Historic Preservation


Historic & Cultural Preservation Strategic Plan

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.


Read the final & adopted Historic & Cultural Preservation Strategy 
Leer Plan Estratégico de Preservación Histórica y Cultural

STAFF CONTACT
Katherine Singleton


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-ChairFounder, bulidingcommunityWorkshop
Amber Sims, Co-ChairFounder, Young Leaders, Strong City
Stephanie Drenka, MemberFounder, Dallas Asian American Historical Society Founder
Denise Johnson, MemberFounder, Dallas Asian American Historical Society Founder
Taylor Toynes, MemberExecutive Director, For Oak Cliff
Priscilla Escobedo, MemberPresident, Dallas Mexican American Historical League
Teresa Coleman WashExecutive Artistic Director, Bishop Arts Theatre Center
Leslie Nepveux, AIA NCARBFounder, Veux Deux Design
Marcel QuimbyPrincipal, Quimby Preservation Studio
Shalondria Galimore President, South Central Civic League
Founder, Melissa Pierce Project
Larry JohnsonTenth Street Resident Association
Evelyn MontgomeryDirector/Curator, Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture
Stephanie Champion MartinezChief Community Development and Policy Officer, Builders of Hope CDC
Victoria ClowPresident, 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.