Jaime Resendez Champions Palladium USA’s Southeast Dallas Transit-Oriented Development
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An underutilized Dallas Area Rapid Transit parking lot is destined for a walkable mixed-use development with about 300 housing units, greenspace, and recreational opportunities.
Southeast Dallas Councilmember Jaime Resendez liked the project — presented by local developer Palladium USA — so much that he promoted it in two languages from the horseshoe on Nov. 13.
Concerns about density, traffic, and tree removal were raised by residents who live near the site at South Buckner Boulevard and Elam Road near DART’s Buckner Station. Resendez said he understood the scrutiny but this “won’t be a situation where, once built, the developer leaves and the project is forgotten.”
“There will be a security guard on site to ensure safety remains a priority,” Resendez said. “The developer has a proven track record, as seen in other developments they built and continue to manage, and we’re committed to making sure this project meets the community’s expectations.”
So what exactly is the project?
Maxwell Fisher of Palladium USA said this is the first of five transit-oriented developments the developer is proposing in Dallas. The City Council’s approval comes less than two months after the ForwardDallas 2.0 comprehensive land use plan identified a desire for multifamily housing near transit corridors, but Fisher said his team has been working on these projects for over a year.
The developer provided renderings of “Palladium Buckner Station” during the Nov. 13 council meeting but they were not visible to the viewing public nor were they included in the supplemental agenda items.
The mixed-use project will include 274 “flats” across four stories and two-story townhomes. Two parking garages, a 7,500-square-foot clubhouse, and a 1,600-square-foot community room are planned.
Resendez said he was proud to support the project that represents nearly $100 million in affordable housing and transit-oriented development “in a district that has been long overlooked when it comes to significant investment.”
“For too long, this corridor has been dominated by an extremely high concentration of auto-related uses such as used car lots and mechanic shops,” he said. “Our city is in dire need of more affordable, high-quality housing, and this project would be a much-needed step in the right direction.”
Transit-Oriented Development
Councilmember Paula Blackmon said the project exemplifies what city leaders have been trying to do: convert empty parking lots into better uses.
“And then you’ve got a state highway; I mean, it’s perfect,” she said. “This is where the future is going, with this transit-oriented development.”
Resendez agreed and added that the project would enhance connectivity and public safety.
“The proposed 40-foot-wide pedestrian connection to the DART station would feature enhanced landscaping and improved paving, making it safer and more accessible for both residents and the general public,” he said. “This could encourage more use of public transit and reduce our reliance on cars, benefiting the environment, while improving access to job opportunities for residents.”
Addressing the gallery in both English and Spanish, the councilman said there has been an extensive public engagement process including town hall meetings, a luncheon at the Southeast Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and a tour of another Palladium project.
“It’s clear that the majority of residents recognize the positive impact this project would have on our district and the opportunity it brings for much-needed housing, economic growth, and community-building infrastructure to this long-neglected area,” Rensendez said. “This project marks a turning point for our district. It’s about more than just housing. It’s about creating a safe, welcoming, and vibrant community in a district that hasn’t seen new housing developments in 20 years.”
