Deep Ellum is fortunate to possess two great assets: its people and its history. In the name of progress, vast tracts of Deep Ellum will be demolished. In past two years, hundreds of of people have moved their businesses elsewhere. The exodus has eroded the tax base, morale, property values and ushered in era of urban decay. No matter how many assets it has, a community lives or dies, blossoms or withers on the quality and shared vision of its people and its leadership or the failure of it’s leadership.

Crippled by devastating neglect, we are taking action to fight crime, abandonment, and demolitions, plus the deteriorating street scape and a sagging quality of residential life

The strategy opens the door for Deep Ellum with a future, instead of just a past.
Continued strengthening and growth requires one necessary component: contributing residents. The program is being developed and implemented by people interested in boosting the neighborhood, not themselves. The objective of the marketing program is to attract committed owner-occupants.

“We are going to resolve our problems and improve our neighborhood by encouraging people to purchase buildings which are for sale.” This objective can be achieved by doing what existing neighborhood residents can do best: talk frankly and enthusiastically about the neighborhood.

The focus is to attract new, dedicated owner-occupants, a group recognized as essential for long-term stability and strength of community.

• Historic Preservation: Create Partnerships with Dallas Historical Society and Preservation Dallas and the National Register of Historic Places. Historic preservation depends upon effective communication with diverse constituencies. Citizens on local commissions and preservation advocates need to present issues, pitch for public support, engage public and private partners, and educate public officials. Whether the goal is saving a building from the wrecking ball or passing legislation, effective advocacy from the community is critical.
• Encourage Restoration of Existing Buildings: Work with the city of Dallas and Mayor to create a Neighborhood Revitalization Zone and request Community Development Block Grants to encourage owners to rehabiltate buildings.
• Encourage Entrepreneurs: We need help in assisting existing Deep Ellum businesses with marketing to grow their business. We also need to encourage Dallas Entrpreneurs to invest in our neighborhood with winning concepts.
• Infrastructure Repair: Beautification and upkeep of the neighborhood. Provide sanitation services and work closely with the Dallas Police Department to keep the streets safe and clean for residents and visitors. Streetscape Improvement. Graffiti Removal. Sidewalk Repair Program. Advocacy & Special Events Marketing. Neighborhood Security. Other initiatives include creating more green space, replacing failed infrastructure such as broken streetlights, graffiti removal, acquiring new street furniture.
• Community Oversite of the PID: Create a highly qualified community board, together with a series of public reviews. The community over sight board keeps the public fully informed on how their tax dollars are being spent along with external controls. The ultimate responsibility for the financial well being of Deep Ellum’s continuous improvement efforts to provide sound financial stewardship. Align annual budget with the District Strategic Plan and state statutes, prioritize funding, and provide opportunities for community input.
• Parity in Property Tax Assessment
• Encourage Land Owners to maintain and improve their properties and Care for Historic Property