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An Open Letter / Oak Cliff Christian Church - Last Call

July 15, 2010

One month from today, Oak Cliff Christian Church will be demolished by the Dallas

Independent School District to make way for a softball field (formerly a tennis court). It

must be under contract by August 15 and closed by October 29. Odds are not in the

church’s favor.

These past few months, we've shown the church to the non-profit Avance, Christ for the

 Nations, Architexas, Sacred Places, Central Dallas Ministries, two charter schools, awedding photographer and event planner, two congregations and a handful of condo

developers. We also had an open house where around 100 people came through in 4

hours.

The deal has always hinged on two things, the price and the parking. At a firm 1.2

million, Oak Cliff Christian isn’t cheap. Half that cost is the certified asbestos

remediation. Making those numbers work from a business standpoint is difficult. Theydo work, but on the back end in that much of the incentives available center around

Landmark designation and National Registry status. Even federal HUD monies and city

subsidies are largely back-end. The paperwork is extensive, but it can be done. That allof this has coincided with the worst financial mess since the Great Depression hasn’t

 been helpful.

We were told that no land was available for parking. There were two offers that were

contingent on parking, but DISD said no. Even with the property windfall that comes

from closing two city streets, they said no. They suggested we go buy a piece of land anddrive up costs even more.

David Spence, of Good Space, had a brilliant idea to convert the structure into workforce

housing for DISD employees. DISD would retain ownership, help struggling teachersand save a building the community wanted. Win, win, and win. Even more funding

would be available with this scenario. Former Trustee Jerome Garza loved the idea for 

other historic DISD properties but not this one - too much water under the bridge I guess.

In mediation, we were told students in the suburbs had acreage and DISD students

deserved no less. We offered that Adamson students were exposed to an urbanexperience not found in suburbia and there was value in that. Adamson and Oak Cliff 

Christian were this next generation’s just as much as anyone’s and this would take

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something from them as well, but to no avail. One night I saw all my old friends on

television – they were buying up homes and businesses in Jubilee Park.

I graduated from Kimball High School. We had a football stadium, a field house and

acreage. Kimball barely escaped closure this year. Acreage has nothing to do with an

education; just ask kids that live in Manhattan.

 New DISD trustee Eric Cowan has not been able to persuade the administration on Ross

Ave. to acquiesce. I think we would not be here today had he been in this from the beginning but the car had already been pointed towards the cliff long before he got a

chance to steer.

The only silver lining is the backing off of tearing down Adamson High School. Hadthey done this when Adamson Alumni asked, we'd also not be here today and Revival

Tabernacle would still be holding services at 300 E. Tenth.

There is one other good thing that has come out of all this. Many are now aware of a partof Oak Cliff 8 blocks from somewhere they go all the time – the Bishop Arts District – 

and that is a good thing because there is more to us than that and many more areas thatneed attention. It is only a matter of time before success reaches the church and so sad it

may not be here to see it.

There is still time. Our realtor Monte Anderson, who renovated the Belmont Hotel, toldme how this was going to go down from the very beginning. OCC's best shot was for a

 philanthropist to walk up and write a check simply because they thought it was the right

thing to do and because they had the ability to do it. The building is a good fit for many anon-profit. When the new Adamson is finished, they will have a front yard 3 blocks long

and 2 blocks wide with a view of downtown.

A lot of people kid me about whether or not I might chain myself to OCC when August

15 rolls around. Probably not, but OOCCL will be there to see this through to the end.

Whether or not we should have done this has never been an issue. No matter theoutcome, this was the right thing to do and we did our best. There is still time to save a

 beautiful piece of historic architecture and the city of Dallas would be richer for it if we

did. Much like her sister church that later became the old Hard Rock Café; the people are

against its demolition.

In the future, let us ask those seeking permission to educate our youth what they think 

about history, about being a good neighbor or a wise steward of public funds. Ask themabout your area high school or elementary school and about the neighborhoods where

these buildings stand. Their views on these things are just as important as those

concerning math, science or TAKS testing. In terms of our youth's maturation process itis a simple matter of respect: a commodity we all could use a little bit more of.

Michael Amonett

President, Old Oak Cliff Conservation League