Overview:

The Dallas City Plan Commission has unanimously denied a proposal to rezone land for a 15-story mixed-use project called Winner’s Tower, which was seen as a symbol of progress for South Dallas. While supporters saw the project as a way to provide much-needed services and opportunities to the area, others raised concerns about leadership, transparency, and whether the project would truly benefit South Dallas residents. Commissioners cited a lack of community agreement and limited trust in project leadership as reasons for denying the zoning request.

Reporting for this story done by Gracie Kennedy of Dallas Documenters. Learn more about Documenters here.

A Big Vision for MLK Boulevard Meets a Hard “No”

DALLAS — A proposal to rezone land at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Colonial Avenue for a 15-story mixed-use project called Winner’s Tower was unanimously denied this week by the Dallas City Plan Commission, despite emotional testimony from residents, business owners, and faith leaders in South Dallas.

RELATED: Winner’s Tower at MLK: Bold or Bust?

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Supporters framed Winner’s Tower as a symbol of long-overdue progress for a neighborhood that has endured decades of disinvestment. The project promised a commercial hub featuring a bank, market, church, community services, residential units, and health care offices — all within one development.

But others, including some within the very church backing the project, raised questions about leadership, transparency, and whether South Dallas residents would truly benefit.

Supporters Say It’s a “Need,” Not a “Want”

One of the most impassioned speakers was a Dallas nonprofit owner who works directly in community outreach. He called the Winner’s Tower proposal not just a want, but a need for South Dallas residents and businesses, describing the project as an anchor for opportunity and stability in an area too often left behind.

Another supporter, a member of Winner’s Assembly — the church spearheading the project — shared his personal journey. He credited Pastor Raphael and the church’s outreach programs with helping him overcome drug addiction and homelessness, saying the same compassion that helped him rebuild his life could now help rebuild the community.

A local business owner and church member echoed that sentiment, calling the proposal a “testimony” to what Winner’s Assembly has already done in the neighborhood. He saw the project as both a faith-driven mission and a promising business opportunity — one that could finally connect spiritual care, entrepreneurship, and community service under one roof.

Division Within: A Church Member’s Challenge

Still, unity didn’t last long. Another member of Winner’s Assembly — this time speaking in opposition — delivered a sobering critique that shifted the tone of the hearing.

He argued that the church needed to “better organize itself before expanding services,” pointing to unfulfilled promises and “stagnant support” for members still waiting for help or job opportunities.

His words captured a growing tension familiar to many in the neighborhood — between the desire for progress and the fear of being left behind by it.

Developers Promise Local Investment

In response, a representative for the Winner’s Tower development team pushed back, emphasizing that the project’s “core sentiment is community inclusion.”

He pledged that at least 40% of the construction work would be done by South Dallas-based contractors, keeping dollars circulating locally. The team also framed the project as a way to attract much-needed businesses and services to MLK Boulevard without displacing current residents.

Despite those reassurances, trust remained the sticking point.

Commissioners Cite Lack of Trust, Unanimously Deny Zoning

After over 40 minutes of public comment, Commissioner Wheeler motioned to deny the zoning request, citing “a lack of community agreeance” and “limited trust in project leadership.”

Wheeler noted that even though the proposal had support, it didn’t appear to have broad endorsement from South Dallas residents themselves. Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion, agreeing that while the project might look good on paper, it risked becoming “detrimental to South Dallas residents” without stronger accountability and grassroots collaboration.

The motion passed unanimously, stopping the zoning change that would have allowed the development to move forward.

A Pattern of Promises — and Disappointment

The decision adds to a growing pattern of big development ideas in South Dallas that never quite deliver. Over the past decade, the community has been the focus of numerous industrial and mixed-use zoning proposals, most of which have failed to yield meaningful local benefits.

While many projects promise jobs and revitalization, residents often report seeing few results — and sometimes higher rents or reduced affordability in their wake.

For longtime neighbors along MLK Boulevard, Winner’s Tower represented yet another test of whether new investment would truly center the needs of the people who already call South Dallas home.

What’s Next for MLK Boulevard

For now, the land at MLK and Colonial will remain unchanged. But the discussion it sparked — about who gets to shape the future of South Dallas — is far from over.

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