A City Council decision leaves the Muchert Army Reserve Center, discussed at length here on Back Talk, one step closer to becoming a Dallas Parks and Recreation property.
The council has approved an agreement allowing the city’s proposed acquisition of the Northwest Highway center to proceed.
What does that mean, exactly? First of all, for background (and some heated commentary on the topic), visit this and this post, both by Keri Mitchell who has been following the story since before I joined the Advocate.
Basically, the center was subject to laws requiring it to be considered for use by homeless service providers. Now everyone seems to be pulling together to ensure that it won’t be used for that purpose, but by the Parks and Recreation Department instead.
It could be a while before today’s proceedings yield any tangible results. According to a press release out of Jeb Hensarling’s office, the proposal must now be reviewed and approved by HUD and by the U.S. Army, which could take up to a year.
Says Hensarling via press release, “I am very pleased with the progress made today. This is a win-win for the city, for the Lake Highlands and East Dallas community, and the nonprofits assisting our city’s homeless population. I am especially thankful for the leadership of City Councilmen Jerry Allen and Sheffie Kadane, as well as numerous city staff, including Theresa O’Donnell and Ryan Evans, who all worked tirelessly to secure this agreement. I also appreciate the assistance of my friend and colleague, Congressman Pete Sessions.”
Not sure exactly how this is helping Dallas’ homeless population. But you can read the report for yourself after the jump … maybe I just missed something.
Agreement Moves City Closer to Conversion of
Muchert Army Reserve Center as Parks Facility
DALLAS, TX — U. S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling (TX-05) applauded the Dallas City Council’s approval of an agreement that allows the city’s proposed acquisition of the Jules Muchert Army Reserve Center on Northwest Highway to proceed.
“I am very pleased with the progress made today,” said Hensarling. “This is a win-win for the city, for the Lake Highlands and East Dallas community, and the nonprofits assisting our city’s homeless population. I am especially thankful for the leadership of City Councilmen Jerry Allen and Sheffie Kadane, as well as numerous city staff, including Theresa O’Donnell and Ryan Evans, who all worked tirelessly to secure this agreement. I also appreciate the assistance of my friend and colleague, Congressman Pete Sessions.”
“It was a long process to get to this point today, but we have reached an agreement that meets the interests of the community as well as organizations assisting the homeless,” said Councilman Jerry Allen. “I appreciate the efforts by Congressman Hensarling and his staff throughout this effort. Their involvement was vital to ensure open lines of communications between the city and HUD.”
The Muchert Center, which was identified for closure during the 2005 round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), is subject to federal laws requiring initial consideration for the reuse of federal facilities to include discussions and negotiations with homeless service providers.
The city’s agreement with area homeless service providers, which was approved by the City Council this morning, provides for alternative avenues of cooperation between the city and non-profits for services and housing to assist the homeless. In addition, it should simplify HUD’s review of the city’s proposal to use the Muchert property and buildings as a park maintenance service center, community room for meetings and classes, and a trail head for access to the city hike and bike trail system.
“I also want to register my appreciation of HUD’s cooperation during this entire process,” added Hensarling. “The next step in this process is the U.S. Army’s approval of the property’s final disposition. I’ll be working with Army officials and am optimistic about a positive outcome in the coming months.”
