To Ensure The Future of Oak Cliff’s Character, More Conversations Need to Happen
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Arts Mission Oak Cliff usually hosts a different kind of show, but the dance between development and preservation in the neighborhood illustrated by our “Alternatives to Demolition” panel discussion was just as riveting.
CandysDirt.com, Heritage Oak Cliff, and Preservation Dallas brought together people from Oak Cliff with developers, preservationists, and city staff for a discussion that absolutely needed to happen. The April 12 “Alternatives to Demolition: a Panel Discussion on Planned Development in Oak Cliff” was triggered by the alarm that sounded throughout the area after an entire block of W. 8th Street between Llewellyn and Adams was fenced off to prepare the 15 properties — many of which being affordable rental units — for demolition.
The properties, which are owned by Lennar Multifamily Corp., are destined to become high-end apartments in a neighborhood that traditionally provided workforce housing. It’s just one more incidence of what some call “superblock” development that has hastened the transformation of Oak Cliff’s historic areas from small-scaled multi-family to increasingly dense and tall clusters of buildings.
During the discussion, we took an honest look at the City of Dallas’ development strategies and how they enable this kind of massive redevelopment turnover that drastically changes the look and feel of neighborhoods practically overnight. Panelists included:
- David Noguera, Director of Housing at the City of Dallas
- Andreea Udrea, Assistant Director of Planning and Urban Design at the City of Dallas
- Paul Carden, Heritage Oak Cliff’s VP of Neighborhood Development
- David Preziosi, Executive Director of Preservation Dallas
- Nathaniel Barrett, Founder of Barrett Urban Development
- David Spence, Founder of Good Space
- Rick Garza, Davis Street Property Owners Group
Mayor Pro Tem Chad West welcomes the audience. 
Mr. West, who represents North Oak Cliff’s District 1, was a co-host of the panel discussion. 
West is a believer in communication, he said, and was glad to see so many people invested in the community. 
Developer Nathaniel Barrett talked about adaptive reuse and how the City of Dallas can help save buildings. 
The panelists included developers, preservationists, and city staff. 
Many people attended the panel discussion at Arts Mission Oak Cliff both in person and via live stream. 
Candy Evans with event sponsor Lisa Peters of Caliber Home Loans 
City of Dallas planner Andreea Udrea with Candy Evans 
A panel attendee with Rick Garza (center) and Candy Evans 
From left to right: Nathaniel Barrett, Candy Evans, David Spence, Rick Garza, David Preziosi, Andreea Udrea, Paul Carden, and David Noguera
Of course, Oak Cliff is no stranger to this issue. PD 830 — the document that governs what can and cannot be built in the area surrounding the Bishop Arts District — has been a flashpoint. After the 15 properties formerly owned by a local family and purchased by LMC were replatted, it allowed the owner to build this kind of large-scale development by right. Essentially, there’s no way to fight the destruction of these homes in this area. Not even the city’s demolition delay can help.
It was a lively and enlightening talk that gave audience members a chance to hear directly from city staff that have a hand in this policy.
So how can residents be more proactive instead of reactive? How can we shape our communities in a more inclusive and efficient way? Watch our panel discussion below and be a part of the conversation.
