However, the city's campaign, the largest of its kind here and permissible under state law, could significantly jumpstart economic redevelopment.
Supporting the effort already are owners of at least 300 properties comprising more than 240 acres of West Dallas, many of which are along or near Singleton Boulevard, a commercial strip that is showing signs of rebirth. As part of the Trinity River project, the city recently widened the boulevard and is committed to Singleton becoming a prominent gateway into these neighborhoods.
After the city secures the landowner signatures, the council will sign off on the arrangement and make its case to state environmental officials in Austin, who we hope will give it a green light.
This newspaper has spent considerable time the last 18 months urging the city to take extraordinary steps to right past wrongs in West Dallas and other neglected neighborhoods. This is an example of the city doing just that, and it deserves praise for this ambitious attempt to lay groundwork for a new West Dallas. |
