We’ve already lost iconic businesses and buildings downtown, including beloved local landmarks like Neiman Marcus and Bank of America. AT&T is also potentially joining the troubling exodus. How much more loss can downtown Dallas endure before we demand change?
Imagine a downtown Dallas that doesn’t just exist – it sparkles, thrives, and pulses with energy. No more complacency or accepting decline as inevitable. The time to fight for our city’s soul is now.
Prominent Dallas figures have voiced deep concerns about our downtown’s deteriorating state. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson recently warned, “We cannot allow downtown to become synonymous with homelessness and neglect. It’s time for bold, decisive action.” Dallas business leader Mark Cuban echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing, “A vibrant downtown is critical for attracting talent, businesses, and tourists – neglecting it jeopardizes our city’s future.”
The Texas Legislature recently introduced two critical bills – House Bill 4078 by Representative Jeff Leach and Senate Bill 2594 by Senator Mays Middleton – that focus squarely on revitalizing our Public Improvement Districts (PIDs). These laws bring accountability, transparency, and enhanced resources to breathe fresh life into our struggling downtown district.
Downtown Dallas Inc. (DDI) has done commendable work with limited resources. Imagine what they could accomplish with stronger backing:
- Significantly improved public safety, creating a secure environment day and night.
- Aggressively addressing urban blight, transforming neglected spaces into dynamic community assets.
- Bold beautification projects, reshaping downtown into an irresistible urban jewel.
- Vibrant, bustling areas filled with holiday festivities, trendy restaurants, and inviting shopping experiences.
The cost to Dallas citizens? Minimal. The benefits? Enormous:
- Enhanced quality of life and leisure opportunities for everyone.
- A captivating destination for conventions, boosting tourism and generating thousands of jobs.
- Stemming – and reversing – the troubling departure of major businesses such as Bank ofAmerica, Neiman Marcus, and the potential loss of AT&T.
- Increased sales tax revenue benefiting the city and state.
- Rising property values, providing additional revenue for city services, local schools, and county initiatives.
While this PID does not directly include entities like the Dallas Mavericks, it substantially enhances the exposure and attractiveness of downtown Dallas, located just 1.5 miles from major venues like the American Airlines Center, indirectly benefiting every organization, business, and resident within close proximity.
Recent developments have sparked concerns about the Mavericks’ future in Dallas. The Irving Planning and Zoning Commission is considering rezoning a 1,001-acre area in Irving for a mixed-use resort, potentially including a 15,000-seat stadium that could serve as a new home for the Mavericks. Additionally, the Mavericks’ lease at the American Airlines Center is set to expire in July 2031, and while team officials have expressed a desire to remain in Dallas, the allure of new facilities elsewhere poses a tangible risk.
We stand at a crucial crossroads. Dallas must choose vibrancy and action over complacency. Let’s reclaim the excitement and legacy that make our city extraordinary.
Dallas, the time to act is now. Our city’s future is in our hands!