I’m Candy Evans, founder and publisher of Daltxrealestate.com, and I am stepping forward as a candidate for Dallas City Council. My campaign is rooted in a vision for transformative change, aiming to be a true mover, a shaker, and an unwavering advocate for progress within our vibrant city. The past year, marked by a global pandemic, has taught us an undeniable truth: adaptation and evolution are not merely options, but necessities for survival and growth. Without them, we risk stagnation and decline.
Dallas finds itself at a pivotal juncture, a magnificent metropolis that has sprawled and flourished over the last four decades with the vigor of a wild bronco. It has attracted countless individuals and families seeking new opportunities, affordable housing, and a superior quality of life. People from states like California, burdened by exorbitant living costs, relentless smog, and excessive regulations, have found a haven here. This influx has fueled tremendous job access and created a diverse real estate market, from bustling apartment complexes to welcoming family homes, fostering deep roots and thriving communities. This continuous cycle of growth has made Dallas one of the most desirable places to live and work in the nation, but with expansion inevitably come complex challenges that demand bold, decisive leadership.
While Dallas leaders have historically celebrated this robust growth, they have frequently deferred critical decisions and indulged in projects that ultimately proved to be costly boondoggles, often at the expense of sustainable, future-focused development. A glaring example is the infamous $4 million Standing Wave whitewater feature on the Trinity River, which paradoxically cost the city an additional $2 million to remove shortly after its completion. Millions more were squandered on studies and plans to construct a highway directly within the Trinity River’s floodplain, a perilous and environmentally irresponsible proposition. Furthermore, the City Council’s inadequate oversight led to the catastrophic police and fire pension debacle, a failure that profoundly impacted our first responders and their families, undermining trust and stability. We also grapple with widespread substandard streets, intersections prone to severe flooding during rain, and persistently non-functioning traffic lights that create daily hazards and frustrations for commuters. As the founder and publisher of Daltxrealestate.com, one issue that particularly vexes me is the agonizingly slow process of obtaining building permits, which can drag on for months, stifling development and impeding economic progress. In a perplexing move, Dallas is now considering an $800 million investment in a new subway system, even as DART ridership remains at an all-time low, raising serious questions about fiscal prudence and community needs.
Beyond these large-scale issues, there’s a staggering lack of coordination in our city’s street repair efforts. It’s a common sight: a newly repaired street is torn up almost immediately to fix an underground utility or another issue, creating endless inconvenience and wasting taxpayer dollars. This systemic inefficiency highlights a broader need for robust ethics reform within City Hall. The fact that six council members have been indicted since 1997, with the most recent being Dwaine Caraway for pocketing $450,000 in bribes related to the Dallas County Schools debacle, underscores a deeply troubling pattern of corruption and a critical need for transparent, accountable governance. These failures are not just abstract problems; they impact every resident, every business, and the very fabric of our community, demanding immediate and sustained attention.
A Solution-Driven Approach for Dallas’s Future
An open seat in District 11 presents a unique opportunity for real change – the same district I proudly ran for in 2017. I am on the ballot for the May 1 election, and I am profoundly moved and energized by the outpouring of support I am receiving from across our community. I extend a heartfelt invitation to each of you to join me in this critical endeavor, to collectively make Dallas not just a city we call home, but a city we are truly proud to live in. One fellow Councilmember recently urged me to run, stating, “Not only do you have a strong voice, you are smart, mature, and you have so many connections outside of Dallas to improve this city and bring in new business.” To me, being “smart” isn’t about knowing all the answers; it’s about having the wisdom and humility to seek advice and collaborate with truly brilliant minds to forge innovative solutions.
My most significant and deeply personal project will be driving the long-overdue development of Midtown. This ambitious urban mixed-use project is slated to replace the defunct Valley View Mall, a 40-year-old “zombie shopping center” that has stood as a symbol of unrealized potential for far too long. Every time I drive past that site, I visualize the lost revenue, the economic opportunities literally floating away into thin air. Consider the stark contrast with Legacy West in Plano, a visionary project that commenced in 2011 – the very same year Midtown was conceived. Legacy West was completed by 2017 and is now a thriving, dynamic $3 billion epicenter, relentlessly churning money into the Frisco economy and creating thousands of jobs. Once fully developed, Midtown has the potential to inject a staggering $20 billion into the Dallas economy, equivalent to the entire tax base of downtown Dallas just three years ago. Yet, for the last eight years, the current Councilman and his hand-picked Plan Committee appointee – who happens to be my opponent – have failed to launch this transformative project. Midtown is not just a proposal; it is an imperative. New blood and fresh leadership are essential to finally make it happen, unleashing its immense economic benefits for our entire city.
Rising to District 11’s Challenges with Resilient Leadership
District 11 has weathered an extraordinary series of trials and tribulations. From a devastating micro-burst and an EF3 tornado to the profound impact of a global pandemic, a prolonged three-plus-month quarantine, and a brutal polar vortex freeze, our community has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Yet, despite these challenges, we still lack a fundamental resource: our lost fire station has yet to be rebuilt, leaving a critical gap in our emergency services. Compounding these issues, District 11 has experienced a drastic increase in crime, eroding residents’ sense of safety and security within their own neighborhoods. These are not minor inconveniences; they are fundamental failures of governance that demand immediate, strategic attention and proactive solutions.
Looking north of LBJ (I-635), District 11 presents a rather barren landscape, especially considering we are navigating the most robust real estate market in recorded history. Despite this unprecedented boom, the current district leadership and planning regime have only managed to facilitate the construction of a mere two gas stations adjacent to residential areas. This lack of vision stands in stark contrast to the dynamic growth seen in our neighboring suburbs. For instance, Scheels, one of the most successful privately held sporting goods stores globally, chose to open in The Colony, alongside numerous other innovative concept stores flocking to the suburbs. Our district deserves more than just stagnation; it needs strategic, high-quality commercial and mixed-use development that generates jobs, enhances local amenities, and strengthens our tax base.
I am committed to stepping up and tackling these critical challenges head-on. My agenda includes ensuring Midtown finally becomes a vibrant reality, significantly increasing police presence in our neighborhoods to enhance public safety, and working tirelessly to recruit and retain our dedicated officers. I will advocate for the swift construction of a new fire station in Preston Hollow, a project that is long overdue. Furthermore, I will push for a firm, comprehensive, and compassionate solution to address homelessness in our city, learning from successful models in other urban centers. Workforce housing is another urgent priority, as we must ensure affordable living options for all Dallas residents. And yes, preparing for the inevitable next disaster, whether natural or economic, is a crucial responsibility that cannot be overlooked. District 11, my beloved home, demands and deserves far more attention and dedicated care than it has received over the past eight years.
To effectively address homelessness, many progressive cities and states have invested in acquiring hotels or establishing long-term leases to provide stable housing solutions; Dallas has just begun this process by purchasing two. San Antonio, for example, successfully streamlined its housing assistance program by moving the previously paper-only application process online and providing direct cash assistance to residents in need, yielding tangible positive results. My approach will involve rigorously examining what truly works in other cities – whether it’s established, proven programs or innovative, as-yet-untested applications. We will give these solutions the necessary time to prove their efficacy, then adapt and implement only those strategies that demonstrably improve the quality of life for the residents of District 11. Concurrently, I am resolute in my commitment to pushing, relentlessly and without compromise, for firm and comprehensive ethics reform throughout our city government, ensuring transparency and accountability at every level.
Embracing the Future: Pivot, Adapt, Change
The time has arrived to infuse our city leadership with fresh voices and dynamic talent. It’s time to pivot, adapt, and courageously embrace change, for without this vital evolution, Dallas risks withering and falling behind. We must break the entrenched “cabal of endorsement successors” that has too often prioritized political expediency over genuine public service. Our focus must shift from egos and self-interest back to the fundamental basics that define a well-governed city: robust public safety, meticulously maintained infrastructure including smooth streets, unwavering ethical governance, and comprehensive housing solutions for all residents.
The essence of a city’s purpose is elegantly simple: to serve its people. This means providing essential services, diligently repairing and maintaining vital infrastructure, upholding the rule of law, and, above all, ensuring the safety and security of every resident. These are the core tenets upon which we must rebuild our focus and direct our energy. Dallas has emerged as a magnet for corporate relocation and economic expansion. In January 2020, 49 companies were considering a move to Dallas; by September of the same year, that number had astonishingly doubled. We are undeniably a “hot spot” for business, thanks to our business-friendly environment and comparatively affordable living. However, this appeal comes with a solemn responsibility: we must ensure that we consistently deliver on the promise of a high quality of life that attracts these businesses and their employees. If our infrastructure crumbles, our streets become impassable, or our public safety falters, this incredible growth will not be sustainable.
The voices of our community resonate with this sentiment. As one District 11 resident recently conveyed to me: “Our elected officials just don’t get it. They offer tiny solutions for big problems. They don’t even acknowledge what the real problems are, because then they’d have to admit they helped create them and they’re now so big they can’t solve them.” Another resident echoed this frustration, stating, “Honestly, we need people who get the reality of the situation and can do more than propose ‘feel good’ solutions.” A third voiced a common concern, remarking, “I am concerned about the subsidized housing in our area. Why? Because we already have an abundance of apartments that if not subsidized, are rather low income and affordable housing. They are plentiful. So much so that our neighborhood was up in arms when the owner of the property at Arapaho and Hillcrest (Arapaho Hillcrest Village) proposed rezoning and turning it into a giant apartment complex. I also support a strong police department. Do they make mistakes? Absolutely—but I like knowing if I call 911, they will be there.” We can, and we must, ensure that our police are always there, effectively and compassionately serving our community. This unwavering commitment to foundational services, coupled with a bold vision for the future, is precisely what true change is all about. Learn more about my platform and how we can work together to build a better Dallas by visiting my campaign website at CandyforDallas.com.
Paid for by the Candy For Dallas campaign.