03/15/05  Harry Hines Development vs Homeless Shelter

          The following information most directly impacts people who live or have businesses in Northwest Dallas, but really affects all Dallas residents.

          Providence Mockingbird is a proposed project that will furnish affordable housing, as an "Intergenerational Complex".  This idea of mixing young and old is very popular in other states.   The site would be at the old Radisson Hotel at Harry Hines & Mockingbird.  The eight floors of the existing hotel tower would exclusively be senior citizen apartments.  There would be an additional 96 garden apartments for families (also available to seniors) around the property. 

         For some reason, State Senator Royce West is doing all he can to stop this project.  He says he opposes it because Dallas currently has housing projects where senior citizens and families live together.  Isn't this the way it used to be before crime got so out of control?  The young families learned from their elders, and children learned how to respect their elders.  Was this wrong?

        Several neighborhood leaders have tried to reason with the senator about the need for this project.  We got nowhere.  His response to me was disturbing.  Why is he doing this?  What does he stand to gain by pushing to stop this project?  What is his real reason?  Why is West so against it?   What is going to happen to this empty hotel should he get his way?  Why is Councilman John Loza cooperating with West against the interests of his own constituents? 

         It is rumored the Patel family (who own cheap run down motels in south Dallas) are interested in this site.  Others say it is a great location for a half way house for street people, serving as a transition site to house street people who are going through job training to get them off the streets.  That would be a BIG step back for Oak Lawn, Love Field and NW Dallas. 

          I guess I better start at the beginning.  I try to attend all City Council meetings.  Several weeks ago during open mike, Judith Sturrock offered to give the city $4 million toward a homeless shelter at the old Health South facility at 9713 Harry Hines).  Recently, during open mike, she mentioned 2 locations on Harry Hines for the shelter, the Health South facility and the Radisson Hotel at Mockingbird.  I started doing some research and learned the following:

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                                    HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

1.  I first heard about this project when Councilman Steve Salazar gave me a packet of information he had received about an affordable housing project proposed for the eight-story Radisson Hotel on Harry Hines.  At first, I was  suspicious because this was one of the properties Sturrock mentioned for a Homeless Shelter.  Along with several others, I did some background checking on this project and learned Provident Realty Group is in charge of this project.  They are well respected and have a reputation of turning around and making properties better in all of their projects around the metroplex.  

2.  On February 21, Provident Realty held a meeting in the evening in one of the small conference rooms at the hotel across Love Field to meet with the community and answer questions about this project.  Although John Loza told the Provident people his office would contact and invite community leaders, he never told anyone about the meeting.  We found out about it when someone in our group contacted Provident to inquire about the project.  Out of courtesy and because they wanted all involved, Provident invited us.  The 4 of us who attended were the only ones there. 

3.  Provident gave us a presentation.  It was followed by a Q & A period.  This project would have a mixture of age groups, "Intergenerational" complex - senior citizens and young families living together.  The 8-story hotel would be for senior citizens (155  apartments).  There would be 96 garden apartments for families.  Total 251 affordable homes for low income families.  Senior citizens become role models for kids who may live in single family homes.  Kids in turn enrich the life of older residents.  It is a win/win situation.

     We were all excited to hear a $20 MILLION project would help revitalize a blighted area.  The project makes sense because there are hospitals nearby which senior citizens need.  We were all happy that night, but things changed soon after.

4.  On February 23, the City Council was to vote on this project (it needs state funding for low-income housing). Everything was on track -- until the night before the vote.  State Senator Royce West called Councilman John Loza to ask that it be pulled from the agenda, which Loza did.  Loza told the council that Senator West DOES NOT LIKE SENIOR CITIZENS AND FAMILIES LIVING TOGETHER BECAUSE THIS HAS NOT BEEN DONE BEFORE IN DALLAS.  The arrogance of the West.  We did not understand why he wants to segregate senior citizens from families.  Is he really trying to do what is best for all?  Something was not right, but it was postponed to March 2nd. 

5.  On March 2, it was deferred again by Loza.  Loza told a friend of mine that he is not against the project but will do whatever West wants.  John Loza is really showing his lack of leadership.  One who must please powerful politicians and ignore what is best for his constituents.  This is an excellent example of what happens when one person has too much power and abuses it.  Can you see something like this happening if the "Strong Mayor" proposition passes?

     The ways things stand we have only a few weeks to fight this.  West is playing politics with our lives.  He knows a project can be deferred ONLY 3 times, after that it is dead.  The last time for it to be voted on is on April 6.  This is a grassroots project, we ALL need to make our voices heard through a call or letter. 

     West needs to be reminded that if he does not represent the people he will be voted out.  John Loza has ambitions to run for a higher office.  He is not much of a political leader if he can be pushed around by a State Senator.  We do not need this type of politicians in office.

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                                    WHAT I DID and WHAT YOU CAN DO

1.   March 14, I called and spoke to Senator West's Legislative Aide, Roger Jones 512/467-0123.  Wilma Avalos and I asked for an appointment with Senator West here in Dallas on Friday.  Senator West's response was, "If the discussion for the meeting was on the issue of the Provident's Mockingbird Development his mind is made up and he is NOT WILLING TO RECONSIDER."   His arrogance prompted me to write everything in detail that has happened.  Now it is up to you to decide what you are going to do.

2.  I then called Robbye Meyer at the Texas Dept. of Housing Affairs 512/475-3800.  She told me her department is excited about this project, as is the Dallas City staff, County Commissioner Ken Mayfield, Rep. Rafael Anchia and the nearby neighborhoods. 

    She suggested any correspondence to Senator West be copied to her department.  This is important because all correspondence will be a part of public record information that will be given to the six Board of Directors of the Texas Dept. of Housing (the members of this board are appointed by the governor) in Austin when they vote on this deal. 

I urge you to invite Matt Harris of Provident Realty to come to your next Homeowners or Crime Watch Meeting to give you a presentation of this project.  His number is 972/239-8500 ext 131.

         I hope this information will open your eyes to see what complete power can do to some elected officials.  They forget that they represent the people.  No one respects arrogant elected officials that force their way. 

       This could happen to the citizens of Dallas should the Strong Mayor proposition pass. 

                                Mary Lou Montes Zijderveld