The good times are rolling in Dallas.
This is a safe, strong, and vibrant city that has had a great year. As you know, this is the only major city in the nation to record two consecutive years of violent crime reductions in every major category. In 2022, this region added more jobs than 46 other states. Dallas has a palpable momentum that I have been calling “Big Dallas Energy.” And the U.S. Travel Association has dubbed Dallas as America’s “Comeback City.”
But what really made this city’s comeback official last year was the return of the first event that the city had to call off because of the uncertainty regarding the pandemic in March 2020: The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
It was great to welcome the gathering back to Greenville Avenue in 2022. The parade’s return was a blast, and it was fun to be part of it. And this year, I had the honor of serving as the Grand Marshal and taking a ride on Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Ladder Truck 37.
This parade means a lot to this city. About 125,000 people come out every year for the festivities. It’s a unique and joyful day — one that draws people from across this region and that draws envy from cities across the nation.
That’s because Dallas knows how to have a good time. Saturday certainly demonstrated that. And you can feel that Big Dallas Energy out in the streets these days. This city is solving problems, prioritizing the right issues, and having some fun doing it.
There is still more work to do. Your issues will continue to receive attention at Dallas City Hall. But so many good things are happening in Dallas that simply are not happening in other major cities. And it’s great to be a part of all this optimism and dynamism here right now. Let’s keep it going!
Important updates and more fun times
It’s Spring Break time for the Dallas City Council, but the work of building a better city doesn’t stop. Here are some news items and quick updates on major initiatives for you:
- Parks inventory: The city manager’s office has produced an inventory of vacant, unused, and underutilized city-owned land. This administration, along with Trust for Public Land, is reviewing the list and assessing options. The first priority will be finding new places for green spaces in neighborhoods that are not currently within a 10-minute walk of a park. This is an important initiative. As Axios Dallas notes: “Public parks are an equalizer. Unlike arboretums, country clubs or gyms, anyone can enjoy them for free.”
- A visitor from Sweden: Her Excellency Karin Olofsdotter, the Swedish Ambassador to the United States, visited Dallas City Hall last week to discuss potential partnerships with the city. Kay Bailey Hutchison, the former United States Ambassador to NATO and member of my International Advisory Council, joined the meeting as well. You can read about the discussion here.
- A visitor from Missouri: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also stopped by for a visit to Dallas City Hall last week. Check out the video of his remarks to the Dallas City Council here.
- Buddy Guy Day: The best blues guitarist alive came to Dallas last week to play a soldout show at the Majestic Theater. In his honor, I proclaimed March 8, 2023, as “Buddy Guy Day” in the City of Dallas and dropped off the official proclamation in person.
- New Sprouts: The Dallas City Council last week unanimously approved a new Sprouts Farmers Market in North Oak Cliff. Read more here.
- Talking with Dallas youth: On Friday, I joined Derrick James — boxing trainer to champions — to talk to a group of about 250 kids from Dallas Boys & Girls Clubs about living well, having fun, staying safe, and remaining focused on the opportunities in front of them. Boxers Errol Spence Jr. and Anthony Joshua stopped by the LOOK Cinema as well.
That’s all for now. Have a great Spring Break if you have one this week. Enjoy the good days of weather while you can. And let the good times roll!
Until next time,
