That's One Pricey Billboard; and a New North Dallas Multi-Use "Street Fair"?

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The five-acre piece of property you see above, at the intersection of Forest Lane and North Central Expressway, just sold for round about $9 million -- and not merely because of the five fast-food joints clogging the coveted "beachfront," but also due to the "income-generating billboard." Though its proximity to this may have also had something to do with the sale.

Also announced today: a 3.7-million-square foot mixed-use development called Midtown, which will be built at the intersection of LBJ Freeway and the Dallas North Tollway. Says here that "the 20-acre first phase of Icon’s Midtown is being built on the east side of the Dallas Galleria, with frontage along I-635/LBJ Freeway and Noel Road – a prime location where the new Midtown development will be viewed by more than 300,000 vehicles daily." Most interesting is the part of the media release promising a "street fair atmosphere." Seriously.

As in:

A 50,000 square foot “Food District” will anchor Midtown’s north side and include a famous cooking school with a T.V. studio, an Italian grocery, 20 boutique food shops offering a huge selection of fresh food take-out options and a classic New York deli-bakery. On weekends, the street will be closed to autos. Street vendors will take center stage and retailers will offer outdoor presentations and culinary delights in a pedestrian-friendly, street fair atmosphere.