On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Dallas City Council unanimously adopted the Historic & Cultural Preservation Strategy!! Read the plan below.
The City of Dallas is committed to reducing racial
disparities and assisting close-knit historically marginalized communities in
preserving their history and culture. This Strategy introduces a vision and
mission for the City’s enhanced historic and cultural preservation functions to
serve as pillars that clarify the City’s purpose and role in preservation. Many
of Dallas’ most powerful stories do not have an architecturally significant
building to house them. Many of the best tools of preservation are
also tools of economic development, sustainability, affordability, arts and
culture, and small business functions that exist across City departments. For
these reasons, the Strategy broadens the role of the City’s historic and
cultural preservation efforts beyond the Historic Preservation program within Dallas Planning & Urban Design. The ultimate intent is to best utilize the City of Dallas’ resources to make
Dallas a place where a diversity of histories and cultures are evident,
protected, and celebrated.
VISION
The City of Dallas envisions a future where our city’s
diverse histories and cultures are evident, protected, and celebrated. We
aspire to enrich the lives of today’s residents by embracing the history and
culture of their communities. We envision a city where future development
recognizes and responds to Dallas’ past. Preserving history and culture is a
non-negotiable, integral part of equitable and authentic growth.
MISSION
Through its historic and cultural preservation tools and
regulations, the City aims to support Dallas communities—including property
owners, residents, and community organizations—in their efforts to preserve and
conserve the places that are important to them.
STAFF CONTACT
Marcus Watson
ADVISORY BODIES
Historic and Cultural Preservation Stakeholder Steering Committee
The Historic and Cultural Preservation Stakeholder Steering Committee met monthly to inform the engagement and strategic planning process, helping the Office of Historic Preservation team to center the voices of key communities with historic and cultural preservation needs in the strategic plan. The committee is made up of 15 individuals with expertise in their neighborhoods and backgrounds in architectural and cultural preservation, real estate development, community organizing, anti-displacement, and racial equity and history in Dallas.
| Brent Brown, Co-Chair | Founder, bulidingcommunityWorkshop |
| Amber Sims, Co-Chair | Founder, Young Leaders, Strong City |
| Stephanie Drenka, Member | Founder, Dallas Asian American Historical Society Founder |
| Denise Johnson, Member | Founder, Dallas Asian American Historical Society Founder |
| Taylor Toynes, Member | Executive Director, For Oak Cliff |
| Priscilla Escobedo, Member | President, Dallas Mexican American Historical League |
| Teresa Coleman Wash | Executive Artistic Director, Bishop Arts Theatre Center |
| Leslie Nepveux, AIA NCARB | Founder, Veux Deux Design |
| Marcel Quimby | Principal, Quimby Preservation Studio |
| Shalondria Galimore | President, South Central Civic League
Founder, Melissa Pierce Project |
| Larry Johnson | Tenth Street Resident Association |
| Evelyn Montgomery | Director/Curator, Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture |
| Stephanie Champion Martinez | Chief Community Development and Policy Officer, Builders of Hope CDC |
| Victoria Clow | President, Preservation Dallas |
| David Preziosi | Executive Director, Texas Historical Foundation |
Landmark Commission
The Landmark Commission informs the engagement and strategic planning process with their expertise about the City's historic districts and their residents. The commission is regularly updated on the strategic planning process and joins the Steering Committee, Office of Historic Preservation staff, and leadership from other City Departments in leadership workshops.
Interdepartmental Core Team
The Interdepartmental Core Team consists of leadership from Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, Public Works, Development Services and Inspection, Parks and Recreation, the Office of Arts and Culture, and the Office of Economic Development. The Core Team is accountable for identifying areas where the strategic plan for historic and cultural preservation overlaps with other City plans, policies, and programs; coordinating implementation efforts across departments; and developing accountability structures that ensure ongoing commitment to the strategic plan's implementation.