A bridge to our city’s future

Southern Gateway Park (SGP) is a once-in-a-generation challenge that has the very actual potential to remodel our metropolis each economically and culturally. Slated to open in 2024, this five-acre deck park in Oak Cliff, which is at the moment below building above I-35, will appeal to an estimated 2 million guests yearly and generate almost $1 billion in its first 5 years.

But to make this imaginative and prescient a actuality, we want your assist. We should unite our group — use our voices and {dollars} to help this challenge.

Why? Simply put, investing in southern Dallas’ improvement is crucial to our city’s general improvement.

Consider this: 60% of Dallas’ landmass is within the southern sector, however that space represents simply 10% of our tax base. This is a big alternative to enhance prosperity by means of development. Additionally, there are six Dallas ISD faculties inside a mile of the park, and the world-class Dallas Zoo is true subsequent door. The park is completely poised to be a catalyst for optimistic, sustainable change. It is not going to solely present innumerable alternatives to enhance the world’s economic system and atmosphere, however it can additionally turn into a logo of southern Dallas as a regional vacation spot, identified for its wealthy historical past, vibrant tradition and distinctive magnificence. It will probably be a spot that fosters connectivity, creativity, training and wellness.

Key to the park’s success is the Southern Gateway Equitable Development Plan (EDP). It’s the results of a year-long analysis and stakeholder engagement course of that harnesses the concepts and priorities of greater than 500 space residents, group leaders, native companies, and non-profit organizations. But it’s not merely a plan on paper. The EDP is a residing roadmap that may assist us obtain our shared purpose of making an inclusive, revolutionary, welcoming, entertaining area that displays the splendidly numerous neighborhoods the park will serve.

In addition to the EDP, there are two volunteer teams serving to information and help the event of the park: the Southern Gateway Community Advisory Council and the Southern Gateway Alliance.

As co-chairs of the Southern Gateway Alliance, our shared accountability is to promote this challenge and transfer Dallas ahead. We love this metropolis and have devoted a lot of our lives to making it higher by advocating for our neighbors and for our kids. Together, we will and can make sure that this group grows in order that its residents usually are not pushed out or left behind. Together, we will and can flip previous challenges and present frustrations into optimistic, tangible ends in Southern Dallas. It will probably be our collective legacy, one in all which we will all be proud.

This is a challenge that every one of Dallas can get behind as a result of that’s the sort of metropolis we’re, and intend to stay. We’re the sort of metropolis that invests in all our neighborhoods and uplifts all our communities — a world-class metropolis with world-class infrastructure constructed by world-class residents.

Now is the time for you to step up and get entangled with this (actually) groundbreaking effort. This challenge is really by and for the group. Donate to the park. Tell your City Council and different elected officers that you simply help public funding within the park. Be a part of the dialog by becoming a member of our SGP group at southerngatewaypark.org and observe us on social media. Join us and assist write the subsequent chapter in Dallas’ exceptional story.

Ron Kirk and Mike Rawlings are former mayors of Dallas and co-chairs of the Southern Gateway Alliance. They wrote this for The Dallas Morning News.

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