By: Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson
Dallas has taken another important step toward delivering a world-class training center for its police officers.
On Thursday, we broke ground on the long-awaited Law Enforcement Training Center at the University of North Texas at Dallas—a critical investment in law enforcement infrastructure that will ensure Dallas’s nationally recognized public safety success continues for years to come.
This state-of-the art facility will set a new standard for police training with an innovative approach to preparing officers for the realities of modern law enforcement. It will combine cutting-edge training spaces and immersive simulation environments with a university setting, allowing recruits to train for the field while earning college credits and gaining a deeper understanding of criminal justice, public safety, and other related disciplines.
| Above all, this training center is being built on the belief that stronger relationships between law enforcement, educational institutions, and neighborhoods can build lasting public trust and safer communities. Right now, the Dallas Police Department has more sworn officers keeping communities safe than it’s had in a decade, with hundreds more set to be recruited in the coming year. These men and women are the backbone of public safety, as they put their lives on the line for Dallas every day. In turn, it is Dallas’s duty to train its officers to the highest possible standard and equip them with the tools they need to keep the people of Dallas—and themselves—safe. Upon completion in 2029, that is exactly what this new Law Enforcement Training Center will do. Record-Low Permit Times In addition to public safety, economic development has been a key priority of my Administration. Thanks to a renewed focus on efficiency at City Hall, commercial new construction permits are now being issued faster than they have been in years. The median review time has fallen to just 50 days—an 80% decrease since January 2023. That progress is the result of years of focused work to modernize and improve the permitting process.  In March, the Planning and Development Department launched a pilot program focused specifically on commercial new construction permits, helping customers submit better applications and enabling staff to provide more timely reviews. Then in May, the department launched DallasNow—the City’s online land management system—further streamlining workflows for both customers and staff. Dallas is focused on efficiency, and the results speak for themselves. We are delivering faster, more consistent permits so businesses can move from plans to construction more quickly. Since I took office, Dallas has added over $30 billion in new construction, and now, the City is making it even easier to “build, baby, build.” New Y’all Street Developments One of the most exciting developments in Dallas’s economy has been the rise of its financial services sector, which shows no signs of slowing down. In August, NYSE Texas officially opened its headquarters in Old Parkland. Bank of America is investing further in its Tower at Parkside office beside Klyde Warren Park, and Goldman Sachs is getting closer to the completion of its 800,000 square-foot campus in Victory Park.  Last week, Y’all Street’s identity began to take further shape as the City Plan and Zoning Commission advanced a proposal to rename a portion of North Harwood Street to “Exchange Place” at the request of the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE), which will be headquartered in the aforementioned Bank of America Tower at Parkside. The commission also approved a stock ticker display for the Dallas-based Texas Capital Bank after approving one for TXSE last month.  From faster permits to the continued growth of Y’all Street, Dallas is showing that we are serious about making it easier to do business, attracting investment, and creating economic opportunity. The message is clear: Dallas is open for business. That’s all for now. Stay safe and have a great week! Until next time,  |
