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Council hears Mill Site redevelopment constraints; Ash Creek relocation flagged as costly priority
Summary
Economic development staff told council the Mill Site Redevelopment Plan is adopted but constrained by Ash Creek drainage, easements and private ownership; relocation of Ash Creek is a costly early priority and staff proposed evaluating funding options including stormwater fee revenues and the South Dallas Urban Renewal District.
Charlie Mitchell, director of Economic & Community Development, briefed the council on the Mill Site Redevelopment Plan and said the city adopted the plan but faces technical, ownership and funding constraints before redevelopment can proceed. "The Ash Creek drainage is the is the big early stage project and also a very, very expensive one," Mitchell said, describing Ash Creek relocation and floodplain work as prerequisites to opening more of the site for development.
Mitchell and councilors noted the city does not own the Mill Site parcel, which limits the city’s ability to force or immediately deliver redevelopment. Mitchell said private ownership, easement uncertainty and the location of a planned street complicate sequencing: "this is not property that we own or control, and so it's really up to the private owner what they wanna do." Councilors and staff discussed phasing options: the project could be done in reaches so that a single reach is completed without requiring completion of the entire creek project.
On funding, staff noted the city collects a $16 monthly stormwater fee and that revenue could be used in part to debt‑service a project; Mitchell also pointed to the South Dallas Urban Renewal District as a potential long‑term funding mechanism, noting that district revenues are still building. Councilors urged staff to develop a financial plan and consider adding engineering work or the project to the CIP so the city can better assess costs and timing.
Next steps: staff will continue engineering work, prepare a financial plan that considers stormwater fee revenue and renewal‑district mechanisms, and return to council with options for phasing and CIP inclusion.
