Nathaniel Barrett
@ncoxbarrett.bsky.social
Dallas developer, urban orchardist, cargo bike rider, parking reformer. Building a better Dallas, one lot at a time.
I can't believe there's a shopping center called "World Cup Plaza" and it looks like this.
November 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I can't believe there's a shopping center called "World Cup Plaza" and it looks like this.
Context: currently enjoying Yoni Appelbaum's "Stuck".
November 13, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Context: currently enjoying Yoni Appelbaum's "Stuck".
Every history of American planning and zoning:
November 13, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Every history of American planning and zoning:
For some reason I find the "TrumpRx" name and website very funny.
November 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
For some reason I find the "TrumpRx" name and website very funny.
I was wrong for it is currently under contract.
November 6, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I was wrong for it is currently under contract.
I was doing great until this house in Austin came up. Prices still have further to fall in Central Texas.
November 6, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I was doing great until this house in Austin came up. Prices still have further to fall in Central Texas.
Getting civic in the neighborhood!
November 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Getting civic in the neighborhood!
How I love les poissons
November 4, 2025 at 1:06 PM
How I love les poissons
Opening remarks from CM Mendelsohn, CM Roth and Ridley are here as well
November 4, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Opening remarks from CM Mendelsohn, CM Roth and Ridley are here as well
I'm here at the Save City Hall public meeting. Looking around it's the same 80 people who always show up to fight obviously bad ideas from city hall (plus preservationists).
November 3, 2025 at 11:57 PM
I'm here at the Save City Hall public meeting. Looking around it's the same 80 people who always show up to fight obviously bad ideas from city hall (plus preservationists).
Here's a comparison of a 10yr hold vs 30yr hold under the "low" repair scenario with "low amenity" lease, assuming 2% rent growth.
The main thing that jumps out at me is the astounding cost assumed for security and operations at $26psf annually.
The main thing that jumps out at me is the astounding cost assumed for security and operations at $26psf annually.
November 3, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Here's a comparison of a 10yr hold vs 30yr hold under the "low" repair scenario with "low amenity" lease, assuming 2% rent growth.
The main thing that jumps out at me is the astounding cost assumed for security and operations at $26psf annually.
The main thing that jumps out at me is the astounding cost assumed for security and operations at $26psf annually.
For some reason we are hearing from the Convention Center people, who operate in the absolute fantasy land of numbers and falsehoods (losing out on conventions due to poor connectivity with Southern Dallas???)
November 3, 2025 at 7:36 PM
For some reason we are hearing from the Convention Center people, who operate in the absolute fantasy land of numbers and falsehoods (losing out on conventions due to poor connectivity with Southern Dallas???)
Consider, again, the supposed parking garage needs. City Hall is surrounded by parking lots! Let employees park off-site.
Or build a parking garage, it'll cost a whole lot less than $500 per square foot.
Or build a parking garage, it'll cost a whole lot less than $500 per square foot.
November 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Consider, again, the supposed parking garage needs. City Hall is surrounded by parking lots! Let employees park off-site.
Or build a parking garage, it'll cost a whole lot less than $500 per square foot.
Or build a parking garage, it'll cost a whole lot less than $500 per square foot.
The 2 biggest categories, water infiltration and Garage Repairs, make up the lion's share. You know staff is on shaky ground when they report it may cost $200-500 per square foot for a parking garage repair.
This makes absolutely no sense. You could demo and rebuild the whole thing for less.
This makes absolutely no sense. You could demo and rebuild the whole thing for less.
November 3, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The 2 biggest categories, water infiltration and Garage Repairs, make up the lion's share. You know staff is on shaky ground when they report it may cost $200-500 per square foot for a parking garage repair.
This makes absolutely no sense. You could demo and rebuild the whole thing for less.
This makes absolutely no sense. You could demo and rebuild the whole thing for less.
Staff's numbers are inflated and should be treated as poorly informed at best.
I'd put the necessary & reasonable items at $30-60M. By far the largest category of costs are things that are wildly inflated and largely unnecessary.
It just doesn't pass the smell test (cont)
I'd put the necessary & reasonable items at $30-60M. By far the largest category of costs are things that are wildly inflated and largely unnecessary.
It just doesn't pass the smell test (cont)
November 3, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Staff's numbers are inflated and should be treated as poorly informed at best.
I'd put the necessary & reasonable items at $30-60M. By far the largest category of costs are things that are wildly inflated and largely unnecessary.
It just doesn't pass the smell test (cont)
I'd put the necessary & reasonable items at $30-60M. By far the largest category of costs are things that are wildly inflated and largely unnecessary.
It just doesn't pass the smell test (cont)
Final watermelon of the season
November 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Final watermelon of the season
Back on it with Autumn Glory Compote! Pineapple, pumpkin, apricots, and raisins with spices. A surprisingly good combination.
November 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Back on it with Autumn Glory Compote! Pineapple, pumpkin, apricots, and raisins with spices. A surprisingly good combination.
Someone's a D&D fan
November 1, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Someone's a D&D fan
I want to go back to the 2019 numbers 😭. A 10x difference in 6 years.
October 25, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I want to go back to the 2019 numbers 😭. A 10x difference in 6 years.
Apparently we spent $1.7M per daily rider on the silver line. 😲
October 25, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Apparently we spent $1.7M per daily rider on the silver line. 😲
The cash grab worked on me.
October 23, 2025 at 12:16 PM
The cash grab worked on me.
If this scares you I invite you to every 1970s-1980s office building in Dallas.
October 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
If this scares you I invite you to every 1970s-1980s office building in Dallas.
The numbers from staff don't seem to be based on anything in particular. I question whether some of these need to be addressed (do we need a $17M generator?) and a few of them definitely do not, like garage structural repairs.
October 22, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The numbers from staff don't seem to be based on anything in particular. I question whether some of these need to be addressed (do we need a $17M generator?) and a few of them definitely do not, like garage structural repairs.
Also, city hall has Federal Pacific Panels still which made me laugh.
October 21, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Also, city hall has Federal Pacific Panels still which made me laugh.