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    • Dallas Catalyst Project: Forest District

    Helping Make A Difference

    In 2018, we introduced the Dallas Catalyst Project (DCP) as a place-based neighborhood revitalization initiative among TREC Community Investors and three nonprofit partners: St. Philip’s School & Community Center, Cornerstone Baptist Church, and Forest Forward. These organizations continue to team up to help make a difference in South Dallas’ Forest District.

    Throughout the initiative, TREC members have served as project managers for the three community organizations and provided pro bono professional services, technical assistance, and fundraising support.

    Dallas Catalyst Project Goals

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    Promoting equitable development

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    Improving the quality of life for residents

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    Increasing job preparedness and wealth creation opportunities

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    Enhancing safety and infrastructure

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    Supporting mixed-income and affordable housing

    By the Numbers

    22

    completed projects

    11

    projects funded through grants

    $3 million+

    invested by TREC Community Investors

    $144 million+

    in additional outside investment into the community

    $1.2 million+

    in pro bono services and technical assistance

    6,000+

    hours volunteered by TREC members

    120,983

    square feet of space redeveloped

    42,013

    residents served

    Our Partners

    Forest District Project Spotlights

    1632 MLK Boulevard Retail Project

    • Project Scope: Restoration and renovation of 12,000 square feet of retail space on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
    • Goals: Improve quality of life, jobs and wealth creation, infrastructure improvements, neighborhood revitalization
    • Estimated Cost: $1.8 million
    • Status: Expected Completion by 2024
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    Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Museum and Learning Center

    • Project Scope: Restoration of a museum and learning center built in 1924 that provides educational programs and meeting space to an average of 500 South Dallas residents annually
    • Goals: Improve quality of life, jobs and wealth creation, infrastructure improvements
    • Estimated Cost: $293,000
    • Status: Completed 2023
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    MLK Food Park

    • Project Scope: Creation of a temporary food park through a community-led incubator to highlight food insecurity, promote small businesses, and spur policy changes
    • Goals: Infrastructure improvements, jobs and wealth creation, community engagement, neighborhood revitalization
    • Estimated Cost: $218,000
    • Status: Completed 2021
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    Southpoint Community Market

    • Project Scope: Renovation of vacant retail space to provide access to fresh and healthy food options, household items, and jobs and skills training for the community
    • Goals: Improve quality of life, jobs and wehalth creation, infrastructure improvements
    • Estimated Cost: $790,000
    • Status: Completed 2021
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    The Grace at Holmes

    • Project Scope: Renovations to exterior of an apartment complex, including landscaping and building repairs
    • Goals: Infrastructure improvements, neighborhood revitalization
    • Estimated Cost: $52,000
    • Status: Completed 2021
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    Men of Nehemiah Exercise Center

    • Project Scope: Create a recreation area for men housed in a soberiety program.
    • Goals: Improve quality of life
    • Estimated Cost: $10,000
    • Status: Completed 2022
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    South Dallas Cloud Kitchen

    • Project Scope: Renovation of a vacant retail space to provide local entreprenaurs with a space to grow their small businesses.
    • Goals: Jobs and wealth creation, infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization
    • Estimated Cost: $535,000
    • Status: Completed 2023
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    The Hub on MLK

    • Project Scope: Convert former liquor store building into community hub and pop-up space
    • Goals: Create safe public gathering space for Forest District residents, community leaders, and local entrepreneurs
    • Status: Completed fall 2023
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    Royal Oak Apartments

    • Project Scope: Renovate infrastructure of existing Forest District apartment building
    • Goals: Update safety and security measures and create safe gathering space for residents
    • Status: Completed fall 2023
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    WeCycle Resource Center

    • Project Scope: Transform vacant building into bicycle repair shop, educational facility, and safe community gathering space
    • Goals: Provide free or low-cost alternative transportation to residents 
    • Status: Completed summer 2019
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    Cornerstone Community Laundromat

    • Project Scope: Renovate vacant property within The Crossing shopping center into low-cost community laundromat
    • Goals: Develop infrastructure for Forest District residents to clean clothes without having to leave neighborhood
    • Status: Completed summer 2019
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    DISD MLK Learning Center

    • Project Scope: Renovate DISD facilities including teacher’s lounge, classrooms, and outdoor dining area
    • Goals: Enhance quality of education for students and faculty
    • Status: Completed spring 2021
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    The Winners Assembly

    • Project Scope: Replace exterior lighting and fencing
    • Goals: Improve public safety
    • Status: Completed spring 2022
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    The Crossing

    • Project Scope: Construct welcome signs for The Crossing shopping center and its businesses
    • Status: Completed spring 2023
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