Don't miss a story. Like us on Facebook. Like 435K

Staff Photographer

J U N 1 3

Dallas City Council votes to pitch in $22 million forDallas City Council votes to pitch in $22 million forRed Bird mall redevelopmentRed Bird mall redevelopment

Tristan Hallman, Dallas Hub Editor

D A L L A S C I T Y H A L L

The $157 million mixed-use redevelopment of Southwest Center Mall and the surrounding land

will get a major boost from Dallas taxpayers.

The Dallas City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to infuse $22 million into the project.

Southern Dallas council members, advocates and residents treated the vote and the redo of

the mall — often derisively called "Dead Bird" — as a milestone and a cathartic moment.

Peter Brodsky, the site's owner, said the money was necessary to create a transformational

development for the area. But he knew $22 million was a whopper of a request.

"That is not lost on me at all," Brodsky said. "The reason for it is we have an aspirational project.

We are trying to provide a level of quality that doesn't currently exist."

ALL SECTIONS SUBSCRIBE

Red Bird might get its do-over before Valley View,which is unbelievable

COMM EN TA R Y

Brodsky's victory was a foregone conclusion by the time it came up Wednesday. He had won

plenty of political and community support since he bought the mall in 2015.

But the discussion before the vote had a dramatic flair. Red Bird supporters, many of whom

arrived at City Hall on a chartered bus, packed the council chambers. Longtime mall advocate and

protector Edna Pemberton, who likened Brodsky to a Western movie hero calling in the

cavalry, received a standing ovation from council members and the audience. Dallas County

Commissioner John Wiley Price also spoke briefly to thank city leaders "for what they understand

is the real future of this city."

And council member Tennell Atkins, whose district includes the mall, pulled out four binders, one

by one, to show the amount of paperwork Brodsky had to file with City Hall.

The return of Red Bird: Name is one of many changesplanned for lone southern Dallas mall

R E TA I L

"We're not giving him any money," Atkins said. "He earned the money."

And, Atkins added, southern Dallas is overdue for development.

"We deserve this," he said.

Photo Gallery 1/8

The proposed redevelopment is slated for 300,000 square feet of office space, a hotel and an acre

of green space. Two streets will be added through the property, and portions of the site that

currently are at a grade will be leveled. The city will require 100,000 square feet of new

construction as part of the deal, but about 100,000 square feet of the mall will be demolished. 

Dallas seniors to get a $1.4M health and wellnesscenter in Red Bird area

S O U T H E R N D A L L A S

(Rose Baca/Staff Phot

Brodsky said he's also talking to residential developers, and that the large parking lots could also

be developed in the future.

"We really want to make it a denser, more walkable urban environment," he said.

Brodsky hopes to get dirt turning on the project by the first few months of 2019.

The city's money will come from the 2017, 2012 and 2006 bond packages — a total of $10 million

— combined with a $12 million Chapter 380 loan at 2 percent interest over 15 years. The loan is

where the deal gets complicated; it will be secured with money paid into the Tax Increment

Financing District, which the mall shares with the Valley View Center site in North Dallas.

Robin Bentley, the city's assistant director of economic development, called it "a creative term

sheet" and "a difficult deal" that officials had to work through to get right.

Red Bird might get its do-over before Valley View,which is unbelievable

COMM EN TA R Y

Only council member Philip Kingston publicly asked questions about the figures of the deal

Wednesday, but he didn't do so in an adversarial way. And while he said malls are a generally bad

investment, he supported Brodsky's mixed-use plans and the make-up of the deal.

"Those numbers are large, but I feel like we're pretty well secured," he said.

Council member Adam McGough said he based his support largely on Pemberton's approval of the

deal. Mayor Mike Rawlings told Pemberton "the cavalry is here, baby." Kevin Felder, who

represents South Dallas, said community involvement, as well as the presence of black investors

and contractors, made him comfortable with the deal.

What's keeping $30 million in private money frommaking southern Dallas better?

E CO NOM Y

Randy Bowman, one of the black investors, said he was "betting on a set of beliefs" about

southern Dallas' residents and economic power. And among the supporters Wednesday at City

Hall was Robert Jimmerson, 35, of Concord Church, who grew up near the mall.

Jimmerson remembers getting his black pinstripe suit for prom and watching the Spike Lee movie

Crooklyn there.

Meet Mrs. P — one of the best-known Dallas womenyou’ve never heard of

DA L L A S

"It's a community I grew up in, so I always wanted to look out for the future of the community," he

said. "The ability to have the hotels, the ability to have the restaurants ... on this side of the city,

in the southern sector, that's major for me."

Brodsky said he wasn't surprised by the level of support and was hoping "the entire city would

rally behind" Reimagine Red Bird.

Starbucks joining effort to help revitalize Red BirdMall

R E TA I L

Recommended by

Stephenville woman texted before fatal crash, hid messages from investigators, police say

Carjacker tells Midlothian driver he's 'going to heaven,' so he grabs his own gun and says

'Let's go!'

Texas man groped, kissed 12-year-old girl who was scared to get on slide at water park,

police say

Did Texas woman’s political yard sign go too far? Sid Miller calls her out, and others call the

cops

Class canceled after adults threaten 'open hunting seasons' on 12-year-old transgender

Oklahoma girl

VIEW COMMENTS

By

MORE FROM DALLAS NEWS

D A L L A S C I T Y H A L L D A L L A S C I T Y C O U N C I L N E W S L O C A L P O L I T I C S D Y I N G M A L L S

B U S I N E S S

S P O N S O R E D S T O R I E S

Council member Scott Griggs, who called the redevelopment "a wonderful project," implored the

passionate supporters to keep up their support in the years ahead "when you're fighting the

construction that's about to happen."

Brodsky said he has to make sure the 110 or so businesses that are still in the mall can "survive

and thrive" during the construction.

"That ain't easy," he said. "There's going to be a huge amount of disruption."

NEWS

LOADING...

Definition

Rarely Seen Young Donald Trump PhotosReally Captures A Different Side Of OurPresident

Livestly

Chip and Joanna's $18M Mansion Makes TheWhite House Look Like A Hut

Weekly Penny

25 Must Have Gadgets That Are Selling OutThis Holiday Season

Bob's Hideout

[Photos] Cop Sees a Woman Walking EveryDay, Until He Follows Her and Realizes TheSurprising Reason Why.

About Us Careers

©2018, The Dallas Morning News Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Advertise

Contact Us

Special Sections

Al Día (En Español)

FAQ

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Site Map