Deadline Approaching for Love Your Block Grants in Dallas Neighborhoods
Share News:
All it takes to revitalize a neighborhood is a good idea and some funding. For residents who have the idea but not the funding, there’s still time to apply for a Love Your Block mini-grant aimed at supporting community-led projects. The deadline to submit a grant proposal is Sunday, March 15.
Now in its second year, the Love Your Block grant program is designed to give neighbors who are passionate about their communities the opportunity to improve the places they live.
“Love Your Block empowers residents to take ownership of neighborhood improvements while strengthening community pride and partnerships with the City,” said Code Compliance Director Chris Christian.
With support from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, the Love Your Block program brings city leaders and residents together to build stronger neighborhoods, one block at a time. The grants fund resident-led neighborhood revitalization projects — from transforming vacant lots into community gardens to repairing playground equipment or removing trash from a public right-of-way.
“The program supports cities as it enables residents to design, develop, and deliver programs and policies that improve communities,” according to the Love Your Block website.
Junius Heights Used Their Love Your Block Grant for Mural
The Junius Heights Historic District took advantage of the Love Your Block grant program last year, using its award to fund a mural honoring the historic 707 streetcar that once carried Junius Heights residents from their homes to downtown.
Brian Jackson, a Junius Heights Historic District member who completed the grant paperwork last year, said he viewed the mural as a way to spark a larger conversation about finding a permanent home for the 707 Streetcar. The mural was painted on the side of what used to be Mike’s Convenience Store at the corner of Tremont and Augusta.
“The whole idea of the mural is to help find it a home,” Jackson said. “We are trying to provoke thought and get the dialogue started on where to house the 707.”
Applications for the Love Your Block grant will remain open until March 15. Residents interested in learning more about the Love Your Block program in Dallas and accessing the application can visit kdbccs.org.
