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 fo...
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