Dallas City Council Approves Bond Funding for Emmitt Smith-led Development, Ends Library Fines

Dallas taxpayers will help the NFL’s all-time rushing leader get a shuttered Oak Cliff building back on its feet.The City Council on Wednesday awarded a $750,000 grant in bond funding to a development company owned by former Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith for renovations to the old Urban League headquarters on South Lancaster Road.Wednesday’s agenda also included other long-discussed items, such as a new equity plan, restrictions on developers from blocking sidewalks and the elimination of library fines.Here’s a look at those votes and what they will mean.Emmitt Smith developmentThe former Cowboys great and his team plan to re-purpose a 29,686-square foot property -- directly across from the VA Medical Center — into retail space and a community office center at a cost of $4.4 million.The agenda item promised the redevelopment could bring as many as 200 jobs paying $13-an-hour into the area.  Continue reading...