Dallas’ Hensley Field is one of Mayor Eric Johnson’s top priorities, as the former naval airbase is expected to be transformed into a profitable enterprise for the city.
The redevelopment plan for the former base includes business offices, waterfront properties, restaurants and corporate headquarters, Fox 4 News reported. Last year, the Dallas City Council unanimously approved a $2 million contract with a firm selected to plan a waterfront development on the shores of Mountain Creek Lake.
“Spent the morning at Hensley Field and I am even more excited about the redevelopment opportunities at this one of a kind site. Hensley has some of the most gorgeous water frontage in Dallas, plus 700+ acres of developable space,” Robin Bentley, City of Dallas Office of Economic Development Director, said in a May 14 tweet.
The Mayor’s office replied to Bentley’s tweet, saying the redevelopment master plan for the base began last year.
“One of our top economic development priorities. @Johnson4Dallas has met with multiple federal officials about remediating this site, and last year, the city council funded a master plan for redevelopment,” the Office of Mayor Eric Johnson said in the tweet.
Johnson told NBC DFW that the redevelopment will be a unique opportunity for the city.
“The redevelopment of Hensley Field is a unique economic opportunity that could produce tremendous benefits for Dallas residents,” Johnson said.
Hensley Field, located between Dallas and Grand Prairie, is among 15 Opportunity Zones created in Dallas with the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, NBC DFW reported.
Hensley Field first opened in 1928 as a U.S. Army Air Field. In 1943, it became Naval Air Station Dallas. After the navy withdrew from the area 20 years ago, portions of the far west side, along Jefferson Boulevard, were turned into storage until returned to the City of Dallas in 1998.
No information was given on when cleanup of the former base, or when construction of the redevelopment plans will begin.