Bottom District’s Rebirth is Now Coming to Fruition

Efforts between the city and community partners began in the early 2000s to champion a more vibrant, sustainable and inclusive future for the Bottom District that would create affordable housing, encourage economic development and facilitate community building. Those efforts are now coming to fruition.

Texas Heavenly Homes, Texas Capital Bank and community stakeholders recently broke ground on the Bottom District, a 126-acre community redevelopment located adjacent to the Trinity River levee on the southeast side of downtown Dallas. The $110 million revitalization plan includes up to 400 new homes adjacent to the Trinity River priced from the $200s.

“We’ve been planning this project for some time and are developing an amazing conclave of both affordable and market rate housing,” said Carolyn King Arnold, Dallas city councilwoman for District 4. “The city is making an investment here to move forward, and we are poised to bring back this historic and vibrant community.”

Arnold has also led the charge for new infrastructure in the Bottoms, which has removed properties from the flood plain, and added WiFi to help break the digital divide.

The Bottom was once a vital commercial district with family-owned businesses. Its decline began during the Great Depression and was further solidified in the 1930s when the levees destroyed a portion of the community built into today’s floodway. Currently, 70 percent of the land is vacant lots and some of the plumbing in the area is 150 years old.

“Our goal is to revitalize this area steeped in culture and history without changing the eclectic character of the community,” said Dick LeBlanc, president of Texas Heavenly Homes, which is building up to 85 new homes. “The area’s proximity to downtown and the Trinity River, combined with its available lots offers a great opportunity for infill development while enhancing the streetscape of the neighborhood.”

The first houses will be built on North Denley Drive. Construction will occur in phases based upon when the new infrastructure is put in place. Texas Capital Bank is providing financing for the project.