Located just 25 minutes south of Dallas, downtown Ennis is a charming district defined by late 19th-century architecture and historic brick streets. Founded in 1872 along the Houston and Central Texas Railroad, Ennis once thrived as an urban hub serving a robust agricultural economy. Over time, shifts in the agricultural industry and the construction of the I-45 bypass redirected commercial activity away from downtown, leading to population decline and economic stagnation. Despite these changes, Ennis managed to preserve much of its historic downtown fabric.

Today, Ennis is home to a growing population of over 20,000 and is experiencing a wave of new residential development extending from the Dallas-Fort Worth corridor. In response to this growth, the city adopted a downtown master plan to guide future development and economic revitalization, emphasizing the creation of a more walkable, connected downtown and enhancing the urban core while honoring its historic character. The major plan components include the redesign of Dallas Street, its connected alleyways, and Minnie McDowal Park.

A Throughfare Renewal
As the primary north-south commercial corridor, Dallas Street was dominated by vehicles, lacked pedestrian appeal, and presented many physical barriers to accessibility. Faced with a limited budget and an aggressive construction timeline, the design team focused on several key project priorities: creating a healthy and inviting environment, removing physical barriers, preserving cultural heritage, improving safety and comfort, and enhancing the downtown's visual appeal.

The new design creates a modern, pedestrian-oriented downtown that celebrates the area's rich heritage while accommodating vehicular needs. Dallas Street now features a mixture of intimate and casual public spaces for dining, gathering, and hosting events year-round - ranging from festivals and street markets to performances and celebrations. The revitalized streetscape invites visitors seeking unique retail, dining, and residential experiences - setting it apart from commodity-driven retail along the I-45 corridor. The result is in investment from local entrepreneurs and the stimulation of long-term economic development. Although the reconfigured streetscape reduced on-street parking, a new off-street lot was introduced to increase capacity and facilitate a seasonal farmers market.

 

The downtown alleyways - once underutilized service corridors - have also been reimagined as auto-free, multifunctional spaces. Now offering outdoor retail, patio seating, and entertainment zones, they play a dual role as pedestrian corridors and part of the stormwater management system, serving as emergency overflow outlets during intense rain events. While automobile access is restricted, service deliveries and trash removal are still accommodated through managed scheduling to avoid conflicts with pedestrians and planned events. Designed for flexibility, the alleyways can be tailored to meet the unique needs of adjacent businesses. Where possible, overhead utilities have been either removed or rerouted to improve aesthetics and serviceability, and each alley now features a distinct lighting scheme to create a unique nighttime experience.

Environmentally Sound Surfaces
The project embraces a "Green Streets" approach to infrastructure and pedestrian improvements. One of the most complex challenges was creating a fully accessible streetscape without altering the existing cast iron and historic brick thresholds or introducing unsightly ramps and walls. Achieving this required detailed elevation studies of each building and precise grading design across the project area.

A key design feature was the use of CityGreen Systems' Stratavault suspended paving system throughout the pedestrian zones to replace the impermeable curb and gutter street section. This system enables organized utility corridors, simplifies maintenance, and supports permeable pavers that can handle heavy vehicular loads. Its specialized soil structure delivers a high percentage of void space, optimizing the growing environment for healthy street trees and understory plantings while providing stormwater filtration, groundwater recharge, and detention. Integrated drip irrigation and fertilization systems further promote plant vitality and soil health. Combined with curbless streets and the alleyway overflow system, these features significantly improve surface runoff and accessibility.

Acknowledging Times Past
To honor the city's 19th-century rail town identity, the streetscape design incorporates an authentic mix of historic brick paving, weathered concrete, concrete pavers, and cast-iron details. Salvaged from the underlying street, reclaimed brick bands are the unifying fabric woven throughout the streetscape. Locally sourced, acid-etched, and sandblasted limestone aggregate concrete panels add visual interest, complementing the existing brick. Street furnishings and large Corten steel planters create an inviting atmosphere for visitors and downtown merchants while serving as protective barriers from vehicular traffic.

Instituting Innovation
Technological upgrades include a fully programmable and remote-controllable streetlight LED lighting system that reduces energy use, minimizes maintenance costs, and is centrally controlled for maximum operational flexibility. These poles also house speakers for music and local business promotions. Free public Wi-Fi further enhances the downtown experience for residents, visitors, and event vendors alike.

Adding Greenery
The planting scheme is designed with a distinct landscape palette, giving each block its own unique character. More than 40 species of native and adaptive plants create seasonal interest and resilience. A continuous allée of Princeton American Elms lines the street, providing a cathedral-like corridor of cool, dappled shade in the hot summer months that allows warm sunlight through in the cool winter months. Equipped with holiday lighting, the trees become a sculptural display during the annual "Lights of Ennis" festival.

A Recreation Upgrade
Included as part of the downtown streetscape, Minnie McDowal Park - once an underused public space with limited programming, use, and flexibility - is now a vibrant anchor for the city. Additions include a gazebo, public restrooms, an interactive water feature, landscaping, and varied seating. A cast stone art wall - sculpted by one artist based on a painting by another local artist who operated out of the building behind the park - pays tribute to the city's namesake and its iconic bluebonnet season.

Blending 19th-century charm with 21st-century sustainability, downtown Ennis has become a lively, event-rich hub that reflects both its past and its evolving future. With renewed economic energy and a distinctive sense of place, downtown is reclaiming its role as the heart of the community. This transformation has not gone unnoticed, as the project has received multiple honors, including the Texas Downtown Association President's Award for Best Public Improvement, the Greater Dallas Planning Council Urban Design Award, and an Honor Award from the ASLA Texas Chapter.

As seen in LASN magazine, November 2025.