DALLAS, TEXAS — South Dallas is taking a major step toward community-driven reinvestment with the launch of the Sunny South Dallas Public Improvement District (PID)—a resident-led initiative aimed at strengthening public safety, improving neighborhood infrastructure, and supporting long-term economic stability in one of Dallas’ most historic and culturally significant communities.
If established, the Sunny South Dallas PID would generate approximately $9 million over the next decade, with all funds kept within the district and directed by a community-guided service plan. The proposed investment would bolster lighting, cleanliness, beautification, business support, and overall neighborhood infrastructure.
The proposed PID boundaries stretch from Interstate 30 (north) to Pennsylvania Ave. and Fitzhugh Ave. (south), Washington Street (east) to Botham Jean Boulevard (west).
Sign up for our free newsletter to receive original, on-the-ground reports from the DFW area three times per week!
To ensure full transparency and resident participation, the PID Steering Committee will host a series of public information meetings across November and December.
Public Meeting Schedule
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 — 6:00 PM – *event has passed*
Saturday, November 22, 2025 — 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 — 6:00 PM (listed twice; verify official schedule)
Saturday, December 13, 2025 — 11:00 AM
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 — 6:00 PM
Village Bridge Community Center
2111 S. 2nd Ave., Dallas, TX 75210
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 — 6:00 PM
Each meeting will cover:
What a PID is and how it works
PID boundaries and assessment rates
Allocation of funds
Public safety and beautification priorities
Benefits for local property owners
How residents can shape the PID’s final plan
How the PID Would Invest in South Dallas
According to the draft petition plan, the proposed annual budget prioritizes services residents have repeatedly ranked as urgent:
Public Safety (42%)
Security patrols, lighting improvements, safety initiatives
District Beautification (20%)
Clean-up crews, litter removal, streetscape improvements
Business Retention & Recruitment (7%)
Support for existing businesses and new investment
Capital Improvements (7%)
Sidewalks, lighting, signage, and infrastructure upgrades
Marketing & Promotion (6%)
Branding, events, and district storytelling
Administration & Auditing (14%)
Reserves (4%)
The investment plan aligns with the South Dallas/Fair Park Area Plan adopted by the City of Dallas and reflects years of community advocacy for safer streets, stronger commercial corridors, and visible, sustained reinvestment.
Importantly, residential property owners age 65 and older with a homestead exemption will not be assessed, protecting long-time residents and seniors.
Community-First Leadership
“This PID isn’t about pushing people out—it’s about bringing resources in,” said Scottie Smith, II, PID Steering Committee Chair. “For too long, South Dallas has waited on others to prioritize our safety, our streets, and our economic future. This PID puts that power directly back into the hands of the people who live here. We’re choosing reinvestment, not displacement.”
Smith added:
“Clean neighborhoods, safe streets, thriving businesses—these aren’t luxuries. They’re the basics every community deserves. The Sunny South Dallas PID creates a stable, long-term way to fund those improvements and keep South Dallas strong for generations.”
The effort is backed by residents, small business owners, faith leaders, and community advocates who want direct influence over how improvements are delivered.
A Growing Movement for Local Control
The Sunny South Dallas PID represents a broader movement toward economic empowerment and community-driven decision-making in South Dallas. It builds on long-standing efforts to reduce blight, strengthen commercial corridors, and prepare the neighborhood for future Fair Park–area investment.
The initiative is anchored in a community mantra repeated throughout PID meetings:
“We’re not waiting for change… we’re creating it, together.”
How Residents Can Get Involved
Residents and property owners can:
Attend any of the upcoming public information sessions
Learn more or sign up for updates at www.sunnysouthdallas.org
Contact the PID Steering Committee at hello@sunnysouthdallas.org
Volunteer with outreach, petition gathering, or neighborhood communications
Join a sub-committee focused on public safety, beautification, or business development
About the Sunny South Dallas Public Improvement District
The Sunny South Dallas Public Improvement District is a community-led effort designed to create a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous South Dallas through locally controlled funding. The PID seeks to strengthen public spaces, support local businesses, enhance public safety, and ensure equitable development that benefits the people of South Dallas. Learn more at www.sunnysouthdallas.org
Support Our Work
With the support of readers like you, we can continue to create thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community.
Related