The new $4 billion redevelopment plan for the International District will be located north of I-635, in between the Dallas North Tollway and Preston Road, next door to the Galleria mall. Plans for the mixed-use, walkable neighborhood include a 20-acre park, 10,000 new homes, restaurants, and arts and entertainment venues.
Jaynie Schultz represents District 11, where the redevelopment project will be located.
“It’s going to bring in the millions of tax revenue that’s going to help everywhere, across the city,” she said.
Schultz said the project will also help Dallas compete with the suburbs.
“We’ve lost so many corporate relocations, we’ve lost residents, and this is our chance to gain some of that back — as well as the new people that are pouring into Dallas,” she said.
In a press release, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said he hopes the rebranding of the project will help amplify the voices of the global community, and bring international businesses to the area.
He said the city has "immense untapped potential."
"The International District is a wonderful opportunity to boost our city’s presence on the global stage while also transforming an underutilized area into an amazing gathering place that all of our residents can enjoy,” Johnson said.
The area may also become the site of a new Dallas Independent School District location. In November 2020, voters approved a Dallas ISD bond package that included $75 million to build a new pre K-12 school near the International District.
Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said the school will be built in partnership with the North Dallas Chamber and Texas A&M University-Commerce.
“The Pre K-12 International District STEAM Academy will provide a unique opportunity for students to enter pre-K and study STEAM from a global perspective, with that knowledge building as they progress through 12th grade,” he said. “As the Valley View/Galleria area becomes the International District, the school will be a genuine reflection of that theme.”
The city’s also working on street improvements on Monfort Drive to reduce traffic to four lanes instead of six, add bike lanes and improve walkability. City officials say they expect that project to be finished by the end of 2022.
The new International District will be funded by the City of Dallas, local developers, businesses, and private foundations and individuals.
Got a tip? Email Rebekah Morr at rmorr@kera.org. You can follow her on Twitter @bekah_morr.
KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gifttoday. Thank you.
