Jul 3, 2009 10:06 pm US/Central
New Development Good News For South Dallas
Reporting
Jack Fink
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
It could be a one of a kind project for Dallas' southern sector.
A planned development of homes, shops, offices, and a grocery store that promises to create thousands of jobs.
The project is called the Westmoreland Urban Campus, and investors hope to break ground in a year and a half.
Paul Castillo has lived here in North Oak Cliff for 37 years. He's glad the old cement plant and debris just across Westmoreland Road are now gone. Castillo says, "We've seen a lot of stuff being thrown there, dumped garbage, trees."
Crews have removed 20,000 tires and other debris from the site. Castillo says he's happy to hear about a new 200 acre, $1 billion planned development which has views of downtown Dallas.
Over a ten year period, the project will include single family houses, townhomes, and maybe a high-rise condo.
The two main investors behind the project, the INCAP Fund and Stratford Land Company also hope to attract corporate headquarters, hotels, a movie theatre, national retailers, and a major grocery store.
Lauren Odell, of INCAP Fund and project planning director says they are, "services that aren't anywhere else in the southern sector that are really needed there."
All told, the project she says will create 5500 jobs and generate $270 million in annual retail sales.
Project managers say what's unique about this land is the topography. There are trees, a creek, and they will create a series of retention ponds that are a part of green space for the public.
Bob Stimson is president of the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, which just endorsed the project Friday. Stimson says, "To be able to come in behind and get offices, high end residential and combine that into a walkable community, it's truly a first of its kind in the southern sector."
The next step, project managers hope the city plan commission will re-zone the property July 9th. It will then go to city council. Investors say there's no known opposition.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Ft. Hood Victims Include Newlywed & Mom-To-Be 43 mins ago 
Stumble It!
