With demolition crews clearing the last remnants of debris from the former Valley View Mall, the development of Dallas Midtown’s first mixed-use development can finally get underway.
Local developer Scott Beck, CEO of Beck Ventures, revealed on Tuesday his plans to erect a mixed-use building featuring 26,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, as well as 275 units of upscale apartments.
Project details for Dallas Midtown were released at a local press conference attended by The Dallas Express. The event served as a showcase for the successful demolition of Valley View Mall and the formal announcement of Dallas Midtown’s first construction project.
“Today marks a new chapter in this story,” Beck said during the press conference. “We see the fully demolished Valley View Mall and the future sight of what will become Dallas Midtown.”
Beck said that Dallas Midtown was not just a series of structures but a testament to the spirit of unity and innovation in Dallas. If development goes according to plan and market conditions do not deteriorate, Beck said that Dallas Midtown has the potential to become a “vibrant hub where people can live, work, and play all in one place.”
“Envision a mixed-use village on a parcel of land — larger than uptown – that will redefine the North Dallas landscape and bring a robust new tax base to our beloved city,” Beck said.
In terms of a project timeline, Beck said he plans on getting the necessary permit applications into the city over the next several months and to have a permit in hand and ready to go within the next 90-120 days.
However, Beck noted that the recently reported cyberattack against the City of Dallas could end up impacting the permitting timeline. Ultimately, by the time the project’s permit application is submitted to the city, Beck said cyberattack-related delays probably would not be an issue anymore.
Still, to ensure an expedited permitting timeline, Beck Ventures plans to use the City of Dallas Development Services Department’s (DSD) Q-Team during the pre-development phase of the permitting process.
The Q-Team is an alternate plan review process provided by the DSD that allows applicants to pay a fee for an expedited plan review.
“That process should have us in the ground no later than the first quarter,” Beck said.
Dallas City Council Members were also on hand for the announcement.
“There is not a community meeting that I go to, no matter what the subject matter is, where when I open it up for Q&A, somebody does not ask me, ‘Hey, what’s going on with Valley View?'” said Council Member Gay Donnell Willis of District 13.
“Now, I am able to tell them about the extraordinary International District and the plans for a 20-acre park. I tell them about what an incredible anchor project Dallas Midtown is and how it will bring the dollar density that we need to help bring all the rest of this to life,” Willis said.
For Council Member Jaynie Schultz of District 11, the development of Dallas Midtown is an important step in the fulfillment of the vision set forth over 10 years ago by city leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, the development community, and neighbors.
“I’m pleased to be standing here this morning for the final demolition and clearing of the Valley View site,” said Schultz during the press conference.
“There is no better location in our city to bring people from the Northern communities back into Dallas, for North Dallas residents to gather together, and for visitors from all over the world to experience the true spirit of Dallas, which is to welcome everyone,” she said.
“The vision for the district is well underway, and there is more to come as we prepare for a forward-thinking 21st-century development that celebrates, encourages, and inspires the diverse people and businesses of North Texas,” Schultz said.
As far as additional projects in Dallas Midtown, Beck said that there are plans in place for another apartment building, a hotel, and even an office building. However, future projects will only be driven by favorable market conditions, which the U.S. currently lacks, he said.
Even though the economy appears to be slowing, given the Fed’s 10 consecutive rate hikes since March 2022, Beck said he hopes the development of the first mixed-use building will serve as a catalyst for additional projects within Dallas Midtown.
“Ultimately, all these things will really be market-driven, though,” Beck explained.