DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) Dallas – The Kessler Steps in Oak Cliff between Canterbury Court and Kessler Parkway were “re-discovered” several years ago. They were originally built in the 1920’s. The steps had been covered up by overgrown vegetation over the years and had fallen into disrepair.
An effort to restore them to a new and useable condition was undertaken by some residents in the area. A controversy arose when some nearby residents didn’t want the steps re-opened due to added foot traffic and safety issues so a lawsuit was filed to try to stop the renovation. There were several legal actions that delayed the renovation including a state lawsuit, a federal lawsuit, a state Americans with Disabilities complaint and a federal ADA complaint. All actions have been settled except for the federal ADA complaint, which councilman Scott Griggs says the city is working through right now.
According to the Kessler Neighbors United website, the City of Dallas agreed to pay almost $300,000.00 for the renovation and water utility improvements. Homeowners who wanted the renovation to happen, held events and raised over $70,000.00 to go towards the project. Due to issues that arose during the project, Griggs says the project has gone tens of thousands of dollars over the original budget.
The project was recently completed in March however barricades on Kessler Parkway at the base of the steps are still in place at the Edgefield triangle.
Councilman Griggs says the barricades are there while the city works out a way to keep pedestrians safe, when they step onto Kessler Parkway while going to the Edgefield triangle and beyond.
Originally there were plans to build a raised pedestrian “table” that is similar to a wide residential street road hump, to slow traffic but that plan was scrapped due to drainage problems it would have caused. Councilman Griggs says one proposal being reviewed by city engineers now, is to add a crosswalk with signs and flashing lights to warn motorists when someone is crossing the street.
Griggs says he hopes the crossing issue can be resolved soon so Kessler Parkway can be re-opened at the base of the steps within the next two months so those using the steps can cross the street safely.
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