It Ain’t Easy Being Green: Community Gardens and N. Central Landscaping

For about 10 minutes an hour ago, the city’s Web site was working — time enough to let me access the briefings for this afternoon’s meeting of the Transportation and Environment Committee, where you’ll find Schutze ’round 2 today. The site’s down yet again (which Frank Librio didn’t know till I just called, sigh), so let me summarize — because, at last, the council’s getting around to tossing around community gardens. (That link probably doesn’t work at present … unless you’re inside City Hall.) There are three options being proposed, with the leading contender a so-called “hyrid” that allow community gardens “by right” (or, without charge) everywhere but in so-called single-family and duplex districts, where it appears you’ll need to pony up $1,170 for a specific use permit. Did I read that right? That can’t be right. Jim will report back.

Also on the agenda, this golden oldie from way back: North Central Expressway Landscaping. You remember: The Texas Department of Transportation doesn’t have enough money to build roads, much less upkeep the greenery in the N. Central median between the High-Five and downtown. And, well, the contract with TxDOT’s up this month, and it’s time to decide: Keep doing what we’re doing and spend $750,000 annually for upkeep; plant native grasses that need less upkeep but will still run the city $300,000 annually to maintain; “do nothing” at a cost of nada and let it all wither and die; or go “hardscape” and build a screen or sculpture. That last options seems very … very … Dallas.

Update at 12:59 p.m.: Since the city’s Web site still isn’t working, Librio sent along the council briefings. They’re both after the jump.

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