Upcoming Hyperlocal Conversations + HLC Recap/Resources
Check each topic for upcoming HLCs and don't forget to document your 311 submissions. Please RSVP on Meetup and let us know you're coming!
Mon 6/22 · Uptown/Oak Lawn · Cosmic Cafe
Thu 6/25 · Downtown Dallas · Pegasus City Brewery
Tue 6/30 · Midtown · Civil Pour
Tue 7/7 · Far North Dallas · Location TBA
Sun 7/12 · Cedars · Full City Rooster
Please note dates and speakers are tentative. Check Meetup events closer to date.
Uptown/Oak Lawn
When: Monday, June 22 · 6:30 PM
Where: Cosmic Cafe · 2912 Oaklawn Ave, Dallas
Topic: "Introduction to Uptown Dallas Inc" by Uptown Dallas Inc
Uptown Dallas Inc. is the organization behind the Uptown Public Improvement District (PID). Come hear about what the PID funds and how it shapes the neighborhood.
Downtown Dallas
When: Thursday, June 25 · 6:30 PM
Where: Pegasus City Brewery · 1508 Commerce Street, Dallas
Topic: “Update: What’s going on with the Jefferson/Houston Viaducts?” with Dallas Bicycle Coalition
Midtown
When: Tuesday, June 30 · 7:00 PM CDT
Where: Civil Pour · 8061 Walnut Hill Ln #924, Dallas
Topic: “Introduction to Midtown PID” by Nick Palles
Meet your neighbors and explore ways to improve walkability in The Village, Vickery Meadow, and the DART stations on Lovers Lane, Park Lane, and Walnut Hill.
Far North Dallas
When: Tuesday, July 7 · 6:00 PM CDT
Where: LOCATION TBD
Topic: “How Zoning Reform could affect walkability in Midtown / Vickery” by Dallas Neighbors for Housing (DN4H) /Dallas Housing Coalition (DHC)
Meet your neighbors and explore ways to improve walkability around Addison, UT Dallas, Meandering Way, Galleria Mall, and the new 'International District' (the old Valley View Mall).
Cedars
When: Sunday, July 12 · 12:00 PM CDT
Where: Full City Rooster · 1810 S Akard St, Dallas
Topic: “How Zoning Reform could affect walkability in The Cedars” by Dallas Neighbors for Housing (DN4H) /Dallas Housing Coalition (DHC) / and Michael Pepe
Join us in the Cedars for a midday conversation about walkability in one of Dallas’s most historically rich and rapidly changing neighborhoods.
HLC Recaps
311 Challenge of the month
Report sidewalk obstructions by creating your Service Request online or via Dallas 311 mobile app. Utility poles blocking walkways, debris washing onto sidewalks from cleared lots were mentioned.
Lowering the barrier to small businesses
According to the IJ playbook, micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees) allow everyday community members to become neighborhood entrepreneurs without needing massive corporate backing.
63% of micro-businesses are started with less than $5,000 in capital, and 44% are built by individuals without a college degree. (Playbook linked below)
Zoning reform is in early draft phase
Dallas currently has ~1,200 Planned Developments (PDs); stay tuned as this shapes up and submit your comments.
Bike lane amendments in progress
Griffin St east of Akard (between East & East Griffin); follow-up ongoing with the city
Certificate of Occupancy reform discussion
Current rules create barriers for small businesses when use changes; independent vs. chain businesses treated under one code
Resources
Institute for Justice’s small business pathway chart D.C. example
Institute for Justice’s From Breakthroughs to Barrier: A Practical Playbook for Reforming Local Regulations to Empower Entrepreneurs Playbook
Questions we’re sitting with:
Does Dallas have a “clean hands” rule barring businesses with city debt from opening?
How do we lower regulatory, infrastructure, and social barriers to small business in the Cedars; and downtown more broadly?
How do we encourage small, flexible commercial spaces like Melbourne’s CBD model (3,000+ active retail spaces) vs. large restaurants that cycle out quickly?
All Hyperlocal Conversations are free and open to everyone. Each meeting begins with 45–60 minutes of guided discussion, followed by open social time. Come as you are.
A Hyperlocal Conversation is a neighborhood-specific monthly gathering where neighbors discuss ways to improve walkability where they live. Our vision is to have a conversation in and for every neighborhood in Dallas.