Proxy Properties Earns Tax Incentives for $10.6M Oak Cliff East Dock Redevelopment
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From a church to a hotel and now a vacant historic icehouse, Proxy Properties owner A.J. Ramler is proving he’s unstoppable in his efforts to complete revitalization and adaptive reuse projects in Oak Cliff.
The local developer was recently awarded about $2.7 million in tax increment financing funds to repurpose a 1915 icehouse into leasable commercial space.
Located at 900 E. Clarendon Drive, the 62,000-square-foot building — deemed the East Dock redevelopment project — will soon be home to offices, retail, and restaurants, Ramler said at an Oct. 23 Dallas City Council meeting.
The council awarded the developer an incentive package from the Oak Cliff Gateway TIF District to help finance the $10.6 million project. The Dallas TIF program identifies underperforming real estate in the city, works with private developers to implement redevelopment plans, and reinvests a portion of property tax revenues generated from new real estate development into the area to encourage the implementation of the redevelopment plan.
East Dock is the first project in the new Clarendon/Beckley/Kiest subdistrict after the Oak Cliff Gateway TIF was expanded east of Interstate 35 in 2022, according to the City’s D Economy newsletter.
Support for East Dock Project
The historic renovation project is in District 4 and was supported by that area’s representative, Councilwoman Carolyn King Arnold. District 1 Councilman Chad West also championed Ramler’s work and said he was pleased to use TIF funds from North Oak Cliff projects in his area to support East Dock.
“I love it,” West said. “It’s a Dallas-based person. We’re not giving money to some corporation that’s coming to Dallas. We’ve got a local person here with a team of local people … I think it’s a very appropriate use of the TIF.”
Architect Alicia Quintans said she lives in Beckley Club Estates near the Clarendon Drive site and is working with Ramler on East Dock.
“This east side of Oak Cliff is kind of yet to be developed,” Quintans said. “This project is very close to the Tenth Street Historic District and many neighborhoods. We are hoping this will be a catalyst for development and walkability in this area that is adjacent to the Dallas Zoo.”
The site is also close to a Dallas Area Rapid Transit station and the planned Southern Gateway Deck Park.
Small business owner Bill Farrell said the East Dock project will bring much-needed revitalization to the area.
“The project’s plan to restore the old icehouse while creating a space that welcomes both residents and visitors is a great example of how development can honor the past while looking toward the future,” Farrell said.
Ramler’s Plans For East Dock
When Ramler sets out on a new venture, he brings with him an almost unheard-of level of support from surrounding residents and business owners. The developer has completed more than 50 projects in Oak Cliff including the Oak Cliff United Methodist Church, the Madison Hotel, homes, offices, industrial uses, and retail.
“We focus on historic preservation,” Ramler said. “We’ve worked on four Dallas landmarks and we office in one of them.”
The East Dock mixed-use project will create jobs for entrepreneurs. Three small business owners have already expressed interest in relocating to East Clarendon Drive once the old icehouse redevelopment is complete.
Daymond Lavine, president of the Brentwood Trinity Heights Community Action Group, said the goals of the area can be accomplished through thoughtful, intentional construction.
“We need anchored spaces in the community with the voices of the stakeholders built right in,” he said. “Please stand behind this project. I 100% support it.”
