U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett announced a funding boost for the MLK Jr. Community Center in Dallas this week, presenting the city with a $2.5 million federal grant aimed at upgrading and expanding the facility.
The funding is set to enhance the center’s overall capacity, ensuring it continues to serve as a vital resource for the surrounding community.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua, representing District 7, spoke on his appreciation for the funding and the various positive impacts that have come along with it for the center.
“This funding is more than an investment in a building, it’s an investment in the future of South Dallas. This center is truly a one-stop shop for our residents, providing services like fresh produce, senior care, workforce training, and serving as a key voting location during election seasons,” Bazaldua said in a press release published by the city earlier this week.
The federal grant will facilitate substantial improvements at the center, allowing for a redesign of spaces to better meet community needs. Planned enhancements include the creation of multi-purpose flex rooms, new meeting spaces, the addition of a “teaching kitchen,” improved storage and upgraded restroom facilities, according to the city.
As noted by Bazulda, The MLK Jr. Community Center serves as a hub for essential city services, serving tens of thousands of residents each year through various programs and events. The center also partners with organizations such as the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and the Dallas Civil Rights Museum.
The community center houses an administration building, the Foremost Family Health Center, the MLK Branch Library, the MLK Recreation and Senior Center as well as ChildCareGroup facilities.
Additionally, the main facility has also served as a cooling center during the extreme heatwaves that hit North Texas earlier this summer, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
With this new federal grant, the MLK JR. community center hopes to strengthen its role as a cornerstone of support for South Dallas and the Fair Park area.