Cedar Spring Strip Fights For Life

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As more old homes and apartment buildings were razed and more new high-end residential and business buildings started going up in Oak Lawn in 2007, some people applauded the new developments while others bemoaned the loss of the area�s unique personality and historic charm.

Many longtime residents of the area also expressed dismay that they were being run out of Oak Lawn as most of the older, more affordable housing was being replaced with expensive high-rise condos and townhomes, and that the �gayborhood� was being taken over by wealthy heterosexuals.

In January, Crosland Investments, a North Dallas development company, announced plans to construct a multi-floor apartment building with ground floor retail space on the site of the former Tom Thumb grocery store on Cedar Springs Road.

The following month, some longtime business owners in the area announced the reformation of the Cedar Springs Merchants Association. Association members said they wanted to work together to fight off the recent downturn that they attributed, in part, to ongoing street construction that made it more difficult for shoppers and club-goers to get to the Cedar Springs strip.