The Dallas City Council authorized an agreement on May 27 to convey approximately seven acres on Lancaster Road to the national nonprofit Veterans Community Project for the development of VCP Village, a transitional housing community dedicated to veterans experiencing homelessness. The agreement will see 7.33 acres of city-owned land across from the VA Medical Center transferred to Veterans Community Project, which will construct and operate a village featuring about 50 cottage-style tiny homes and a community center. The nonprofit will also provide on-site supportive services aimed at guiding veterans toward permanent housing.
The property has been owned by the City since 2015, with previous development attempts through multiple requests for proposals proving unsuccessful. Following the most recent RFP process, the Office of Economic Development worked with Council Member Maxie Johnson to explore new nonprofit partnerships. Veterans Community Project was selected as a partner due to its nationally recognized model currently operating in five states.
“This is more than a housing project; it is a community of care that honors our veterans and moves us closer to ending veteran homelessness in our city,” said City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert.
In other economic news, the historic Cabana Motor Court Hotel at 899 North Stemmons Freeway has officially reopened as Cabana Design District after more than ten years vacant. The restored building now provides 175 new apartments, including 70 affordable units for households earning between 30% and 80% of area median family income. This redevelopment was made possible through up to $41 million in Design District tax increment financing funding along with federal housing and historic tax credits. Developer Sycamore Development partnered with Hunt Capital Partners to preserve many original architectural features while delivering much-needed new housing in downtown Dallas.
Additionally, HNTB Corporation has relocated its downtown Dallas office from Bryan Place to Ross Tower, occupying an entire floor designed for regional headcount growth amid increasing infrastructure demands in the Metroplex region.
