Dallas, TX

Sale of vacant Dallas hospital meant to help homeless is a self-inflicted wound

Published

9 months ago

June 22, 2025

Sale of vacant Dallas hospital meant to help homeless is a self-inflicted wound

Earlier this month, the Dallas City Council declared a long-vacant, city-owned hospital property in Oak Cliff to be “unwanted and unneeded.” Dallas paid $6.5 million for the building and 14 acres of land in 2022, using bond funds intended to provide housing and services for homeless people. The property will now go up for sale or auction.

So ends another unfortunate city real estate transaction, a purchase doomed by lack of due diligence, planning and communication. It’s another example of why the city should avoid adding to its extensive property holdings. The sale of the former University General Hospital site follows other real estate fiascos, including the purchases of the 7800 N. Stemmons Freeway office tower and a partially occupied extended-stay motel on Independence Drive in southwest Dallas.

The Hampton Road hospital was a reasonable location for a homeless service facility — not an overnight shelter, but a permanent supportive housing development. Fourteen acres would have allowed a lot of potential buffering, including townhouses and micro-retail, between the hospital building and the library and school across the street.

But from the start, the city’s actions provoked mistrust among some longtime residents of the area. They were blindsided by the city’s purchase of the hospital and angry about its proposed use. One community meeting with city executives almost turned physical.

Those residents ultimately won the battle, but all Dallas taxpayers will bear the cost of the failed real estate purchase. It seems unlikely that the city will recoup the $6.5 million it paid for the property, let alone the thousands spent maintaining the asset.

Meanwhile, the property will remain off the tax roll and underused for months or years.

Its next owner will face a list of challenges, chief among them rezoning. The city’s online zoning map shows that the parcel sits inside a planned development district, which means there are detailed, site-specific rules about what can be built there. (If it had been zoned for office, commercial or mixed-use development, a new state law would allow a new owner to build mixed-use residential and multifamily development without a formal zoning change.)

The property also will need new water, sewer and street infrastructure, depending on what the next owner builds. The sturdy but obsolete hospital building will need to be demolished.

And Dallas still needs more service facilities and permanent supportive housing for homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless. Taking the hospital and the Independence Drive location off the table represents another loss for the city on that front.

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Dallas, TX

Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

Published

9 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.

On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.

“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”

The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.

Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.

Dallas’ Original Trade Offer

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.

“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.

Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Dallas, TX

Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

Published

22 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

DALLAS – Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday Forecast

Dallas weather: Mar. 10 morning forecast

We have another chance of severe storms starting Tuesday afternoon. Meteorologist Ali Turiano has your forecast and everything you need to know ahead of the storms.

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.

The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.

LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact

The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

7-Day Forecast

A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds.

Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

WeatherDallasFort WorthSevere Weather

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