Dallas public works proposes unified downtown sidewalk standard, commission recommends adoption

City of Dallas public works staff on Tuesday presented a proposal to standardize sidewalks in the downtown Central Business District and adjoining commercial corridors, recommending a broom-finished concrete panel with trench drains at tree wells in place of the pervious concrete used in prior projects.

The proposal, presented by Michael Pierce of the city’s public works support services, calls for a consistent pedestrian zone, paver edge details, a one-foot curb channel for drainage, and a minimum 4-foot-by-6-foot tree planter well. Pierce said the design replaces pervious concrete — which his team found clogs with sediment and organic debris — with a broom finish concrete section and intermittent trench drains at tree wells to reduce pooling and improve pedestrian safety.

Pierce told the commission, “Pervious concrete is great, but at the same time, it clogs very easy when you get sediments and, you know, leaves and trees, which we have…