Oak Cliff History - 1981-90
Early History |1901-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 |
| 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | 81-90 | 91-2000 | 2001 -
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The 1980s saw the beginnings of a redevelopment of the Bishop Arts District, Davis Street, Hampton Road, and Fort Worth Avenue areas that would continue for the next few decades. At this time, there are still many hurdles to overcome. Many neighborhoods in North Oak Cliff continued to be littered with rental houses that were always in disrepair. However, a new brand of urban poineer mobved into the neighborhoods anyway. Oak Cliff was next to downtoen, and with gasoline prices soaring, it made since to live near work. In many of the North Oak Cliff neighborhoods organizations started or expanded, met with city officials, and tried to work out ways to improve the area. This included an increase in code enforcement and added incentives for bank financiing of renovations.
One action that brought a turnaround for Old Oak Cliff shopping came when Jim Lake began buying up
run-down buildings along Bishop Avenue in the mid-80s. His first tenants were
artists who came to join sculptor Stu Kraft and his wacky art studio. So many, in
fact, that Lake began referring to this as the “Bishop Arts District.” Before long, as
renovation costs spiraled upwards and the rent rose, a majority of the artists moved
out—but the name remained. Cooperation from the City of Dallas, favorablezoning
changes, bond money, and leadership by folks like Lake (the Jim Lake Co.)
and David Spence (Good Space) keep progress marching backwards to
restoration!
Early History |1901-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 |
| 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | 81-90 | 91-2000 | 2001 -