DALLAS: Real estate investor Harlan Crow is trying to ease concerns of his neighbors in the wealthy Dallas enclave of Highland Park about construction of a 77-space underground garage on his estate.
Crow, 65, CEO of Dallas-based Crow Holdings, says the $5.1 million project is intended for guests to a large library at his family’s home and for those attending other functions at his estate like political fundraisers who would have to park on the streets.
Neighbors worry about buses and tour groups if he turns the 8-acre estate, now zoned as a single-family dwelling, into a museum.
“It’s hard for me to see how a 77-space parking garage can be construed as a single-residence use,” Michael Lewis, who lives next door, told The Dallas Morning News.
Property records show the site has an eight-bedroom home, a greenhouse, a swimming pool and two unattached servants’ quarters.
Two years ago the 65-year-old CEO tried to get “historical collection” added to the zoning definition for his home, then dropped the proposal amid similar opposition from neighbors.
“I’m afraid they’re going to open it up to more people,” another neighbor, Laura Williamson, said. “Accommodating the cars he has is a good idea, but it’s going to enable him to have larger groups.”
The Harlan Crow Library is in a wing of Crow’s mansion. It holds thousands of rare books, manuscripts and artwork related to American politics, science and literature and employs a full- and part-time librarian. The property also includes a sculpture garden.
“I have what I hope is a very fine collection of manuscripts and books pertaining to American history,” Crow said. “And to the extent that I can share that with people from the area in a way that is educational and enjoyable, then I feel like I’ve done a good thing.
“And that has been and continues to be what I want to do.”
He said the parking area will be more convenient for guests and neighbors.
“And other than that, I see no impact on the whole matter,” he said.
Crow said he’s had “a good couple of years” and can afford the project, which he sees also being used by his three children for sports activities on rainy days.
Williamson said she’s been in the library, enjoyed the visit and found it beautiful. “It’s simply in the wrong place,” she said.-AP
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