The City of Dallas has commissioned University of Texas at Arlington to help with the Dallas Executive Airport development project. The airport is a part of the "Grow South" initiative within the city's Economic Development agenda.
Dallas Executive Airport sits on 1,000 acres and is in the southern sector of Dallas within the Oak Cliff neighborhood. The airport is 10 minutes from downtown and has close access to every major thoroughfare.
Because of its location, there has been a concentrated effort to utilize the 480 acres of undeveloped land that surrounds the airport.
Before the construction begins and plans are made, the City of Dallas wants the community's input. UTA's Institute of Urban Studies will conduct four phases of surveys and public meetings.
"There is a lot of potential growth surrounding the airport," said Shima Hamidi, Director of the Urban Studies Department at UTA. "The city of Dallas wanted us to determine the impact for residents and how redevelopment will grow the economy."
"Students will help with the research; these are students working on their doctorate within areas of architecture, design, urban planning, and public policy. The city is calling this 'inclusive economic development,' providing training and hiring opportunities," said Hamidi.
Surveys revealed residents were concerned about excessive noise, quality of sidewalks, walkability, transit accessibility, and housing affordability.
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"They are concerned about gentrification in this place. They think, 'that's great if you can come up with solutions that improve quality of life, but is this going to be affordable for us to live in this neighborhood anymore? Do we need to move out of this neighborhood,' and they are sharing with all of us these concerns," said Hamidi.
Amid gentrification concerns, residents would like to see the development project enhance the neighborhoods and families that are currently living in the area.
"I would like to see more jobs for the teens and young adults," said Kim McDonald, a mother who also works in the area.
Community enrichment, such as revitalized parks and centers for the youth were also areas of interest for residents.
"For the past ten, fifteen years there has been nothing done to develop the southern portion of Dallas," said father and Army veteran Franklin Alexander. "I would like to see more opportunities for the youth, more for them to do," said Alexander.
The first public meeting had an attendance of 100 people. The research team from UTA contacted residents in dozens of communities within a 2 mile radius of the airport.
"The people who have been here traditionally, ought to reap some of the benefits of the rebuild," said Samuel Brown. "I have a family business here, my family is here, and I have great memories growing up in this neighborhood. I don't want the businesses and higher property tax to drive us out," said Brown.
The results from the first phase of surveys and public meeting should be available on the City of Dallas website this week.
