Dealey Plaza strustures

[John Dolva]

The structure of Dealey Plaza.

Elsewhere I have read that it is not known exactly why the Plaza is built the way it is. Others will say it is cosmetic.

However, if one looks at the rather monolithic concrete structures one may deduce a purpose.

Theory One:

At the turn of the century there was a large flood that cut Dallas in half for some days/weeks. Supply lines were cut.

Forget for a moment whatever else that the Plaza is and think of it a sluice gate, and the streets as dry river beds.

We then have the massive triple underpass as the point towards which water is directed.

The ponds at the top are low ponds but massive in their resistance to sideways forces. ie. they direct flood water to the streets. Erosion control.

On either side going down there are the semicircular barriers and their associated low barriers. They bind the sides together and in case of huge flash floods direct water and debris away from important flat area supply depots.

In effect, the plaza is one huge engineering feat for one purpose. To prevent the disastrous division of the city and to maintain the supply lines. The Underpass is, while it may appear decorative, built to withstand great forces and the pillars are directional bulwarks.

Because (I theorise) engineers had the last word, it is rather ugly and functional. Hence the symmetry. Engineers like symmetry. It makes calculations so much easier.

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Theory Two: Defence.

Look at the four semicircles and where they are placed. Dont they look like gun emplacements? For cannon and riflemen? A staggered withdrawal of defence into the streets of the CBD?

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Theory Three: Both.

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????

[John Dolva]

DE-FENCE

Defence

The two large concrete sentry boxes at either end of the two quarter circles serve multiple purposes. Not only have they a strong symmetry with smooth pointed roof without gutters. Purely functional. They also have a unique connecting structure. That kind of thing can be called an auditory lens. It enables sentries at either end to communicate with each other in a near whisper as the soundwaves bounce along the circle. Also an alert in the form of a shot in the middle of the structure will concentrate the waves and direct them towards the area where the second inner pair are placed.

Now, why would such a complex be built overlooking the western plains?

Could it be that following the surrender (not defeat, the last battle of the Civil war occurred in Texas and was a victory for the rebels.) the city fathers started the preparations for the next blow, which came in the form of the assassination of Kennedy and the establishment of the Texas/Southern led dynasties in the White House? Has the South, unbeknownst to the sleeping North, finally been victorious? Has their quiet tenacity paid off in the face of Northern complacency and a wish for accommodation, conciliation.

Just North of the Plaza is the still little known, in progress, new development of VictoryPark. ???

WIKI:

The project includes the American Airlines Center and the new 33-story W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences.

Other structures are planned such as the 45-story One Victory Tower, high-rise apartments, condominium towers, as well as retail and green spaces.

The centerpiece of Victory Park's retail space is LFT, a new 30,000 concept store that is the brainchild of Ort Varona and Glenn Singer, the retail masterminds behind Dallas' Octane and Premium93. LFT, a contemporary "boutique department store" will showcase designer fashion by the likes of Ted Baker, Chip & Pepper, J. Lindeberg, and Bono's Edun.

Part of the development will include an area (Victory Plaza) reminiscent of Times Square in New York City.

This area will contain the largest and greatest number of digital billboards overlooking a plaza anywhere in the world and the plaza will contain studios for WFAA, a local broadcast station.

The American Airlines Center: Home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars, is the first tenant located in Victory. The facility opened in July of 2001. It is located at 2500 Victory Avenue.

The W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences: The 33-story hotel will be first W Hotel to be built in Texas and was finished being built in late summer of 2006. The hotel includes both guest rooms and condominium properties and will house a Bliss Spa, "Craft," New York Chef Tom Colicchio's new restauarant concept, and the ultra-hip "ghostbar" lounge. The W Dallas-Victory, which broke ground on April 15, 2004, is located at 2440 Victory Park Lane.

Victory Park Marketing Center: The Victory Park Marketing Center is currently located in a temporary site on location at Victory.

[Jack White]

DE-FENCE

Defence

The two large concrete sentry boxes at either end of the two quarter circles serve multiple purposes. Not only have they a strong symmetry with smooth pointed roof without gutters. Purely functional. They also have a unique connecting structure. That kind of thing can be called an auditory lens. It enables sentries at either end to communicate with each other in a near whisper as the soundwaves bounce along the circle. Also an alert in the form of a shot in the middle of the structure will concentrate the waves and direct them towards the area where the second inner pair are placed.

Now, why would such a complex be built overlooking the western plains?

Could it be that following the surrender (not defeat, the last battle of the Civil war occurred in Texas and was a victory for the rebels.) the city fathers started the preparations for the next blow, which came in the form of the assassination of Kennedy and the establishment of the Texas/Southern led dynasties in the White House? Has the South, unbeknownst to the sleeping North, finally been victorious? Has their quiet tenacity paid off in the face of Northern complacency and a wish for accommodation, conciliation.

Just North of the Plaza is the still little known, in progress, new development of VictoryPark. ???

WIKI:

The project includes the American Airlines Center and the new 33-story W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences.

Other structures are planned such as the 45-story One Victory Tower, high-rise apartments, condominium towers, as well as retail and green spaces.

The centerpiece of Victory Park's retail space is LFT, a new 30,000 concept store that is the brainchild of Ort Varona and Glenn Singer, the retail masterminds behind Dallas' Octane and Premium93. LFT, a contemporary "boutique department store" will showcase designer fashion by the likes of Ted Baker, Chip & Pepper, J. Lindeberg, and Bono's Edun.

Part of the development will include an area (Victory Plaza) reminiscent of Times Square in New York City.

This area will contain the largest and greatest number of digital billboards overlooking a plaza anywhere in the world and the plaza will contain studios for WFAA, a local broadcast station.

The American Airlines Center: Home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars, is the first tenant located in Victory. The facility opened in July of 2001. It is located at 2500 Victory Avenue.

The W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences: The 33-story hotel will be first W Hotel to be built in Texas and was finished being built in late summer of 2006. The hotel includes both guest rooms and condominium properties and will house a Bliss Spa, "Craft," New York Chef Tom Colicchio's new restauarant concept, and the ultra-hip "ghostbar" lounge. The W Dallas-Victory, which broke ground on April 15, 2004, is located at 2440 Victory Park Lane.

Victory Park Marketing Center: The Victory Park Marketing Center is currently located in a temporary site on location at Victory.

Hate to disappoint your theories but the VICTORY development was named for

the SPORTS venues of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team by billionaire owner

Mark Cuban. Get it? Sports team...victory! Nothing mysterious.

Unless you want to figure that the W Hotel is a secret reference to G. "Dubya" Bush.

Now THAT would be sinister.

Jack

[John Dolva]

Ok Jack, I confess to having a bit more fun with this one than usual. When do you reckon ground was first 'broken' in Victory park? In true Dallas Bonesmens tradition it was not 'broken', it was 'un-broken'.

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While construction in Victory Park started in september 1999, the 'un-groundbreaking' ceremony and site blessing was held on the morning of November 23rd...

http://www.americanairlinescenter.com/inde.../Page/PageID/73

"Construction for American Airlines Center Underway"

November 17, 1999

"The last of the piers are being drilled, most of the foundation is poured and the walls are going up at the American Airlines Center. Although the dirt began flying at the site in early September, it was way too hot in the 100-plus degree heat to invite all the center's supporters and community partners to a groundbreaking. Instead they'll be getting a souvenir (actual dirt from the site) that commemorates the "un-groundbreaking."..."

"Site Blessing..."

November 22, 1999

"A Site Blessing and breakfast will be held, rain or shine ... 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 23, 1999..."

Edited December 10, 2006 by John Dolva