Dallas ISD Could Force Out Business Owners to Build New Elementary in Northeast Dallas

Tucked in between an accountant's office and an antique mall, not far from the intersection of Skillman and Abrams, Merriman Park Automotive has been a neighborhood auto shop in Northeast Dallas for nearly half a decade.Owner Kevin Prestridge has worked at 6824 Walling Lane for nearly 30 years. His father opened Merriman Park Auto's doors in 1972; the Lake Highlands location for hamburger joint Jake's Uptown, which sits at the corner of Walling Lane and Skillman, was once the spot for his family's Exxon station.All that history could be history, depending on Dallas ISD's plans.Prestridge and several other business owners could be forced to move if DISD decides that it wants to build a new elementary school on that stretch of land. In November, the district sent notice to several business owners on Walling Lane, informing them that the district "intends to acquire the property ... for public school purposes" - and would use eminent domain if needed.DISD will hold a community meeting with business owners and Merriman Park and University Manor homeowners associations at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Jill Stone Elementary, to discuss the potential action.  Continue reading...