East Dallas Scout Builds Ride-Share Shelter
A University Park teen constructed a covered waiting station at Juliette Fowler Communities to help residents meet drivers safely.
By Sergio Ramirez ·
Residents of Juliette Fowler Communities in East Dallas now have a dedicated, covered spot to wait for rideshare pickups. Fourteen-year-old Charlie McGinnis built the structure as his Eagle Scout project. The station solves a common problem on the multi-address campus where drivers often get lost.
McGinnis, a freshman at St. Mark’s School of Texas in University Park, completed the build on Labor Day. The three-day construction effort followed months of planning. His grandfather assisted with the design, and both grandparents helped with the woodworking. McGinnis started Scouting in first grade and had previously helped his brother erect a similar structure across the street two years earlier.
The idea for the project came from conversations with residents who reported difficulties with Uber and Lyft pickups. "They said their residents sometimes had issues with ride shares. So, this would be a consistent and safe location for them to stop, so that’s why I researched this project," McGinnis said. He noted that drivers could now mark the specific spot on their maps for all the community addresses.
Leading the project required McGinnis to manage a team of fellow Scouts through design and construction challenges. "This project was a little harder, because this is not as common. So, we had to come up with the design of our own," he explained. His father, Jim McGinnis, noted that the process was initially daunting for the family.
Jim McGinnis said his son brought together Scout friends and led them through the work. "He got to work with his grandfather and his grandmother in the design process. It was a bit daunting at first, but I think when we finished it, we all had a great sense of accomplishment," Jim McGinnis said. The family is members of Troop 82, which has chartered since 1955 and produced more than 1,100 Eagle Scouts.
Local residents watched the work take shape and expressed immediate support for the new addition. Marylin Wright, a resident of Juliette Fowler, reacted with enthusiasm. "It’s awesome! I’m a former teacher, and he gets an A-plus-plus!" she said. McGinnis said the residents appreciate the safety and convenience the station provides.
The wood on the new structure needs time to cure before it can be painted. McGinnis plans to return in six months to complete that final step. The station serves the intergenerational nonprofit community by giving drivers a clear landmark and residents a protected area to wait.
