Ribbon cutting at the new District 10 Community Office on Goforth Drive
Citizens of Lake Highlands and Hamilton Park won’t have to venture all the way downtown to handle city business, now that the new District 10 Community Office is up-and-running. Councilmember Adam McGough officially opened the satellite office in the former Texas National Guard Armory, 7901 Goforth Drive, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.
“Whatever you need to get done through City Hall,” McGough said, “you can do at this spot.”
McGough and his staff will hold office hours Fridays from 9-5 and other days as needed to meet with constituents.
“Wherever you live in Dallas, it can be hard to get downtown and get plugged in to all that’s going on in City Hall,” said McGough. “This particular spot is fun for me. I was a community prosecutor in this building.”
City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Police Chief Renee Hall, a Lake Highlands resident, were also on hand to celebrate the opening. Broadnax said the D10 satellite is the 6th such office, and the city is open to building more spaces outside downtown in the future.
“The advent and advocacy of several council members to create spaces in their districts where they can engage with their citizens – particularly many who can’t traipse all the way down to City Hall because they don’t want to deal with traffic and security issues – that was an opportunity for us. As they tried to do it in city facilities to reduce cost, I really appreciated that.”
Chief Hall was also a fan of the concept.
“We’re pushing community engagement and making sure we’re closer to the public,” she said. “Having district offices allows our officers to be involved day-to-day with the council – and you – so when you bring your concerns or issues to district offices, we’re able to respond in a much more rapid manner.”
The city has also activated City Hall on the Go, a specially-equipped van to provide services in neighborhoods. Residents may pay water bills, look up a warrant or handle a speeding ticket quickly and easily. The OurDallas mobile app similarly gives access to services without a trip to City Hall.
“[Councilmember McGough] loves to be out here,” added Broadnax. “He loves his citizens and really getting involved in issues that impact his citizens. The community is part of us, and we need to be out in the community.”
