Over the last month-and-a-half The Association has held Saturday meetings to try and organize our thoughts. The result of this ranges from the broad to the very specific. Just to get the broad-brush out of the way, here is our mission statement:

Deep Ellum Association Mission Statement

The Deep Ellum Association is committed to keeping Deep Ellum as Dallas’ incubator for arts, music, small entrepreneurs, and urban living. The DEA embraces ecologically sustainable future development that is consistent with Deep Ellum’s independent spirit and historic legacy.

Deep Ellum Association Statement on Future Development

1. The DEA encourages the adaptive reuse of existing historic structures and supports redevelopment where the existing facade is preserved and additional floors are added above.

2. The DEA supports efforts to make Deep Ellum Dallas’ “green” neighbhorhood pioneer, with LEED-certified, ecologically sustainable development, widespread renewable energy usage, cooperative recycling, organic community gardens; green spaces, and innovative approaches to minimizing the neighborhood’s overall environmental impact.

3. The DEA supports high density, mixed usage (retail and residential) developments that are built to a high standard of quality that will last the test of time and exceed minimum building standards.

4. The DEA supports and will assist building owners who wish to obtain historic designation and incentives for preserving Deep Ellum’s historically and architecturally significant buildings.

5. The DEA supports future development that provides affordable living, retail, studio, gallery and teaching space for Deep Ellum’s artists, musicians, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs.

6. DEA believes that live music, theater, and arts is the cultural essence of Deep Ellum and will actively support and encourage its continued presence and success.

And all the nitty-gritty can be downloaded in pdf format HERE!

We have fleshed out the top five ideas a little further, but the only two that are set in stone are the Free Wireless and the Mural Contest. The Lights On! project has a lot of moving parts but, in my opinon, is the most exciting of the bunch. Sean Fitzgerald gets all the credit for coming up with that one.