City economic development staff briefed the Dallas Economic Development Commission on recent grant awards, property leads and redevelopment activity at the commission’s meeting on Thursday.

Tyler, economic development staff, said two building-improvement grants totaling $50,000 were awarded during the most recent application round and that the program’s current leverage rate stands at about $2.40 in private investment for every $1 of urban renewal funds disbursed. “We received two applications, requesting $50,000 in total from the agency, for the building improvement grant program, and both were approved,” Tyler said.

The awards included funding to New Morning Bakery for roof and HVAC work and a grant for a property at 217 Oak Street to assist with ADA-related work as the owner converts a former residence to commercial use. The agency also re-opened an application window for a remaining $25,000 in the larger building-improvement fund; staff said that round closes in August and that the agency will consider award recommendations at a subsequent meeting.

Staff updates and property leads

City staff reported continued outreach on several potential redevelopment and marketing fronts. Staff said they submitted the mill site for an RFI returned through Business Oregon (dubbed “Project Save”), noting the site was under active marketing. Tyler said staff toured the West Valley Industrial Park and that staff have been in ongoing contact with two potential leads for the former Rite Aid property; one of those leads requested and received a pre-application conference and appears more advanced in their interest.

Vacancies and property status

Peter, representing the ownership group, told the commission that Fred Tebb & Sons, which had been leasing about 16,000 square feet in the former mill building, is vacating and the space is now listed for lease with commercial brokers. Staff said the city has sent letters to a separate privately owned vacant parcel with high weeds and is arranging a meeting with the owner to discuss industrial marketing and potential residential alternatives on other parcels.

TGM study and next steps

City staff said the Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) planning project with David Evans and Associates is nearly complete; staff expect to provide the final TGM report to commissioners at the next meeting. Some commissioners asked whether the report would include a specific rail-cost estimate; staff said that was outside the TGM scope but that a separate cost estimate request is being pursued with the railroad.

Ending

Commission members urged staff to keep marketing momentum, connect with site selectors and return the TGM final report to the commission. Staff said they will continue to process grant applications in the August window and follow up on the leads discussed at the meeting.