​Far west oak cliff (FWOC) Report

The Far West Oak Cliff study was initiated by Councilmember West to study the far west area in District 1  to identify key assets, challenges and opportunities.

​SUMMARY

Council District: 1

Location:

The area extends from I-30 in its northern boundary down to a few blocks south of W. Illinois Ave. to the south, from Westmoreland Rd to the east to Loop 12 in the west. 


Vision:
In September 2023, Councilmember Chad West formed the Far West Oak Cliff Task Force with the purpose of studying the area to identify city-owned assets and to determine opportunities for development, historic preservation, and quality of life, among other possible topics of focus. This report will provide a review of information collected by the Task Force and a presentation of key findings and recommendations. The report will serve as guidance to District 1 Councilmember’s office and to other City departments as they engage the community and address challenges and opportunities in this area.


Background:
In 2023, Dallas City Council boundaries were shifted based on the results of the 2021 Redistricting Commission. One of the results of this process was the expansion of Council District 1 further westward into an area being labeled as Far West Oak Cliff (FWOC). In September 2023, Councilmember West formed the task force with the purpose of studying the area in yellow on the map below.

 

View Map Here

Summary:  
Key findings in the report are organized into 6 sections:  

​​Neighborhood Revitalization:
Certain neighborhoods in this area contain substandard infrastructure as well as challenges around housing conditions. Most pivotally, the area has a lack of neighborhood organizations to educate residents and promote interaction with key City services. Conditions are documented in this report with a series of recommendations to begin addressing these issues.

Commercial and Corridor Revitalization:
Given the flourishing commercial development in areas immediately to the north and east, the study area is primed for new development and presents many opportunities along multiple commercial corridors. The main east-west corridors, Davis and Illinois, could greatly benefit from vehicular and pedestrian street improvements to support existing businesses, encourage new development, and promote walkability and greater safety.

Neighborhood Capacity Building:
While there are several active neighborhood-based organizations in the Oak Cliff area, Far West Oak Cliff contains a notable absence of such organizations. The consequences of this lack of representation are seen in each of the issues identified in this report. Work is already underway
to identify residents who would be interested in forming organizations, with more support and momentum needed moving forward.

Dallas College, Mountain View Opportunities:
As part of the Dallas Community College system, the Mountain View campus is a thriving institution that is in the process of expanding its programs as well as physical development on its campus. There exist several opportunities for partnership with the City of Dallas and other public agencies, as well as greater physical connections to the surrounding corridors and neighborhoods. The college is currently working on a master land plan for its campus. The Task Force noted the college possesses a large unused land area fronting Illinois that has the potential to be activated with retail/mixed-use development.

Green and Open Space Development:
While this area of Oak Cliff contains significant environmental assets, many of them have no direct access or connection to the adjacent communities. This report provides recommendations to activate the area designated as Joey Georgusis Park and the planned, and partially funded, Chalk Hill Trail. 

Neighborhood Planning Context and Opportunities:
There is a current lack of recent planning efforts in the FWOC area. This section will review recent neighborhood planning efforts from adjacent neighborhoods that highlight several issues and recommendations similar to those in this report. It will also recommend a neighborhood planning process for the area known as “Pinnacle Park”, an area facing a complex mix of uses, new development, and future open/green space opportunities.


Read Far West Oak Cliff Study


City Contacts

​Brian Price
Senior Planner
Planning & Development Dept.
brian.price1@dallas.gov
​Jake Ettinger
Policy Advisor & Community Liaison
Council Office, District 1
jake.ettinger@dallas.gov