UCPID Spring Cleaning

One of the four tenets the UCPID is committed to is making improvements in the University Crossing neighbohood. To continue to improve the neighborhood and attract new development, we are constantly in motion seeking opportunities to improve and clean up our area. 

A few weeks ago, we worked with the City of Dallas to identify and clean up a homeless encampment located on the Katy Trail extension in University Crossing. We followed City procedures as directed by Homeless Services and ensured there was a safe place to go. 

Following the removal of debris, we were able to clean up and ensure the area was safe for walkers, runners and bikers on the trail. Let us know if you see any more areas that need clean up and improvements! If you see something, say something - info@universitycrossing.com.

March Updates from the UCPID Executive Director

Greetings to the University Crossing community!  February was a busy month in University Crossing, and as such, there are some updates I would like to share:
 
As previously noted, the University Crossing Public Improvement District ("UCPID") contracted with the City of Dallas to provide additional safety improvements for our area. Specifically, the City of Dallas has upgraded many of the pedestrian signal heads to include "Count Down Timers", which will give pedestrians the ability to gauge their time to cross intersections.  Additionally, the City of Dallas has upgraded pedestrian push buttons to make it easier to cross intersections. Many intersections, along both Mockingbird Lane and Greenville Avenue, now have these upgrades. These upgrades combined will provide additional safety features for pedestrians and cyclists throughout our area. 

 

Regarding construction of the University Crossing Bridge ("Bridge"), the City of Dallas and the UCPID are in close contact regarding the status of construction. For up-to-date information related to the Bridge construction, lane closures, or to view the time lapse photos of the construction, you can visit our website at: www.universitycrossingbridge.com.

 

Additionally, thanks to a collaboration between the UCPID, the City of Dallas Crisis Intervention, the Central Police Division, and City of Dallas Park & Recreation, two homeless encampments were recently removed from an area near the Katy Trail extension. Prior to their removal, Crisis Intervention visited these locations to offer assistance to anyone seeking shelter or additional services. The UCPID appreciates this collaboration and believes it has contributed to a cleaner and safer environment for our community.

 

Furthermore, another effective collaboration occurred at the request of the UCPID, when TXDOT installed new traffic signs along NBFR 75, near Mockingbird Lane. The UCPID met with representatives from TXDOT and informed them of our concerns regarding speeding along this portion of NBFR 75. In response, TXDOT installed new traffic signs to help curtail speeding in this area. The UCPID appreciates this collaboration and is also looking into other improvements to help increase safety at the intersection of US 75 and Mockingbird Lane.

 

Finally, I want to encourage you to take part in some of our ongoing programs such as the Music on Mockingbird program. The UCPID sponsors live music every Friday morning, from 8:00-9:00am in front of the Angelika Theater, near the Mockingbird Station DART stop. We also encourage you to take advantage of our Lunch & Learn program, where a Dallas Police officer can visit your place of business and offer "best practices" related to calling 911, motor vehicle safety, and more. If you are interested in scheduling a Lunch & Learn at your property, please contact us at the email below.

 

If you have any suggestions or would like more information about one of the programs described above, please email us at: info@universitycrossing.com. 

 

Thank you for your support, and I look forward to your continued collaboration!
 

 

Patrick Sanders
UCPID Executive Director

Dallas St. Patrick's Parade and Festival - March 11

Today, at 10:00am at Comerica Bank (Greenvile Ave. and Lovers Lane), the Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (GAABA) will be hosting a public press conference and open house to officially announce Chief David O. Owens as the Grand Marshal for the 2017 Parade and Festival.

All are welcome to attend the press conference and open house to learn more about the parade and festival and receive updates on the parade map and schedule for this year.

See the Media Advisory from the Dallas St. Patrick's Parade and Festival:

Dallas Mavs St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival presented by the Dallas Mavericks

Press Conference

 Former Dallas Chief of Police Brown will be Announced as

 2017 Grand Marshal!

 The Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (GAABA) will host its annual press conference for the 2017 Dallas Mavs St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival presented by the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, March 9, at 10 a.m.  The event will take place at Comerica Bank’s Greenville & Lovers Banking Center (the old Blockbuster location). New to 2017, Comerica Bank is serving as “Official Bank” of the Parade.  The 2017 Grand Marshal, Former Dallas Chief of Police David O. Brown, will be declared to the rapt audience of Dallas-area dignitaries, Greenville Avenue Business Owners, Professional Bagpipers, Dallas Mavericks Cheerleaders and 2017 Parade Premier Sponsor Representatives.  The Dallas Mavs St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival is celebrating its 38th year of being a time honored Dallas tradition for thousands to enjoy family friendly pageantry against the backdrop of food, spirits and community.   It is the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Southwest. 

WHEN/WHERE:

Thursday, March 9, 2017

10:00am - Press Conference

10:00am-Noon Open House

Comerica Bank’s Greenville & Lovers Banking Center

5302 Greenville Ave.

Dallas, TX 75206

 

WHO:

Grand Marshal, Retired Dallas Chief of Police David O. Brown

Kevin Vela, Chairman of the Board GAABA

Peter Sefzik, Texas Market President, Comerica Bank

Dallas Council Member, Philip T. Kingston, City Council District 1

Representative(s) from the Dallas Mavericks, DART, City of Dallas Office of Special Events, Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau and Dallas Police, Fire and Rescue, invited. 

 BACKGROUND:

The Dallas Mavs St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival has grown to be one of the largest St. Patrick's Parades in the country, with over 125,000 attendees and more than 100 parade entries.  Proceeds benefit the GAABA Scholarship Funds benefiting Dallas ISD Seniors.  More than $100,500 in scholarships has been awarded.  More information can be found at http://www.dallasstpatricksparade.com, on Twitter @DallasStPats or Facebook at DallasStPatricksParade.  The Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (GAABA) was formed in 1987 to help unify area business and promote the Greenville Avenue area. Its first objective is and always will be the presentation of the annual Dallas Mavs St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival.

About Comerica:

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $73 billion at December 31, 2016. To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/Comerica. Follow us on Twitter at @ComericaCares.

 About the Dallas Mavericks:

The Dallas Mavericks play in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and began as an expansion franchise in 1980.   The Mavs have won three division titles (1987, 2007, and 2010) two conference championships (2006, 2011) and under the leadership of owner Mark Cuban, Head of Basketball Operations/GM Donnie Nelson and Head Coach Rick Carlisle, the team won its first NBA Championship in 2011.  In addition to on-court success, the Mavs are committed to making a difference in North Texas through outreach programs and the Dallas Mavericks Foundation. For more information on Dallas Mavericks players, staff, stats and tickets, please visit mavs.com.

 

A Note from the Executive Director

Greetings to the University Crossing community! January was a busy month in University Crossing, and as such, there are some updates I would like to share:
 
As noted last month, the University Crossing Public Improvement District (UCPID) contracted with the City of Dallas to provide additional safety improvements to our area.  Specifically, the City of Dallas will upgrade many of the pedestrian signal heads to include "count down timers," which will help pedestrians to gauge the time it will take to cross intersections. Additionally, the City of Dallas will upgrade pedestrian push buttons to make it more accessible to cross intersections. These upgrades will provide additional safety for pedestrians and cyclists throughout our area.  Installation should begin in February, and we are pushing to have this completed by the end of the month.

 

In addition to safety improvements, the UCPID executed a contract to install trash receptacles at the US75 overpasses along Mockingbird Lane, SMU Blvd., and University Blvd. Once the receptacles are installed, trash will be emptied once a week. We hope to have installation complete within the next four to five weeks.

 

Regarding construction of the University Crossing Bridge ("Bridge"), the City of Dallas has indicated that during the month of February there will likely be lane closures along Mockingbird Lane to accommodate continued construction. As soon as the UCPID receives information on the times and dates of the lane closures, we will update our website. In addition, the UCPID has installed a camera, which takes time lapse photos of the Bridge construction. For up-to-date information related to the Bridge construction, lane closures, or to view the time lapse photos, please visit our website at:  www.universitycrossingbridge.com.

 

After a holiday hiatus, Music on Mockingbird returned in January and will continue through the spring. The UCPID sponsors the live music taking place every Friday morning from 8:00-9:00am, in front of the Angelika Theater near the Mockingbird DART Station. Musicians will perform a variety of musical genres for the public once a week. We hope you will come out and enjoy the music!

 

Also in January, the UCPID began a Lunch & Learn program, which is focused on public safety. The UCPID collaborated with local businesses to have a Dallas Police officer visit their locations and discuss "best practices" related to calling 911, motor-vehicle safety, homeless concerns, and more. If you are interested in having a Lunch & Learn at your property, please contact us at the email below.

 

Going forward, the UCPID will continue to work on capital improvements for the area, as well as new programming ideas. If you have any questions or would like more information about one of the programs described above, please email us at: info@universitycrossing.com.

 

Thank you for your support! I look forward to working with you throughout 2017.
 

 

Patrick Sanders
UCPID Executive Director

The Latest From Mockingbird Station

From Mockingbird Station "What's Next"

We’re taking this whole “New Year, New You” thing seriously. Exciting changes are coming to Mockingbird Station in 2017 that will give you new ways to experience old favorites and find new obsessions along the way.

Two new restaurant concepts will open their first-ever locations at Mockingbird Station this year. Mezze Mediterranean Kuzine will open by summer and will feature fresh flavorful Mediterranean fare. Edith’s Patisserie is bringing classic French pastry techniques to the Station and plans to be open by summer.

The Katy Trail expansion and Mockingbird pedestrian bridge are underway. The bridge will allow pedestrian traffic to cross over Mockingbird Lane between the DART rail stop at Mockingbird Station and the south side of Mockingbird Lane, just east of Central Expressway. The project is currently planned to be nearly complete by the end of April.

Mockingbird Station has already begun a transformation with new signage and a new look, which will continue in 2017. New green space and updated storefronts are on the horizon as the next phase of updates begins.

Spotlight on SMU Tate Lecture Series

SMU TATE LECTURE SERIES: ANGELA DUCKWORTH

The Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series invites stimulating and entertaining icons to the SMU campus, where the audience can engage in enlightening discussions with world-changing entrepreneurs. This year marks the 35th season of the Tate Lecture Series at Southern Methodist University. 

The series upcoming speaker, Angela Duckworth, will educate the Dallas community on the character trait of "grit" attributed to top performers. The professor and psychologist is an expert on the topic and a New York Times best-selling author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. 

January 31, 2017 at 7:00pm

McFarlin Auditorium

 

 

A Note from The Executive Director

A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

 

Happy New Year to the University Crossing community! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season. December was a busy month in University Crossing, and as such, there are some updates I would like to share:
 
During the past month, the University Crossing Public Improvement District worked with the City of Dallas to provide safety improvements for our area. Specifically, the City of Dallas will upgrade many of the pedestrian signal heads to include "Count Down Timers," which will allow pedestrians to better gauge their time to cross intersections. Additionally, the City of Dallas will upgrade pedestrian push buttons to make crossing easier. Together these upgrades will provide safety features for pedestrians and cyclists throughout our area.

 

Regarding construction of the University Crossing Bridge, the City of Dallas has indicated there will likely be lane closures along Mockingbird Lane to accommodate continued construction within the next month. As soon as the UCPID receives information on the times and dates of lane closures, we will update our website at: www.universitycrossingbridge.com.

 

In addition to capital improvements, the UCPID enjoyed a live holiday music performance last month. The UCPID worked in collaboration with SMU, Bridge the Gap, and Mockingbird Station to bring you the Holiday Music program. On December 10th, musicians form SMU's Meadows School performed at Mockingbird Station and helped bring some holiday cheer to the area. To catch a glimpse of the performance, visit our website at: www.universitycrossing.com and click the UC Spotlight link. Returning on January 27th, we will continue the musical collaboration program, Music on Mockingbird, every Friday morning from 8-9am in front of the Angelika Theater near the Mockingbird DART Station. We hope you will come out and enjoy the music!

 

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the dedication of the Dallas Police Officers who work in the UCPID's Extended Neighborhood Patrol. These officers are working closely with community stakeholders to make our area safe. Last month demonstrated their valiant efforts with a couple of quality arrests. A "tip of the hat" to our ENP officers for a job well done!

 

In the New Year, the UCPID will continue to work on capital improvements for the area and new programming ideas. Some of our improvements will focus on maintenance issues, such as providing additional trash receptacles at strategic locations in our area. Other projects will focus on capital improvements, along both Mockingbird Lane and Greenville Avenue. As these projects develop, we will keep you informed. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please email us at:  info@universitycrossing.com.

 

Happy New Year! I look forward to working with you in 2017.

 

 

Patrick Sanders
UCPID Executive Director

A Note from the Executive Director

Greetings to the University Crossing community. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday! November was a busy month in University Crossing, and as such, there are some updates I would like to share:

 
The University Crossing Public Improvement District (UCPID) has contacted various vendors in an effort to provide improvements for our area. We are exploring additional improvements along Mockingbird Lane, more trash receptacles at strategic locations in our area, additional safety features at intersections, and a possible public mural. Once we have all necessary cost estimates we will update the community.

 

As noted last month, the UCPID is working in collaboration with SMU, Bridge the Gap, and Mockingbird Station to bring you Music on Mockingbird. Every Friday morning from 7:30-8:30am, musicians will perform different genres of music in front of the Angelika Theater near the Mockingbird DART Station. In addition to our regularly scheduled program, our collaboration is happy to bring you a Holiday Music program.  On November 25th, musicians from SMU performed holiday music at Mockingbird Station and on December 10th, these musicians will reprise their performance. To that end, we hope you will come out at 7pm to enjoy the music at Mockingbird Station in the communal area near the Urban Outfitters store.

 

Additionally, UCPID community stakeholders met with staff from the City of Dallas to discuss construction of the University Crossing Bridge ("Bridge"). City staff explained that within the next month there will likely be lane closures along Mockingbird Lane to accommodate construction. We will update our website as soon as we receive information about the potential lane closures. For up-to-date information related to the Bridge construction, you can visit our website at: www.universitycrossingbridge.com.

 

Finally, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the police officers that work in the UCPID's Expanded Neighborhood Patrol Program ("ENP"). For those of you who are not familiar with the ENP Program, the UCPID pays off-duty Dallas Police Officers to patrol our community. Each month these officers provide extra security for our area, and the month of November was no exception. The officers working in our ENP Program have shown themselves to be conscientious and pro-active, and I wanted to publicly acknowledge their service. A "tip of the hat" to the men and women in blue.

 

The University Crossing community is diverse and dynamic, and I believe the interplay between our dynamism and diversity makes us special. It has been a pleasure working with such a special community this year, and I look forward to what 2017 holds! In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments please email us at:  info@universitycrossing.com.

 

Happy Holidays! I look forward to working with you in the new year.

 

Patrick Sanders
UCPID Executive Director

A Note from the Executive Director

Greetings to the University Crossing community! I hope everyone enjoyed their summer. 

August was a busy month in University Crossing, and as such, there are some exciting developments I wanted to make you aware of: 

I am happy to report that, as part of an agreement with the City of Dallas, a contractor hired by the University Crossing Public Improvement District (UCPID) removed the shrubs and bushes that had overgrown the medians along Mockingbird Lane, between NBFR 75 and Matilda. Removing this shrubbery will improve visibility, which, in turn, will improve pedestrian and vehicle safety.

In addition to clearing these medians, the UCPID plans to execute a maintenance agreement along Mockingbird Lane so that the medians, as well as, some of the adjacent sidewalks will be cleaned of trash and debris.

Also, in August, the UCPID had Pet Waste Stations installed at Glencoe Park. In all, five Pet Waste Stations were installed strategically around the park. We also purchased a sixth station which we plan to install once the new University Crossing Bridge and Katy Trail extension are complete. We hope these stations will add to your enjoyment of the park!

In addition to capital improvements in our area, our community also got to experience a live musical performance from the musicians at the School of Rock Dallas. Working in collaboration with the School of Rock Dallas, the UCPID and Mockingbird Station were proud to bring you a live performance that really...rocked! Going forward, the UCPID hopes to collaborate with other community stakeholders to promote the arts in our area, so stay tuned for other exciting initiatives coming your way.

Don't forget, as work continues on the pedestrian bridge that will cross Mockingbird Lane and extend the Katy Trail, the UCPID is working closely with the City of Dallas to provide up-to-date information on Bridge construction as well as lane closures. To get the latest information, visit our website at: www.universitycrossingbridge.com.

Finally, as noted last month, the UCPID obtained a Master Plan for a streetscape and design study, which focuses on improvements for the Greenville Avenue corridor as well as the new Katy Trail extension. This Master Plan, combined with another study completed earlier in the year, will provide a framework for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout our area. To that end, the UCPID is looking forward to working with the City of Dallas and other relevant agencies to implement these proposals.

In the meantime, if you have suggestions, please email info@universitycrossing.com.

Happy September! 

Patrick Sanders 

UCPID Executive Director

A Note from the Executive Director

Greetings to the University Crossing community! 

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer, including all the amenities our community has to offer.

Our University Crossing community is a dynamic and vibrant area, and as such, there are some exciting developments I wanted to make you aware of: To begin, work continues on the pedestrian bridge that will cross Mockingbird Lane, and extend the Katy Trail (the Bridge). The University Crossing Public Improvement District (UCPID) is working closely with the City of Dallas to provide up-to-date information on Bridge construction, as well as, lane closures.

Since my "Note" last month, we have added new links to our website. Now, you can find a Schedule of Work, that provides in-depth information about the construction, a Rendering of the Bridge, and photos showing Bridge Fabrication Underway. To get the latest information, visit our website at: www.universitycrossingbridge.com.

Also, the UCPID has entered into an agreement with the City of Dallas to improve and maintain the medians along Mockingbird Lane, between NBFR 75 and Matilda. As soon as their schedule permits, the UCPID's contractor will remove the shrubs and bushes, which currently grow in these medians. Removing this shrubbery will improve visibility, which in turn will improve pedestrian and vehicle safety.

Next, the UCPID has obtained a Master Plan, for a streetscape and design study, which focuses on improvements for the Greenville Avenue corridor, as well as, the new Katy Trail extension. We aim to use this Master Plan to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, along Greenville, as well as, improve infrastructure such as sidewalks and intersections.

Finally, the UCPID encourages the promotion of the arts, throughout our community, and welcomes the chance to partner with stake holders in our area. Presently, we are working with Mockingbird Station and the School of Rock Dallas to bring live music to our community. We hope to announce details soon!

Stay tuned next month where we hope to provide you updates on improvements in Glencoe Park, as well as, the other projects mentioned above.

In the meantime, if you have suggestions, please email info@universitycrossing.com.

Happy August! 

 

Patrick Sanders 

UCPID Executive Director

Spotlight On...

The Atwood and The Ellison

The Ellison, coming to University Crossing in 2017

The Ellison, coming to University Crossing in 2017

The Atwood, units available for rent in University Crossing by the end of 2016

The Atwood, units available for rent in University Crossing by the end of 2016

What is unique about The Atwood and The Ellison?
The Atwood and The Ellison will feature modern craftsman architecture and high-end finishes. The two properties will offer the incredible and desirable features of a home in a rent-able, multifamily setting. Private yards, rooftop decks, direct-access garages, spectacular downtown views and fitness centers are just a few of the amenities available at these sister properties.

Why did you choose to build in University Crossing?  
University Crossing is the perfect site for these homes. The area offers primes dining, an array of shops, several key business centers and is in close proximity to Southern Methodist University. University Crossing's central location between Eat Dallas, Uptown and the Park Cities provides a quick commute to other desirable areas in Dallas whether taking the DART rail or traveling via US-75.  

Is there anything else that University Crossing should know about The Atwood and The Ellison?
The Atwood and The Ellison are currently under construction, but will be coming to University Crossing soon. The Atwood is slated to have units available by the end of this year, and units at The Ellison will be available in 2017.  

 

A Note from the Executive Director

Greetings to the University Crossing Community!


As the new Executive Director for the University Crossing Public Improvement District (UCPID), it is my privilege to serve this community.

With summer in full swing, I hope everyone is able to enjoy all the amenities our community has to offer including wonderful restaurants, entertainment, shopping and access to Glencoe Park.

Also, we have several exciting developments in our community I wanted to make you aware of.

First, I am excited to report that construction has begun on the pedestrian bridge that will cross Mockingbird Lane and extend the Katy Trail. Construction has started on the south side of Mockingbird Lane, just east of the Highland Hotel as well as on the north side of Mockingbird Lane, just east of Mockingbird Station.

The UCPID is working closely with the City of Dallas to provide up-to-date information on bridge construction as well as lane closures. To get the latest information, visit our website at: www.universitycrossingbridge.com.

Next, the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) has recently completed a pedestrian and bicycle safety study of our area, with particular focus on Mockingbird Lane and NBFR 75. This study provides numerous recommendations to improve the safety of our community, and the UCPID we will be working closely with all relevant agencies to implement these recommendations.

Finally, the UCPID has commissioned its own pedestrian and bicycle study, which focuses on the Greenville Avenue corridor as well as the new Katy Trail extension. Once this study is complete, we plan to use the recommendations to make the Greenville Avenue corridor safer for both pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Stay tuned next month where we hope to provide you updates on plans for the Mockingbird Lane medians as well as updates on the projects mentioned above.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email info@universitycrossing.com. Happy July!


Patrick Sanders
UCPID Executive Director

 

Spotlight On...

Pollo Tropical

Pollo Tropical on Greenville

Pollo Tropical on Greenville

Where is Pollo Tropical?
Pollo Tropical has locations all over - the Southern United States, Central America, the Caribbean and even a few in South America - but the University Crossing location is found at 4622 Greenville Avenue.

When did the restaurant open?  
The University Crossing location opened in the fall of 2015. The first Pollo Tropical store opened in 1988 in Miami and has spread to more than 150 locations.

What are some of the unique qualities of Pollo Tropical?
Pollo Tropical is one of the few Carribbean-cuisine restaurant chains in the nation. Their commitment to fresh quality food extends all the way to chickens that are free of hormones and trans-fats.

Pollo Tropical also offers catering for any size group for delicious flavor, fresh feasting and instant happiness.

What's on the menu?
Chicken is the classic choice, but there are also: Caribbean ribs, mojo pork, calypso beefs, soups, salads and an array of adventurous sides - tastiness, Carribbean corn soufflé and fried yucca - are just a few of the items on the menu.

A Note from the Executive Director

So. Many. Things. In. April!

University Crossing is bustling with activity in April! The Angelika Mockingbird Station and The Highland Dallas are hosting the Dallas International Film Festival #DIFF2016, SMU is hosting a Community Day, and Central Market is launching Passport Mexico with authentic Mexican cuisine and cooking classes. 

We are also in the midst of street repairs on Mockingbird, which should be wrapped up by the end of the month, barring any additional rain. 

The UCPID board met on April 5, and we are moving forward on creating a master landscape and improvement plan to present to the City of Dallas in preparation for the 2017 bond. We have also ordered pet waste stations for Glencoe Park and are working to clean up the park for the various team games and practices that take place there. Further, we are working with the city's Parks and Rec Department to discuss improvements and plans for the Mockingbird bridge and trail as construction commences late this spring or early summer. 

We continue to take UCPID security very seriously and remain engaged with a dedicated Extra Neighborhood Patrol seven days a week. Several UCPID businesses have installed their Hide.Lock.Take. signs and that is helping to keep motor vehicle burglaries down and raise awareness in University Crossing. 

I would also encourage you to try THREE new things in University Crossing this month, you won't regret it! 

  1. A yummy cheese empanada from Pollo Tropical located at 4622 Greenville Avenue.
  2. Take in a softball game at Glencoe Park on Thursday nights - you might be surprised by who you see on the roster!
  3. Book a cooking class to learn how to make authentic Mexican appetizers at Central Market.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email info@universitycrossing.com. 

Have an awesome April! 

Ginger Greenberg

UCPID Executive Director

Spotlight on...Stonewall Jackson

With Site-Based Decision Making Committee Co-Chair, Chris Peterson...

  • Quick Facts and Contacts

  • Grade Levels: K-5

  • Enrollment: 615 students

  • Feeder Pattern: Woodrow Wilson High School

  • School Colors: Blue and white

  • Mascot: Stars

  • Principal: Melanie Schiff

  • Assistant Principal: Deranda Scudder

  • Site-Based Decision Making Committee Co-Chairs: Chris Peters and Beth Temperley

  • PTA President: Sara Hundley

  • Dads' Club President: Matt Johnson

  • Stonewall Gardens President: Kari Myers

Why do parents choose to send their children to Stonewall Jackson Elementary?

Many people choose to live in our neighborhoods due to the strong sense of community at Stonewall Jackson. Parents are drawn to Stonewall Jackson due to several factors including the school's academic reputation, strong faculty, parent involvement and special programs, such as the Deaf Education and Dual Language programs. 

What activities are offered to students and what are the benefits? 

Every student spends part of their science studies each week in Stonewall Gardens, our 20,000-square-foot science lab. For students in the Deaf Education and Dual Language programs, there is the opportunity to learn American Sign Language and Spanish, respectively. Most Thursday mornings before school starts, you will find the Dads' Club working with every grade at Math Club. In addition to field trips to many local cultural organizations, Stonewall Jackson has a Carnival in the fall and a Field Day in the spring. There are many youth sports teams comprised of Stonewall Jackson students that are coached by their parents. Our 5th graders have been enthusiastically learning ballroom dancing, a rite of passage every spring, thanks to the efforts of our PTA. 

Have any of the teachers and/or faculty at Stonewall Jackson stood out by going above and beyond? 

Stonewall Jackson Elementary has outstanding faculty, many of whom have been recognized by Dallas ISD over the years. The faculty is one of the major draws of our school. Annually, Stonewall Jackson recognizes excellence with a Teacher of the Year award. 

Tell us a little bit about Stonewall Gardens.

Every student spends part of their science studies each week in Stonewall Gardens, our 20,000-square-foot science lab. Every student plants several crops each year and also learns about eco-systems in Wildscape. Our garden was established in 1988 and has grown into one of the largest school-based gardens you can find and is visited by many school/organizations who are planning to start their own. For more information, you may visit their website. Visitors may organize tours through Kari Myers, President. The garden is funded through Stonewall Gardens, a parent-run 501(c)(3). There are opportunities to support our students and staff by donating to Stonewall Gardens. 

Is there anything else that University Crossing should know about Stonewall Jackson? 

There are ample opportunities to connect Stonewall Jackson Elementary and University Crossing. For University Crossing members, we can always use volunteers. There are also sponsorship opportunities at many of our fundraisers as well as opportunities to host a "Stonewall Night" at neighborhood restaurants. These opportunities will strengthen the relationship between the Stonewall Jackson community and University Crossing businesses. 

When your family is not at Stonewall Jackson, where do they like to spend their time? 

For the Peters family, we head to the Angelika for movies and we like to stop by Ozana after soccer games. 

A Note from the Executive Director

Spring is in bloom in the University Crossing Public Improvement District! We hope you are out and about enjoying the mild weather and the wonderful restaurants, entertainment, shopping and dining there is to offer in the UCPID.
 
We have several upcoming public events in the PID thatI wanted to make you aware of.
 
First, Happy St. Patrick's Day on March 17! University Crossing is home to Dallas' largest St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival. The parade will be rolling through Greenville Avenue on Saturday, March 19 and there will be fun for all ages. Please check here to make sure you are aware of any lane closures or delays. Have fun! Be safe! And, if you SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING.
 
Next, the TouchDown Club will be hosting its 3rd Rib and Appetizer Cookoff benefitting the RISE School of Dallas on Saturday, April 2 in the Energy Square parking lot. Good food, live music and prize money for the best ribs and appetizers - what more could you want for a Saturday? The event kicks off at 10am and wraps up at 6pm.
 
I also wanted to welcome four new board members to the UCPID. All four were elected to the board and will be serving a three-year term. They are:
 
Brent Halvorson - The Marquis Group
Matt McGeath - GlenStar
Larry Walton - The Highland Residences
Richard Kessler - CBRE, Mockingbird Station
 
Welcome to the UCPID Board and thank you for your interest and service. Approved meeting minutes and security updates are available at www.universitycrossing.com.
 
Finally, we have been working to manage the pet waste problem in Glencoe Park. We have partnered with Dallas Park and Rec to add six pet waste stations to the loop trail and will work with Park and Rec to make Glencoe Park more enjoyable for all. FYI - if you would like to register a practice or an event at Glencoe Park, please visit their website here.
 
Stay tuned next month for an update on landscaping for the Mockingbird Lane medians and pedestrian bridge construction. You may have seen several barricades and preliminary work started - we will work to keep you informed and up to date on progress.
 
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email info@universitycrossing.com.
 
Happy March!  
 
Ginger Greenberg
UCPID Executive Director

Spotlight On

Mockingbird Central Plaza
with Senior Property Manager Kris Schuster. . .

Where is Mockingbird Central Plaza?  
Mockingbird Central Plaza is located at 5400 E. Mockingbird Lane at the southwest corner of McMillan and Mockingbird. It is just east of The Highland and the Katy Trail.

Which businesses are located there?
Mockingbird Central Plaza features a variety of tenants. We have everything from restaurants like Jason's Deli and Burger King to retail like Whole Earth Provisions to recreational businesses such as Pocket Sandwich Theatre, GolfTec, Premiere Video and Keith's Comics to health-related businesses such as Sunstone Yoga, Private Workout, Run On!, Action Chiropractic and Monarch Dental.

The shopping center also includes the School of Contemporary Ballet Dallas, Dallas Tan, Daniel's Salon, Ross Love Insurance, EmbroidMe, Art Custom Tailor and The Mattress Firm. New to Mockingbird Central are Envy Nails and Experimac.

What are some of the unique features of Mockingbird Central Plaza?
The area offers a wide variety of neighborhood retail and service tenants that are vital to this area of town. We've just completed the overall paint project on the center and it looks fabulous!

What are a few things that University Crossing should know about Mockingbird Central Plaza?
The shopping center is located two blocks east of 75/Central Expressway, making us walking distance from SMU and the center is in a high traffic area.

SMU AQUATIC CENTER GROUNDBREAKING

University Crossing PID Members,
 
We wanted to notify you that SMU is hosting a major groundbreaking event for the new aquatics center on Friday, February 26th, in the open area immediately south of SMU Boulevard and west of the DART tracks.
 
A significant turnout is expected, resulting in increased traffic activity on and around SMU Boulevard between 11:15am - 1pm. Guests have been instructed to valet park at the event site, self-park at Everest College or walk from the main campus to alleviate traffic concerns.
 
With these parking options, we don't anticipate that our friends and neighbors in the University Crossing area should expect a disruption to their business, but as this is a very busy area we wanted to make sure you had advanced notice. Thank you for your cooperation and support as we continue to develop this vibrant area.
 
Best,
 
Ginger Greenberg
UCPID Executive Director
info@universitycrossing.com