Opened 1997
The Mockingbird DART station has the highest density of people within 3 miles of any mass transit area in Dallas, Texas. During the construction of the station, developers made a risky decision by placing the “front door” of the retail spaces facing the platform of the station. This created a transit-oriented development, a mixed-use of residential and commercial areas designed to maximize access to public transportation. The station now includes a combination of adaptive and new construction which includes 211 loft apartments, 178,000 square feet of retail and parking for 1,580 cars. Dallas loves its cars and one of DART’s objectives is to encourage Dallasites to ride the light rail system.
DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) was created in1983 when 58% of voters, in 14 cities and Dallas counties, voted in favor of a regional transportation system. Today DART is the largest light rail operator in the United States with 85 miles of track, connecting 12 suburbs, and the Transit agency has strongly endorsed the concept of environmental awareness. Not only have they switched to a cleaner fuel technology program for all of their vehicles, but the transit agency also runs on an “honor system” where passengers are required to purchase a ticket which may or may not be checked or collected!

Mockingbird DART Station