The Cedars neighborhood south of downtown Dallas is one of the city’s first and most-historic areas, one that has suddenly been thrust into a highly visible, prominent place in the city’s future.

Monday’s announcement by Texas Central Partners that it chose The Cedars for a new terminal for its $15 billion bullet train project that will run between Dallas and Houston brings the enclave opportunities for economic growth.

“This station will be a magnet for economic activity in an area ripe for development.”
Carlos Aguilar

“This station will be a magnet for economic activity in an area ripe for development,” Texas Central CEO Carlos Aguilar said in a release. “And, it will connect seamlessly with local roads and public transit.”

The Texas Bullet Train station will be built on a mostly vacant 6-acre site south of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center near the interchange of Interstates 35E and 30.

Texas Central announced The Cedars neighborhood as the site for its Bullet Train terminal. [Rendering courtesy of Texas Central Partners]

It will be in a neighborhood that has seen significant change since it was formed in the 19th century as a home for stately mansions and cedar tree-lined streets.

Now, The Cedars is the home of the Dallas Police Department headquarters, South Side on Lamar, numerous loft developments, condos, and an ever-increasing contingent of new businesses. It’s a walkable, livable area that has attracted many young residents who want to be near the urban core

The terminal site is between South Riverfront Boulevard and Austin Street, Texas Central Partners said.

Bringing the train terminal to The Cedars “will accelerate and enhance economic growth in the southern edge of downtown, including office, retail, entertainment, restaurants, hotels, apartments, and condominiums,” Texas Central said in a release.

How big would the terminal’s impact be on The Cedars?

IMPACT ON THE CEDARS WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT

The railroad project could create 10,000 jobs during each year of construction, Texas Central said, as well as roughly 1,500 full-time jobs once operations begin.

The impact would be comparable to the recent transition of the Uptown area of Dallas, according to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Draft Environmental Impact Survey. Uptown has become one of the most-desirable areas in the city, drawing many businesses and residents to its walkable, live-work-play environment.

Developers of the Texas Bullet Train said it will offer riders a quick, comfortable option for travel that will keep them out of traffic congestion.

“It’s an amazing way to accelerate transit-oriented development that sets Texas apart from any other state, and provides businesses with unparalleled access to workers, suppliers and other critical needs.”
Carlos Aguilar

Texas Central said the site announcement comes a month after federal regulators overseeing the project released an environmental analysis that was positive for the project. It said that the 200-mph train would “alleviate the strain” on the state’s infrastructure and “is needed to accommodate growing demand.”

Passengers departing from Dallas will have a 90-minute ride via a 240-mile route to the greater Houston area. It will have a midway stop in the Brazos Valley, Texas Central Partners said.

The Dallas terminal will be connected to multimodal transportation networks, including DART.

Texas Central Partners said the development could help as a draw for Amazon’s second headquarters.

“This creates a super economy,” Aguilar said. “It’s an amazing way to accelerate transit-oriented development that sets Texas apart from any other state, and provides businesses with unparalleled access to workers, suppliers, and other critical needs.”

Texas Central released renderings, but final plans for the terminal’s design are still in the works.

The Cedars will be the home of the proposed Texas Bullet Train terminal. [Rendering courtesy of Texas Central Partners]

The viaduct following the Trinity River basin that leads to the North Texas Bullet Train Station in The Cedars neighborhood. [Photo Courtesy Texas Central]

The Cedars: Urban Life Takes Root by Kerry Curry

With a history dating back to the 19th century, The Cedars section south of Downtown Dallas was the home of stately mansions and cedar tree-lined streets. It has been reshaped into a place where loft living mixes with the Dallas Police headquarters and an influx of new businesses.