STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Growing
AGENDA DATE: April 23, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 2, 14
DEPARTMENT: Office of Economic Development
EXECUTIVE: Robin Bentley
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a public hearing to be held on May 14, 2025 to receive comments on proposed amendments to the Project Plan and Reinvestment Zone Financing Plan (“Plan”) for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Eleven, the Downtown Connection Tax Increment Financing (“TIF”) District (“Zone”) to: (1) add a provision to the Plan for a directed sale of the current City-owned parcel of land (approximately 1.09 acres) addressed as 660 N. Griffin Street and the current location of Fire Station No. 18 in as-is condition and at fair market value in accordance with Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code and Chapter 272 of the Texas Local Government Code; (2) reprogram $6,980,602 in 2006 NPV dollars (approximately $17,561,516 in total dollars) from the Redevelopment of Vacant/Underutilized Downtown Buildings, Underdeveloped Parcels, Surface Parking Lots line item to the Public Safety Building line item in the Downtown Connection Sub-district budget to support the relocation and construction of a new Fire Station No. 18 facility in the Zone; and (3) make corresponding modifications to the Zone’s Plan; and, at the close of the public hearing, consider an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 26096, previously approved on August 29, 2005, as amended, to reflect these amendments - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
Body
BACKGROUND
In 2005, the Downtown Connection TIF District (“TIF District” or “Zone”) was initiated by property owner petition and, and created by City Council to serve as a long-term funding tool for public capital investment in the core of downtown and to support redevelopment of vacant/historic buildings and, underutilized/-vacant surface parking lots.
On June 22, 2022, City Council approved an amendment of the Zone’s Plan by Ordinance No. 32249 to support the significant investment in public infrastructure, such as roadways, water, sewer, storm drainage, sidewalks, lighting, mixed-income housing, etc required to facilitate high-density redevelopment of vacant and underutilized parcels and buildings in the TIF District. A key component of the June 2022 Plan amendment was the addition of a Public Safety Building line item to the budget of each sub-district in the Zone. Funding capacity in each sub-district’s budget was allocated to this line item to support the replacement of two antiquated Dallas Fire Rescue stations downtown, Fire Station No. 18 in the Downtown Connection Sub-district and Fire Station No. 4 in the Newpark Sub-district.
Fire Station No. 18 is addressed as 660 N. Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75202 and is approximately 12,330 square feet in size. The station was constructed in 1975 and now the facility is functionally obsolete and beyond its useful life. The station does not adequately address current and future fire safety needs of existing and planned development in downtown Dallas. Current conditions at the station include increased maintenance and repair requests for issues with the electrical system, HVAC, plumbing and overhead doors, emergency vehicles can only access station’s apparatus bays by backing into them from Griffin Street, open sleeping areas that do not provide any privacy, and restrooms and showers are co-located without any gender separation. The City’s current budget and 2024 Bond Program did not allocate any funding to the renovation or replacement of the existing Fire Station No. 18.
The proposed Plan amendments are required to facilitate: (1) funding the design and construction of a new Fire Station No. 18 facility and (2) upon completion and acceptance of the new fire station and site, facilitate the directed sale of the current City-owned fire station property (660 N. Griffin Street).
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 8, 2005, the City Council held a public hearing and authorized the establishment of Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone Number Eleven, the Downtown Connection TIF District by Resolution No. 05-1779; and Ordinance No. 26020, as amended.
On August 29, 2005, the City Council authorized the Project Plan and Reinvestment Zone Financing Plan for the Downtown Connection TIF District by Resolution No. 05-2544; and Ordinance No. 26096, as amended.
On February 1, 2025, the Downtown Connection TIF District Board of Directors and the Downtown Dallas Development Authority Board of Directors reviewed and recommended approval of the proposed TIF District Plan amendments.
The Economic Development Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on April 7, 2025. <https://cityofdallas.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=13705678&GUID=66477A18-F821-499E-9AA2-90F4D0A3557D>
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.