Introduction to the Southwestern Medical District Transformation Project
The Texas Trees Foundation secured $25 million in state funding for the Southwestern Medical District Transformation Project in the Harry Hines Corridor. The $198 million project led by the Dallas-based nonprofit aims to transform the area. It will include comprehensive roadway reconstruction, stormwater and traffic control systems, expansive green infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly design strategies incorporating elements of nature.
The project secured the $25 million during the 2025 legislative session, pushed by State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, and State Rep. Rafael Anchía, D-Dallas.
Project Overview and Goals
Lannie McClelen, the director of the Southwestern Medical District Transformation Project, said these enhancements will address urban heat island issues, increase green space, create safer pedestrian and bicycle pathways and improve the air quality and connectivity across neighborhoods.
Heat islands are urbanized areas that experience higher temperatures than the surrounding region. Buildings and roads absorb and release more of the sun’s heat than natural landscapes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, areas with concentrated structures and limited green space become “heat islands.”
Urban Heat Island Effect and the Southwestern Medical District
The Southwestern Medical District, in northwest Dallas, is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city, according to the city’s latest urban heat island effect study. The area is home to UT Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Hospital, and Children’s Health — which together serve around 3.4 million patients annually, have 42,000 employees and 45,000 daily drivers.
The public and private partnerships with the city of Dallas, Dallas County and the North Central Texas Council of Governments plan to revitalize more than two miles and 14 acres of aging roadway, utility and landscape infrastructure within Texas’s most vital medical and research corridors.
Project Renderings and Expected Outcomes
The Texas Trees Foundation secured $25 million in state funding for the Southwestern Medical District Transformation Project in the Harry Hines Corridor. Rendering provided by Texas Trees Foundation. (Field Operations)
The project is expected to yield more than $1.6 billion in economic development, including $300 million in new state property tax revenue, according to the Texas Trees Foundation.
Project Funding and Timeline
The Texas Trees Foundation has secured almost $60 million and is working to raise the rest of the money to reach its goal of $198 million, said Heather Stevens, campaign philanthropic and public adviser for the project.
McClelen said the project will provide an opportunity for workers, students, patients and the surrounding neighborhoods to have a place to connect with nature, and to take walks or runs instead of being stuck in a concrete parking lot.
Construction is scheduled to begin next fall and the project is expected to be completed by 2030.
“We have the support from the public and private agencies. We have the support from the community,” McClelen said. “We just want to make it happen yesterday.”
Conclusion
The Southwestern Medical District Transformation Project is a significant undertaking that aims to revitalize the area and provide numerous benefits to the community. With the secured funding and support from public and private agencies, the project is expected to have a positive impact on the environment, economy, and quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
FAQs
Q: What is the Southwestern Medical District Transformation Project?
A: The Southwestern Medical District Transformation Project is a $198 million project led by the Dallas-based nonprofit Texas Trees Foundation, aiming to transform the area by including comprehensive roadway reconstruction, stormwater and traffic control systems, expansive green infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly design strategies incorporating elements of nature.
Q: What are the goals of the project?
A: The project aims to address urban heat island issues, increase green space, create safer pedestrian and bicycle pathways and improve the air quality and connectivity across neighborhoods.
Q: How much funding has been secured for the project?
A: The Texas Trees Foundation has secured almost $60 million and is working to raise the rest of the money to reach its goal of $198 million.
Q: What is the expected timeline for the project?
A: Construction is scheduled to begin next fall and the project is expected to be completed by 2030.
