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The iconic Alamo Plaza sign stood sentry over the corner of Fort Worth and Sylvan Avenue for nearly six decades. It remained there even after the roadside motel it identified was demolished to make way for the long-awaited Sylvan 30 development. Then, two weeks ago, it was removed.
The development’s representatives have said that it’s merely in storage and will return as soon as soon as they figure out what to do with it. But preservationists, as well as more casual fans of mid-century roadside motel architecture, are skeptical. Developer Brent Jackson had long promised the sign would stay put, according to Morning News‘ Roy Appleton. But there it went.
To ensure that the sign is returned to its rightful place on the side of the road, some concerned architectural enthusiasts have begun an effort to Save the Alamo Sign. Organizers were at the Oak Cliff Earth Day celebration over the weekend gathering signatures.
They’ve already garnered a solid amount of support, at least on its Facebook page, in the couple of days that’s been around. I have emails out to a couple of the group’s organizers to see if they have any plans beyond a petition. Until then, this is how they describe it on Facebook:
When news happens, Dallas Observer is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If the Dallas Observer matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
While this group is specifically focused on the Alamo Sign, we believe this is about the bigger issue of balancing history with new development in Dallas. In our opinion, the Alamo sign can and should be incorporated into the new development in a way that celebrates the history of the area, rather than covering it up.
We also have an email out to Cooper Smith Koch, who’s been serving as the spokesman for the Sylvan 30 development. For now, you’ll have to enjoy the sign in photographs.
