Dallas leaders are exploring ways to combine new regional libraries with affordable housing and community spaces.

City staff presented the Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee on Monday with early concepts for two library projects. The North Oak Cliff library, in District 1 in southern Dallas, and the Park Forest library, in the north side’s District 13, could serve as a mixed-use developments with housing, public amenities and updated library facilities.

The new libraries will be open longer hours and have expanded services, city officials said.

City Library Director Manya Shorr said the North Oak Cliff project will replace an existing library on the same site, while Park Forest will relocate to a new parcel. Both projects are still in early design and financial testing phases, and staff plan to return with more detailed recommendations, including development structures and revenue-sharing options.

The city closed the Skillman Southwestern Library weeks ago and plans to shut down four more in its move to a regional model.

Consultants from CBRE, a commercial real estate services and investment firm, and city staff presented findings and potential models based on case studies from other cities across the country where libraries have been combined with housing or retail.

Each of the reference projects included affordable housing, with some also offering senior or market-rate units and shared amenities, such as youth spaces, job training centers or creative studios.

According to consultants, the next phase of planning will focus on testing design options against financial feasibility.

Park Forest Branch

At the Park Forest site, the team is considering whether the project could include senior housing, an option they noted may be more readily accepted by surrounding neighborhoods. They also cited the need for additional zoning consultation as the concept moves forward.

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Gay Donnell Willis, who represents the district where the library is located, expressed enthusiasm for combining libraries with housing, calling it “a way to adapt what might be right for the neighborhood and the city overall.”

She emphasized that the project should remain centered on the library’s mission while exploring how a residential component might help generate revenue for ongoing operations.

Committee members discussed potential funding models, including partnerships through the city’s Housing Finance Corporation or the Public Facility Corporation, which could help leverage affordable housing incentives. They also raised questions about Senate Bill 840, a new state law affecting development height and proximity standards, noting that staff will need to assess its implications for both sites.

North Oak Cliff Branch

Council member Chad West, who represents North Oak Cliff, underscored the importance of community design, including access to green space and outdoor gathering areas. He noted that the surrounding area is considered a park desert and one of the city’s heat islands.

“There needs to be, even if it’s small, some type of incorporated green space,” West said.

Council members voiced broad support for continuing the work, while emphasizing transparency with residents, maintaining the character of the neighborhoods and a clear focus on the libraries themselves.

The next Quality of Life, Arts and Culture committee will be on Nov. 17 at 9 a.m.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Teenager Kaick Ferreira scored the go-ahead goal two minutes into the second half and rookie Michael Collodi made it stand up as FC Dallas beat Vancouver 2-1 on Saturday night to clinch seventh place in the Western Conference and deny the Whitecaps their first regular-season title.

Vancouver (18-7-9) and expansion side San Diego FC finished with 63 points apiece but the newcomers had the tiebreaker advantage. Dallas (11-12-11) avoids the wild-card round with the victory.

The 19-year-old who goes by Kaick scored his second goal in his 27th appearance to give Dallas the lead for good in the 47th minute.

Collodi finished with six saves for Dallas in his ninth career start, four of them ending with clean sheets.

Yohei Takaoka finished with five saves for the Whitecaps.

Vancouver was forced to play a man down from the 11th minute on after defender Mathias Laborda was tagged with a red card for a foul on Samuel Sarver.

Dallas grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute when Osaze Urhoghide took a pass from Patrickson Delgado and scored his second goal in his first season in the league. Delgado’s assist was his sixth, doubling his total from last season’s rookie campaign.

Thomas Müller tied it 1-1 in the 28th minute on a penalty kick after Emmanuel Sabbi drew a foul on Lalas Abubakar. It was Müller’s sixth goal in six career appearances with five starts.

Vancouver began the day with a three-point lead over San Diego. The two clubs played to a 1-1 draw in San Diego in late July.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

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