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    • Dallas Catalyst Project: Forest District

    In 2018, we introduced a new neighborhood revitalization initiative called the Dallas Catalyst Project (DCP) to focus The Real Estate Council’s philanthropic resources on a single distressed North Texas neighborhood. The first community selected for participation was the historic Forest District in South Dallas, in partnership with nonprofits St. Philip’s School & Community Center, Cornerstone Baptist Church, and Forest Forward. Together, we completed several impactful real estate investments that enhanced public safety and infrastructure, supported mixed-income and affordable housing, increased job preparedness and wealth creation opportunities, and improved the quality of life for residents.

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    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

    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 in 2025
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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: $847,500
    • 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 Spring 2024
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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
    • Estimated Cost: $201,000
    • 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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    Community Partners