on January 28, 2010 / by Downtown Dallas Inc. / in Blog Posts, Clean and Safe, Doing Business, Things To Do

With the NBA All-Star game just around the corner, the spotlight is on Downtown.  From whispers of celebrity sightings, to logistical preparation for the hundreds of thousands expected to visit the region, news is traveling fast.

DOWNTOWNDALLAS has been working over the last full year with NBA officials, the All-Star host committee, the Dallas Police Department and the Downtown community to prepare so that we are sure to 1) put our best foot forward in the international media spotlight; 2) ensure a positive experience for visitors; and 3) protect the overall public safety and well-being for Downtown residents, employees and businesses.  In fact, just last Friday a meeting was held with Main Street District stakeholders and the Dallas Police Department to walk through ingress/egress and traffic flow issues in the area.  This already booming District – particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with more than 60 restaurants and nightlife destinations – will be a hub for several NBA events, and no-doubt our local watering holes will be filled with basketball fans.  Considerations are being given to alternate traffic routing, street closures, valet and public parking access, and safe pedestrian routes.

This is our time to shine!  Though the actual All-Star game will be played in Arlington, the three-day programming of activity centers around American Airlines Center and the Dallas Convention Center.  Downtown will experience a huge boost in revenue, as well as exposure and perhaps show folks that haven’t been here in a while that “this ain’t your mother’s Dallas!”

Downtown residents, business owners, and stakeholders will be kept up-to-date on these issues through Residents Council notices, the Downtown Emergency Response Team notification system and direct DOWNTOWNDALLAS and Dallas Police Department communications.  Two upcoming meetings that include a briefing from DPD Chief Vincent Golbeck on the NBA All Star public safety plan for Downtown include:

The Downtown Security Directors Association – Wednesday, February 3, 1100 AM at Hunt Oil Building. RSVP with Frank Salas at fsalas@huntoil.com to confirm your attendance.

CBD Property Managers Meeting – Tuesday February 2, 3:30 PM at the Avanti Café at Fountain Place 1445 Ross Avenue.

For schedules and general event information, go to http://www.nba.com/allstar2010/ (please note that this site lists NBA sanctioned events only).

Now…enjoy!

~Kourtny

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