In December 1994, the City Council approved, unanimously, the final draft of the Dallas Plan. Shortly thereafter, we took the first steps toward implementation of that vision by approving “25 for 95” – a package of action items to be initiated or completed during the ’95 calendar year.
While we weren’t totally successful, we certainly made giant strides in a number of the areas indentified in that list.
Several of the improvements on the list are long overdue. With voter approval of $85 million of general obligation bonds for streets, alleys, erosion and flood control, we have begun to reduce the backlog of infrastructure needs throughout the City.
A new computer system has been approved for our libraries, and our children will soon be able to access information from throughout the country and the world.
Capital investment in our core assets received the endorsement of voters, and for the first time, financial investment in the Zoo, Fair Park, the Arboretum and other public facilities will be matched dollar for dollar by contributions from private citizens. That’s a real public-private partnership!
Another area of emphasis in the action plan is investment in our neighborhoods. The livable Neighborhood Strategy and Neighborhood Renaissance Partnership offer new hope and new opportunities for some of our more fragile inner-city neighborhoods.
Investment to promote economic and industrial development was, is and will continue to be both a major challenge and a primary goal. The creation of the Dallas Economic Development Corporation offers a new vehicle for economic expansion, primarily in the southern sector.
Focus on improvements near Love Field and Redbird Airport will expand interest in investment in both areas. We continue to explore the development of a South Dallas airport, and while several major obstacles remain to be overcome, the city manager does not view them as insurmountable.
While we didn’t “bat a thousand” with the “25 for 95,” we made great progress!
What’s next? During January, 14 meetings were held throughout the City. Another nine meetings will take place this month. At each, citizens will share their ideas about what the 1996 action agenda should include.
On March 6, the Council will be briefed on proposed action items. Approval by the Council is expected March 13.
Please try to attend one of the remaining meetings and offer your ideas. All of us must work together to make the vision of the Dallas Plan a reality for future generations.
The meetings will be held on Feb. 1(Councilwoman Poss will co-host), at the Ridgewood Recreation Center, 6818 Fisher at 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 1, (Councilwoman Mayes will co-host), at the Dallas Horticulture Center (formerly the Civic Garden Center) at Fair Park at 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 5 (District 11), at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest at 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 6, (economic development) at Methodist Medical Center, Weiss Auditorium, 1441 N. Beckley, from 4-6 p.m.; Feb. 8, (core assets), at J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 7th floor, 1515 Young, from 4-6 p.m.; Feb. 12, (neighborhoods) at Ridgewood Baptist Church, 5470 Ellsworth from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: and Feb. 22 (Mayor Kirk will co-host) at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla, from 4-7 p.m.
