Dallas presents economic and community development update, highlights mill site, 791 Main and farmers market

Charlie Mitchell, Dallas economic and community development director, told the City Council on Feb. 18, 2025, that his department’s Part 2 annual update would focus on building inspections, economic development and urban renewal and would recap accomplishments and near-term priorities.

The update matters because the Mill site redevelopment, the Lockrail/La Creole node and the 791 Main Street project together shape the city’s plans to increase commercially zoned land and boost tax increment for future services. Mitchell said the work now under way could affect future development, local jobs and the city’s general fund.

Mitchell said the department closed out calendar year 2024 with several items finished or in motion. “We received and achieved the National Historic District designation downtown,” he said, and the city launched a Dallas business inventory (DBI) and a proactive business retention-and-expansion program. The DBI is now populated with contact information for roughly 30% of Dallas firms, Mitchell said, and the retention…