STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Economic Development
AGENDA DATE: April 10, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Department of Planning and Urban Design
EXECUTIVE: Majed Al-Ghafry
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SUBJECT
Title
A public hearing to receive comments on the adoption of the City of Dallas Historic and Cultural Preservation Strategy; and, at the close of the public hearing, consideration of a resolution authorizing the City of Dallas Historic and Cultural Preservation Strategy - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
Body
BACKGROUND
Since 1973, the City of Dallas Historic Preservation Program has sought to save the places and buildings that make Dallas special, including architecturally significant neighborhoods, buildings important to Dallas’ diverse communities, and the homes of prominent Civil Rights leaders such as Juanita J. Craft. The program’s accomplishments have occurred despite fluctuations in funding, staffing, and political support, which have generated systemic administration challenges. At present 4 Department of Planning and Urban Design staff and 1 Code Compliance officer, safeguard 21 historic districts and over 130 individually landmark buildings by ensuring that any proposed change to a designated property is vetted rigorously prior to approval. Currently, there is no capacity for proactive preservation planning, resident assistance, strategic collaborations with neighborhood groups, or the development of user-friendly, customer-oriented tools.
In 2022, in tandem with the equity-centered re-examination of other City policies such as the Economic Development Policy, historic preservation was identified as a compelling candidate for a mission update and operational review, with the goal of correcting chronic challenges. In November 2022, the Dallas City Council, Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee requested that staff conduct extensive engagement to develop a community-vetted vision for the City’s historic preservation efforts, then offer a strategy for how to realize that vision. This Strategy is the outcome of that charge.
Through its recommendations, the Strategy seeks to:
• Correct longstanding capacity and resource challenges;
• Provide resources to residents in every single council district - not just those with historic districts;
• Eliminate barriers that have prevented historically marginalized communities from fully participating in or benefiting from the City’s preservation resources;
• Break down silos between City departments that have limited the impact of the City’s preservation, affordable housing, sustainability, and economic development efforts; and
• Create innovative new programs and tools to directly address the priorities of marginalized communities.
SUMMARY
title
This Strategy aligns the City’s approach to historic and cultural preservation with community needs by updating the City’s resources, tools, and staff priorities. It articulates an equity-centered vision for the City’s preservation activities; identifies every City function that contributes directly or indirectly to preservation; and offers a whole-city operational approach to serving Dallas residents and neighborhoods. The Strategy is the cumulation of decades of Landmark Commission task force deliberations and a year of intensive community engagement with Dallas’ neighborhoods, preservation professionals, history advocates, and City staff.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Economic Development Committee and the Workforce, Education, and Equity Committee were briefed on the “Historic and Cultural Preservation Strategy” on March 4, 2024.
The City Council was briefed on the “Historic and Cultural Preservation Strategy” on April 3, 2024.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.