Spanish-speaking residents voiced their concerns in Dallas City Hall

About 20 residents participated Wednesday in the first-ever town hall in Spanish at Dallas City Hall to voice concerns and offer feedback about a $1 billion infrastructure bond proposal to be put to voters in 2024.

Projects such as streets, parks and libraries were discussed by people of all ages. Seven individuals joined virtually.

“I was very surprised when they announced that the meeting was going to be in City Hall and all in Spanish,” said Juana Arevalo, a community leader from Pleasant Grove. “We have long fought and asked for this type of meeting. I am glad that finally, the city is listening to the Spanish-speaking residents.”

District 5 council member Jaime Resendez, along with representatives from the Office of Equity and Inclusion, organized the meeting to bring information to residents in the language that they are more comfortable with and to speak about the concerns in their districts.

Spanish is the second-most spoken language in Dallas, and at least 42% of its residents are Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census.

Efrain Trejo of the Office of Bond and Construction Management explained how the bond proposal works and where the money could be used for city infrastructure projects.

Inside the room, one wall displayed 11 sheets featuring distinct bond proposal items, including economic development, homeless assistance, city facilities, and cultural arts. Trejo asked residents to place blue dot stickers, distributed at the meeting’s entrance, on the items they care the most about.

The two sheets with the most dots were parks and trails, and streets and transportation.

Fatima Ramirez, who took the microphone with her daughter, spoke about why she and her neighbors wanted a new playground in Gateway Park.

“We need safe places for children to run and to be exposed to nature,” said Ramirez, a resident of District 5.

Myrna Mendez of the community group Comadres Unidas de Dallas Y Más spoke about the need for renovations at recreational centers and a need to create more accessibility to after school programs for children and teenagers who can’t pay for private classes.

Nora Soto, from District 6 in the Bachman Lake area, said she is concerned about residents being charged to use the new aquatic center in the area. She said that families with multiple kids can’t afford the park.

The City Council is tentatively scheduled to vote in January to approve the bond package and put it on the election ballot in May 2024.

To wrap up the meeting, attendees were encouraged to take a photo to commemorate the “historic moment,” as described by Adriana Portillo from the Office of Language Access.