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Cisco Grill was alone in the southeast corner of Snider Plaza after the buildings that formerly housed Peggy Sue BBQ and other businesses before they moved elsewhere in the plaza were demolished earlier this year. A developer proses a new two-story building for
the site. (PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER, RENDERINGS: RICHMOND GROUP ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING)
CONSTRUCTION COSTS SHRINK SNIDER PLAZA PROJECT
Underground parking gone, building reduced to two stories
By Rachel Snyder
rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
The developer has abandoned plans for underground parking and reduced the scope of the building proposed for the southeast corner of Snider Plaza, where Peggy Sue BBQ used to be.
The new plan calls for a two-story building instead of three and nine new surface parking spaces behind the building as opposed to an underground parking garage.
The revised project is 17,640 square feet, about half the size of a previously approved plan.
“The lower level will be at street grades with restaurant uses containing 11,940 square feet. The upper level will be used for office space of 5,700 square feet and feature a wraparound porch. The building will be constructed primarily of stucco finishes and concrete tile roof,” according to an application filed with the city.
The University Park Planning and Zoning Commission greenlit the new plan on July 12, but it still needs city council approval.
Council members greenlit a previous site plan in September 2021, and the southeast corner buildings, built in the 1940s, were demolished in January. Demolition came
When we took our originally after legal maneuverings between developer approved project and went Jim Strode, University to market to bid it, because Park city officials, and the Snider Plaza Alliof the underground parking ance, a neighborhood … the bids came back just group opposed to the redevelopment.astronomical. However, many Adam Richey businesses formerly at that corner of the plaza remain in the shopping center. Lane Florist moved near Nekter Juice Bar, Logos bookstore moved near Gemma Collection, Arman Jewelry moved near The Toy Store, and the tailor moved near Food From Galilee.
Adam Richey, who spoke on behalf of the developers during the July 12 planning and zoning meeting, said they redid the plan primarily because of the cost of adding an underground parking garage.
“When we took our originally approved project and went to market to bid it, because of the underground parking … the bids came back just astronomical,” Richey said. “So really pretty much economically, [the cost] made the project not feasible.”
Freedom Caucus addresses letter to University Park lawyer
By Rachel Snyder
rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
Conservative state lawmakers sent a letter to the Sidley Austin law firm threatening to file legislation prohibiting companies from covering the cost of abortions or related travel expenses to other states.
The letter, signed by Texas Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Mayes Middleton and 10 other legislators, including Rep. Matt Krause of Fort Worth, Rep. Matt Shaheen from Plano, and Brian Harrison of Waxahachie, was addressed to Yvette Ostolaza, of University Park.
Ostolaza chairs Sidley Austin’s management committee, one of the two top governing bodies for one of the largest U.S. law firms with offices worldwide.
Sidley Austin declined to comment for this story.
Several large companies have pledged to pay for employees’ reproductive health costs (PHOTO: PIXABAY.COM) following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, including Dallas-based Match Group and AT&T, among others, according to media reports. Dallas County district attorney John Creuzot also joined peers in other large urban areas in refusing to prosecute women seeking abortions in Dallas County.
“I want women across Texas, and especially here in Dallas County, to rest assured that my office will not stand in the way of them seeking the health care they need,” Creuzot wrote. “As we do every day, my office will continue to use discretion to pursue justice on behalf of all citizens of our Dallas County community.”
The letter from lawmakers doesn’t stop at threatening legislation to bar companies from paying for or reimbursing costs related to the reproductive healthcare support regardless of whether the abortion occurs in a state where the procedure is legal.
It also proposes:
Allowing district attorneys to prosecute abortion-related cases regardless of whether the residing district attorney chooses to indict;
Allowing private citizens to sue anyone who pays for an abortion or reimburses related costs on behalf of a Texas resident;
And requiring the State Bar of Texas to disbar any lawyer “furnishing the means for procuring an abortion knowing the purpose intended.” It’s unclear whether the caucus has sent similar letters to other companies offering similar benefits. It’s also not the first time these legislators have threatened CEOs that operate in Texas. In May, lawmakers, including state Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, wrote a letter to Lyft CEO Logan Green. Green pledged on Twitter that the company would cover the travel costs for the procedure for employees if necessary, as well as the legal fees of any Lyft driver sued under Senate Bill 8. This Texas law empowers private citizens to file lawsuits against anyone who assists in procuring an abortion.
“The state of Texas will take swift and decisive action if you do not immediately rescind your recently announced policy to pay for the travel expenses of women who abort their unborn children,” that letter stated, as reported by the Texas Tribune.
What Did They Say … About the Abortion Decision?
U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Irving
“This is a momentous step for the rights of the unborn and the sanctity of life. It has been the goal of our party to send this decision back to the states where it belongs, and I look forward to a rightful return to federalism, a constitutionally loyal Supreme Court, and am grateful for every life saved as a result.”
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas
“Just like when abortion was illegal before, abortion won’t end, it will just become dangerous and cost women their lives. This ruling joins the list of the worst decisions in the Court’s long history. The real-world impacts will be devastating and will take us back decades.”
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Texas Board of Legal Specialization Texas Super Lawyer, Rising Star 2016-2021 (Thomson Reuters)
For a consultation DBragg@QSLWM.com
214-880-1842
Laura Caston
Board Certified – Family Law
Texas Board of Legal Specialization Texas Super Lawyer, Rising Star 2021-2022 (Thomson Reuters)
For a consultation LCaston@QSLWM.com
214-880-1865
Dallas (Primary) 2001 Bryan Street, Suite 1800 Dallas, Texas 75201 Plano (By Appointment Only) 6900 N. Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800 Plano, Texas 75024
