along the UCT.
Furthermore, the UCPID is a new recipient of a public art sculpture that will be added to the UCT. Donated by a generous UCPID property owner, the piece will definitely be a statement and add visual appeal an culture to the UCT. a property owner in our community has graciously donated a sculpture, for use along the UCT. To help facilitate this donation, the UCPID is working with both the property owner and the City to identify a suitable location for the sculpture. We hope to unveil the location of the public art site this Spring.
Additionally, I encourage you to take part in some of the UCPID's ongoing programs. We would love you to join us for Music on Mockingbird. The UCPID, SMU Meadows School and Mockingbird Station sponsor live music every Saturday evening, at 6pm, at Mockingbird Station near the Angelika Theater.
We also encourage you to take advantage of our Lunch & Learn program, where a Dallas Police officer will 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 the community. We designed the guide 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. If you would like a copy of the Resource Guide, please let us know.
Finally, I encourage you to use the bike share program developed by Mockingbird Station and the UCPID. These bikes are free for the first three (3) hours of riding, and if you return the bike to any station in this network, before the three (3) hours is up, the clock will reset. Stations are located near: 1) the Highland Hotel (along the trial); 2) Mockingbird Station; 3) 6060 Building; 4) the Shelby (near Twisted Root); and the Meadows Building. For more information about where the stations are located and how to use these bikes, you can visit our landing page at: http://bike.zagster.com/mockingbirducpid/.
Thank you for your support, and if you have any suggestions on how to improve our community, I welcome your input.
Patrick Sanders
UCPID Executive Director
patrick@universitycrossing.com