South Dallas residents’ hopes for transformation with the proposed 25-story Winners Tower.
DALLAS — For an area that has experienced its share of losses, many South Dallas residents are hoping for a win.
“More so than ever, we’ve got to stick together,” said Hank Lawson, Pointe South Revitalization Committee.
That’s where that unity starts. “The biggest concern that I have is making sure that we’re at the table with the kind of businesses we want here,” said Cydney Walker, a South Dallas resident.
The kind of business residents, such as Walker, are considering feels bigger than anything South Dallas has seen in the past. They’ve been presented with the proposed Winners Tower, a 25-story skyscraper on Martin Luther King Blvd.
“When I heard a 25-story tower, I went, ‘Oh, that’s going to be really tall over here because it’s flat,” said Walker.
The proposed $240M mixed-use building would include a hotel, luxury condos, a helipad, and small business offices.
“If you look at any street in America named Martin Luther King, what do you say is overlooked negatively,” said Edward Okpa, Winners Tower Lead Adviser and Consultant. “We think the time is right now to do something other than what is there.”
Okpa and the tower’s developers said the building would bring more jobs and resources with its grocery store, bank, and medical services.
“We want to make it a prestigious destination for people to come to,” said Okpa.
However, some residents fear being displaced.
“Statistically, not everybody will be able to stay. You have a huge renter population over here,” said Walker.
Developers said they want to use tax increment financing to pour the projected $10 million in tax revenue a year back into South Dallas. They also pledge $50 million towards local activities.
“We want to change the narrative. Put our money where our mouth is,” said Okpa.
First, the city has to consider rezoning the area in order to build a skyscraper in the location.
“This is a great time for the residents of South Dallas and the newcomers to make South Dallas what we want it to be,” said Walker.
Making South Dallas a community that residents want it to be is what they call the ultimate win.
Winners Tower will host a community meeting on July 9 at 6:30 p.m. at 1709 MLK Jr. Blvd.