Comments on: Deep Ellum’s Beat Doesn’t Exist

By: frank

frank — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:29:45 +0000

We’ve been having a great time now for two years in Deep Ellum running Kettle Art. Not long after we opened over a dozen other galleries have opened shortly thereafter. I’ve been involved w/ the area artistically since 1981 the bottom was hit and the resurgence is in full gear.

Amusing as it may sound approximately one year ago Wick Allison asked to be removed from our e-mail list to which I complied. The only reason he received anything was an attempt to keep him in the loop of what’s going on in this significant area of Dallas, but why bother?

By: david

david — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:37:23 +0000

Does Amsterdam Bar actually count as being in Deep Ellum? I always think of Exposition Park, Fall-out Lounge, Amsterdam, Bar of Soap, and Meridian Room being it’s own little neighborhood. The parking is easier, and it has a better vibe.

By: billh

billh — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:56:50 +0000

The beat does exist. While not as popular as the 90’s heyday, there is a lively and active community. Each and every bar that got a sup approval yesterday is a viable business with a good following. Are shows always packed? Sadly no, but last w/end Club Dada was full two nights. Friday, Kristi Kruger performed in memory of her brother, a colonel killed in Iraq. Next night local band Lovie performed their cd release party. The weekend before, the place was packed all day long for a benefit for Beard, the Dada doorman. there is Jazz at Amsterdam Bar, Doublewide has frequently packed shows with top notch music.

Lots to do. Hal Samples has a photo show, at Space Studio Tonight. Kettle Art has an opening tomorrow. I feel certain I’ll see lots of the people I’ve met over the last year there. We’ll have a good time. I wasn’t there in the 80’s. I had small kids then. So, I don’t compare it to anything.

By: John

John — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:36:54 +0000

I’ve been involved in Deep Ellum business for 17 years. It’s had several ups and several downs. My own sense is that we’re on our way out of the most recent down, but won’t quite get there for a while yet. We’ve had eras marked by skinheads and mohawks, punks and teens, cruising, street closures — you name it. Live music, bars and tattoo parlors have been constants, most of the restaurants have come and gone (save a few), and “retail” has been a moving target.

Too many folks wax nostalgic about whatever they perceive to have been the better days of Deep Ellum. Many of the clubs/bars in the past (late 80s, early-mid 90s) were operating on a shoestring, with only a passing interest in whether they were actually operating within the law (Sand Bar? Prophet Bar?). Others had grand ambitions (remember Moon Under Water?) but shaky (if any) financing. Many have come, most have gone.

My own problem with the SUP process is that it is damn near impossible to penetrate. You can search the City’s website for an hour or more and you will not find any coherent explanation of the SUPs, nor will you find any criteria identifying which businesses need them and which do not, nor will you find any standards by which SUP applications will be judged (because, as far as I can tell, there aren’t any). You can find a SUP application, but that’s about it.

I agree with the comment about the expense of putting the SUP application together. Most of the businesses in Deep Ellum are (and have almost always been) stand-alones – no chains, no big retail. The expense of putting together a compliant SUP application (if you can determine whether you need one or not) has got to be outrageous.

It also seems ridiculous to permit townhome/condo residents to move into a place next to a bar, complain that the bar is actually noisy at night (most are, or at least most successful ones are), and then have the bar shut down. Sort of like the folks who move next to the airport and then complain about the airplane noise.

By: Amanda Newman

Amanda Newman — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:22:29 +0000

ouch…

I guess the 100+ people at Dada last night didn’t get the memo.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:22:18 +0000

That’s twice in as many days that Wick’s arguments were called specious.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:18:21 +0000

Cut Wick some slack, he got one of his many tattoo’s on Main Street awhile back. Beneath that Republican facade is a bleeding heart, nose pierced, beatnik.

By: Tim Rogers

Tim Rogers — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:18:03 +0000

Hang on, Wick. You're not saying anything about the quality of the individual clubs that got their SUPs; you're just saying the city should have denied them. Or some of them. Because ... because why? Did you not enjoy yourself last time you went to Club Dada? It got its SUP. So did Amsterdam. And Double Wide. I'm old and have kids and can't say which clubs are good for Deep Ellum and which are bad. But I know a specious argument when I see it. By the way, congrats on making the List.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:16:38 +0000

Deep Ellum has been a shadow of its former self many times. In the end it has life. When the city allowed folks to live in the lofts they had made home, it came alive again. Clubs and entertainment swirled in with them. Bad times happened and then good times. In the end, the growing seed of residents continued unabated. The Sups have seemingly worked, allowing the new and longtime residents to speak out about the mix use of the area. It also allows interaction between the groups who call this home and work.
The original point of the city allowing the rebirth of Deep Ellum in the 80’s was all should be together (other than the Noxious use folks) and thats what it is.
New buildings and apartments and rail are part of it. I think all of us from the old days wanted it. The comparison people keep giving to the west village forgets that the MacKinney uptown area had few resident and lots of growth potential. Deep Ellum can use both to keep it a great place to live, work and play. I know, I see its possibility every day.

By: Tim W.

Tim W. — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:10:34 +0000

Jason makes a great point. My first expedition to Deep Ellum in 1992 was led by my best friend’s younger brother – the one with the Elmer’s-glued blue mohawk. I don’t see any reason why the various types of venues can’t thrive side-by with a little help of the type Sundance Square got – namely a cash infusion to make the public spaces sparkle, an omnipresent police force, and a big, free parking deck. The blueprint for success is just 30 miles away.