Project Description
A principal client for Strategic Community Solutions from 1994 through 2003 was The Dallas Plan, a not-for-profit entity formed to assist the City of Dallas in strategic planning and implementation. This privately-funded organization developed a strategic plan for Dallas’ long-term future, a consensus-based plan that was adopted unanimously by the Dallas City Council in 1994 as the basis for “a new way of doing business”. Major initiatives focus on economic development, neighborhoods and investment in core city assets as the foundation for the future.
Ms. Walz served as Executive Director for The Dallas Plan. In this role, she managed the Dallas Plan staff and consultants and worked with Council members, City staff and community leaders to establish policy, create partnerships and ensure action to implement the plan. Some of the action projects for which Ms. Walz and The Dallas Plan played a major role since City Council adoption of the plan include:
- Management of public involvement in the Central Business District Signage & Way-Finding Study, which led to City Council approval in January 2003 of a creative and practical approach to helping visitors find their way around downtown Dallas;
- Creation of the “Dallas Biotechnology Strategy”, an economic development initiative that is designed to make Dallas a center for this 21st century industry through land development, venture capital funding and other actions by the city, county, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and the private sector;
- Implementation of the “Biotechnology Strategy” through leadership in international economic development outreach, coordination of a monthly networking breakfast, completion of a major research report on the industry and leadership in developing a joint action plan for public and private interests;
- Service as part of the “Center of Development Excellence Steering Committee” for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which has created the region’s adopted set of Principles for Development Excellence;
- Leadership in Dallas’ consideration of ‘smart growth’ concepts, through organization of a successful community symposium and technical team to propose policy changes;
- Sponsorship of two successful Community Action Conferences as part of the Creating Our Future Trinity process, including national speakers, field investigation of areas along Dallas’ Trinity River, team identification of project opportunities for economic development and community revitalization in these areas and agreement on action projects to reach goals;
- Four citywide Neighborhood Fairs (participation by over 100 neighborhood groups, businesses and service providers);
- Leadership of a project to evaluate future opportunities for the Cadillac Heights neighborhood along the Trinity River in southern Dallas;
- Development of a West Dallas Community Planning Strategy, the first comprehensive study of a neglected part of Dallas; involving businesses, residents and community organizations and producing a set of goals, strategies and a list of specific projects for stakeholders to implement;
- A Center City Transportation System Management (TSM) Study, evaluating all modes of transportation in the central part of Dallas and designing a set of multi-modal recommendations to meet the needs of residents, downtown businesses and cultural institutions, and the workers and visitors who travel to this area;
- Involvement with the Greater Dallas Healthy Communities initiative to include health and quality of life issues in the planning and action by public agencies, non-profit organizations and social service providers in the Dallas area;
- Creation of an innovative Internet site and other communications tools for The Dallas Plan;
- Leadership and involvement in many citizen and public agency programs for the Trinity River Corridor that address flood protection, transportation, recreation and open space, economic and community development and environmental management;
- Development of partnerships with the City of Dallas and over 150 business and community organizations to carry out implementation of The Dallas Plan; and
- Research and publication of reports that document progress made by the City of Dallas and the Dallas community toward the goals established by “The Dallas Plan”.
Project Details
- Project TypeStrategic Planning, Comprehensive Planning, Area Plan, Public Engagement, Plan Implementation
- ClientThe Dallas Plan
