PILLAR: Sustainable
AGENDA DATE: August 25, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 7
DEPARTMENT: Department of Transportation and Public Works
PRIORITY: Infrastructure
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SUBJECT
Title
A public hearing to receive comments to amend Ordinance No. 20860, “City of Dallas Thoroughfare Plan” to remove Colonial Avenue between Pennsylvania Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize an ordinance implementing the change - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
*In alignment with Thoroughfare Plan.
Body
BACKGROUND
The City of Dallas Department of Transportation and Public Works has requested an amendment to the City of Dallas Thoroughfare Plan to remove Colonial Avenue between Pennsylvania Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Colonial Avenue is on the Thoroughfare Plan as a community collector with the designation of a two-lane undivided roadway within 56 feet of right-of-way and 36 feet of pavement (S-2-U).
As part of Texas Department of Transportation’s S.M. Wright Freeway project improvements, Colonial Avenue between Pennsylvania Avenue and Peabody Avenue has been closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. While vehicular and pedestrian traffic will still be permitted between Peabody Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the lack of through access between Pennsylvania Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (two thoroughfares on the Thoroughfare Plan) means that Colonial Avenue will no longer function as a collector thoroughfare south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
St. Philip’s School and Community Center has applied for an abandonment of Colonial Avenue between Pennsylvania Avenue and Peabody Avenue to make improvements to their campus. For a property owner to abandon this roadway, Colonial Avenue must first be formally removed from the Thoroughfare Plan.
Removing Colonial Avenue between Pennsylvania Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from the Thoroughfare Plan will not result in the removal of the roadway from the local roadway network until the abandonment requested by St. Philip’s is approved by City Council ordinance. Colonial Avenue between Peabody Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will not be abandoned or removed from the local roadway network and will be regulated by City of Dallas design standards for local streets.
Staff recommends approval to remove Colonial Avenue between Pennsylvania Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On November 7, 2024, the City Plan Commission Thoroughfare Committee acted on this item and approved a motion to hold the application.
On June 11, 2026, the City Plan Commission Thoroughfare Committee acted on this item and followed staff’s recommendation to approve the application.
On July 23, 2026, the City Plan Commission acted on this item and followed staff’s recommendation to approve the application.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.
MAP
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