During Wednesday’s City Council meeting, members voted to rezone part of Joey Georgusis Park in West Oak Cliff to MU-1, allowing for mixed-use development in the area.
The rezoning was necessary for the city to move forward with its planned development of a $55 million practice facility for the WNBA’s Dallas Wings. The facility was previously approved by the council for city funding and development on June 11.
Before the vote, the park was not zoned to allow any recreational uses, which is an unusual restriction, as recreation is typically permitted across all city zoning designations. Without the rezoning, the practice facility could not be built at its originally planned location.
“So staff came up with the MU-1 Zoning. We know it allows some commercial uses, multifamily, but importantly, it is the use that staff believes best fits in with the proposed uses for the practice facility,” District 1 council member Chad West said.
Under MU-1 zoning, the Wings’ facility can now be built, as the city is contractually obligated to complete the project by April 2026.
“We don’t have time to delay this,” West said. “…this is something that we have had all trains moving forward on until now.”
After about 30 minutes of discussion, with council members emphasizing zoning matters over project costs or location, the council approved the rezoning in an 11-4 vote.
“To see it rezoned from industrial to this use is something that I think West Dallas people would greatly support,” District 6 council member Laura Cadena said, “changing the industrial portions of West Dallas in close proximity to residential is something that our residents have championed and have greatly supported. And so I know that they are excited about having the Wings close to District 6.”
