DALLAS, Texas (September 30, 2008) – The Trinity River Project is one of the most ambitious and visionary urban development efforts in the history of the United States. To represent in three dimensions the scope and scale of the project, The Trinity Trust commissioned Dallas residents Charles and Susie Kendrick to build a model that would reside permanently in The Trinity Center.
Unveiled publicly on September 9 after more than 18 months of work, the model far exceeds its original expectations and will be a spectacular vehicle for galvanizing additional support and funding for the $2 billion Trinity River project. The public is invited to view the large model now on display.
Events and a press conference on Sept. 8-9 to introduce the model included Tom Leppert, City of Dallas Mayor; Mary Suhm, City of Dallas City Manager; Gail Thomas, Ph.D., president and CEO of The Trinity Trust Foundation; Mary McDermott Cook, chairman of The Trinity Trust Foundation; Margaret McDermott who is the naming inspiration for one of the Calatrava Bridges; Jeff Morris, president and CEO of ALON USA and sponsor of the Trinity Model; other elected officials, supporters and other invited guests.
Mayor Tom Leppert said, “This model gives a sense of reality to how the Trinity River Project fits into the whole city, and once completed, the Trinity will define Dallas for years to come.”
Gail Thomas, Ph.D., president and CEO of The Trinity Trust Foundation, said, “The Trinity Model, courtesy of ALON USA, is an intricately detailed model that depicts major components inside and outside the levees including replicas of the Calatrava signature bridges—Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and Margaret McDermott Bridge—two urban lakes, island, ball fields, and white water course, gateway parks such as Moore Park Gateway, residences and businesses along and around the Trinity River. This model will help us envision what the Trinity can become.”
“Large maps and renderings are nice, but truly capturing the scope and scale of this project demands a three-dimensional model,” said Jeff Morris, president and CEO of ALON USA. “Our hope is that this model will help the public and potential donors visualize the project’s possibilities, and lead to greater financial support for all of the planned elements.”
At a scale of one inch equals150 feet, the 20 ft. x 7 ft. model is quite large and displays approximately 10 miles from end-to-end. Still, this is only about one-half of the entire Trinity River project.
The 140 square foot model is comprised of 11 different panels, though the joints are invisible to viewers. Each panel contains an exact representation of that particular area of the city, down to the pitch and color of the rooftops. When the Kendricks finish placing all of the final pieces on the model, it will contain approximately 40,000 individual homes, more than 40,000 trees, 60,000 cars and thousands of commercial buildings. The model’s downtown skyscrapers even contain their actual outside architectural detail, including windows, metalwork and doors.
While the model is impressive when viewed in daylight, turning down the lights and illuminating the integrated electrical system really makes it come alive. More than 45,000 feet of fiber optics are intricately woven into the model to create a spectacular nighttime scene, from lighted streetlamps to the distinctive designs on Reunion Tower and Renaissance Tower. Perhaps most amazing is the tiny, fully functioning video screen built into the American Airlines Center complete with a Trinity video playing.
The Kendricks said, “We wanted to create something that truly represented a moment in Dallas’ history and would enable all who viewed it to place themselves in relation to the Trinity River project. To accomplish this, we decided early on to incorporate unique materials and technologies into the model as a way to stimulate the imagination and communicate the message of the Trinity River designers.”
While the Kendricks literally devoted the past 18 months of their lives to this model, they are quick to point out how the enormity of the project required assistance from hundreds of people across the world. Approximately 15 local artisans contributed to the model, while hundreds more in seven different countries helped out as well. In China alone, 40 people with one vendor were involved with just one element of the model. “The generous financial support of ALON USA enabled us to get the ‘best of the best’ to help with this model,” added Susie.
In summing up his thoughts about the model, Charles expresses a humble pride. “This will certainly be a defining project for our careers, but it is just a tiny part of what will be a defining project in the history of Dallas. Our greatest hope is that this model will spur others to get involved in and support the Trinity River project, whether with time, talent, resources, or all three. We have been honored to help communicate the vision of the Trinity River planners and look forward to seeing this vision become reality in the next several years.”
The public is invited to visit The Trinity Center and view this remarkable model. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday and other times by appointment. There is no cost. However, people are encouraged to call 214.740.1616 to ensure someone will be available to talk with them about the project. The Trinity Center is located at 1444 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75207.
About The Trinity Trust Foundation and The Trinity Center:
The Trinity Trust raises private funds to implement the Balanced Vision Plan for the Trinity River Corridor Project in conjunction with the City of Dallas. The Trinity Trust has established The Trinity Center as the gathering place for all civic and non-profit groups working to revitalize the Trinity River in Dallas. It houses the offices of The Trinity Trust Foundation, Texas Horse Park, Groundwork Dallas and Trinity Strand Trail; and hosts meetings, workshops and events for these organizations and the Trinity Commons Foundation. The Trinity Center facilitates collaboration between these entities and the City of Dallas and encourages seamless integration of all the components of the Trinity River Corridor Project. More information can be found by calling 214.740.1616, by emailing info@thetrinitytrust.org, or by visiting www.thetrinitytrust.org.
About the Trinity River Corridor Project:
The projected $2 billion Trinity River Corridor Project is the largest public works and urban development project in the history of Dallas, and one of the largest of its type in the nation. It will reduce flood damage, provide recreational amenities and visionary environmental benefits, improve downtown traffic congestion, and encourage development along the Trinity River. The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, designed by internationally known architect Santiago Calatrava, is now under construction; and in 2011, construction will begin on the second Calatrava designed bridge, the Margaret McDermott Bridge. The Trinity River Audubon Center, located at Loop 12 east of IH-45, opens to the public featuring a weekend of fun and adventure October 18-19 with free admission. In addition, an expanded system of pedestrian trails is planned for the Trinity River Corridor Project as well as the Texas Horse Park. For project updates and to watch the bridge progress, visit: http://www.trinityrivercorridor.org/.