Coalition for a New Dallas Presents

The Way Forward: Decisions for a New City Council

The municipal elections on May 1 provide a critical opportunity for new candidates, incumbents, and voters to examine the priorities of the City of Dallas and reassert the City's role in critical decisions around infrastructure, equitable transit and development, and reimagining our urban core as we come out of the pandemic. This virtual Symposium will bring both local and national leaders together for up-to-the-moment perspectives on the role of City Council and the City of Dallas in defining the future, and provide opportunities for both candidates, voters, and civic leaders to connect in advance of this important election.

Admission is free, and we hope you join us for the whole program. Networking opportunities will be built in throughout the program through the virtual platform. Registration is required.

For more on the Coalition for a New Dallas or to make a donation to help support our efforts in educating, inspiring, and helping shape the agenda for the City, please visit: https://www.coalitionforanewdallas.org/

Agenda

8:30am

Welcome Remarks

8:40am

Transit Equity and North Texas: A Conversation with Rep. Colin Allred

Speakers:

Gillea Allison, President and Publisher, D Magazine Partners

Rep. Colin Allred, Congressman, US House of Representatives (TX-32)

9:00 am

The Federal Stimulus: How the City Council Must Influence DART & Infrastructure Spending

The injection of hundreds of millions of dollars into DART and the recently-announced Infrastructure investment bill presents opportunities to reimagine priorities and projects. A new City Council should have a plan for what it wants its appointees to advocate for and work with stakeholders to help set priorities for DART and infrastructure spending.

Speakers:

Yonah Freemark, Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute

Jon-Bertrell Killen, Dallas Representative, DART Board of Directors

Krista Nightengale, Executive Director, Better Block

Moderator: Matt Tranchin, President, Coalition for a New Dallas

10:00 am

The Toole Report: A Plan to Remove I-345 and Rebuild a Community

A brief summary of the role of I345, CityMap, current TxDOT process, and the recommendations from the Toole Report.

Speakers:

Raquel Favela, Senior Director, National Development Council

Jerry Hawkins, Executive Director, Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation

Michael Morris, Director of Transportation, North Central Texas Council of Governments

Moderator: Patrick Kennedy, Founding Partner, Space Between Design Studio

11:15am

The First 100 Days: Policy Priorities a New City Council Should Enact

The new City Council will face key decisions on policies that could be game changers for the city. A few of these include the expansion of Accessory Dwelling Units, the elimination of parking minimums, the potential reform of Forward Dallas, and how to move forward after D-2.

Speakers:

Nathaniel Barrett, Founder, Barrett Urban Development

Dan Keshet, President and Founder, Texans for Housing

Miguel Solis, Leadership Team, Coalition for a New Dallas

Moderator: Gillea Allison, President and Publisher, D Magazine Partners