Dallas City Hall is counting on "Neighborhoods Plus" to boost neighborhoods and keep middle class families from leaving for the suburbs.
"Dallas has always been the number one location in the region for jobs. We want Dallas to be the number one place in the region to raise your family," said Dallas Chief Planning Officer Theresa O'Donnell.
The Dallas City Council voted Wednesday on strategies to implement six key goals of the program, promoting collaboration and the middle class, fighting poverty and blight, expanding home ownership and rental options.
Dozens of agencies that serve Dallas neighborhoods are involved in the partnership program, including schools, hospitals, transportation and social service providers.
O'Donnell said "Neighborhoods Plus" is an entirely new approach to boosting city communities.
"This absolutely will be different. This is really the city reaching out and embracing partners," she said.
Dallas council members are generally enthusiastic.
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"I look forward to the application of it, the opportunities it presents," Council Member Erik Wilson said.
They also have concerns.
"I don't want it to be so big that we can't see successes," said Council Member Jennifer Staubach Gates.
Council Member Carolyn King Arnold was pleased that the program will be tailored to individual neighborhoods.
"We keep bringing outsiders in to tell us what to do in our neighborhoods," she said.
Neighborhoods are being selected to begin the program but the city eventually intends to make it citywide.
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