Potential DART Line Leaves Downtown Buildings on Endangered List

A second proposed rail line through downtown Dallas has neighbors worried that several historic buildings may be at risk.

The group Preserve Dallas released their 2016 Endangered Historic Buildings List this week that adds several locations along the proposed Dallas Area Rapid Transit D2 line.

The list includes the Aloft Hotel, SoCo Lofts, Lone Star Gas Lofts, Statler Hilton, Continental Building, First Presbyterian Church, Scottish Rite Temple and Knights of Pythias building among others in the area.

The group is worried that construction of the line could lead to partial or total demolitions on some of the buildings as well as damage from vibrations and noise.

"These will impact the use of these buildings,” said Preserve Dallas Executive Director David Preiosi. “There have been over $350 million in investments in historic buildings along this line."

Preserve Dallas is pushing for a subway-style design for the line, which would avoid the buildings but carry a much higher cost.

The DART board of directors approved their $976 million 2017 budget Tuesday, which includes $25 million for the proposed Cotton Belt rail from D/FW International Airport to Plano and $3.5 million for the D2 line.

The project does still require further action by the group and the city before it would become a reality.

The list also includes other buildings throughout Dallas including several at Fair Park, the Elbow Room in the Baylor District, the Penson House in Highland Park, the Polar Bear in Oak Cliff and the Williams House in University Park.

Each of the listings are in areas likely to see construction or eminent domain situations, and the group hopes by adding the buildings to the list, the properties will receive more advocacy and attention as the projects move forward.