Imagine this: You grow up in a city that is over crowded, and there is even more crime than there are people.  But tucked away in the big, bad city is this little 10-block community in which you reside. Yes it is known for being the hot spot for the night life, and its streets are dotted with tattoo parlors, but that’s not the only thing it is credited for. 

Within your little community of sin there is a touch of innocence, brilliant works of art created by average people, some of which you might even know.  Murals have graced the walls of your streets and, one tunnel in particular, ever since you can remember. As much as they are a part of the city, a little part of you feels connected to them, as well.  Then, one day, out of nowhere, half of them have vanished.

It is no secret that Deep Ellum is considered the Art District of Dallas. If you have ever traveled through there you know of the infamous tunnel that lights your way into Deep Ellum. The Good Latimar Tunnel was part of a renovation made to the city in 1925.  Twenty million dollars in bonds was donated to the city to improve levee and flood prevention, as well, as transportation. The tunnel was one of the few remaining improvements of that era.

For one reason and one reason only the historic tunnel is in the process of being wrongfully destroyed. Money. It seems DART has not made enough of it, so they are tearing down the one piece of history that makes Deep Ellum what it is.

The Art Festival and The Music Festival have been held here and the tunnel was one of the many reasons why people came.  It was exciting to see the fresh minds of young artists plastered on the walls around them. But who was benefiting from this, not Dallas, not DART?  So a simple solution to make more money is to build a DART station that people almost have to use.

The plan has been under way since 2002, but just recently have these plans been turned into actions. It is being referred to as “Deep Ellum Gateway Replacement Project” and is expected to be finished in 2009.

Frank Campagna the owner of Kettle Art in Deep Ellum is being put in charge of Project Re*Cov*Er.  In order to keep locals happy DART has come up with a 1.5 million dollar art program at the ground level station that will replace the tunnel. They have also donated a portion of the tunnel to Dallas preservation.

A contest is underway to find pieces worthy of representing the tunnel.  A panel of city leaders has been put together to pick which 10 murals will be painted on the new station.

The question is have we settled for less than what history deserves?  Is it ok for someone to leave their mark for generations to come and have it erased before those generations arrive, all in the name of profit?