Revitalization

A vital downtown

After being founded as a railroad town some 100 years ago, the resurgence of the area is being driven by the railroad again, the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). Irving has the only downtown stop along the TRE between Dallas and Fort Worth. It is the perfect location for the creation of a transit-oriented community that will derive new citizens from working professionals in the medical district, downtown Dallas or downtown Fort Worth.

Redevelopment and restoration are reshaping Irving's historic downtown. The Irving Heritage District, with its parks, plazas, vintage shops, historic homes is a great place to spend an afternoon exploring. Enjoy a juicy burger at Big State Drug Store's soda fountain. Talk politics with the regulars at Joe's Coffee Shop. You may discover a place where everybody really does know your name. The Heritage District is home to over 200 businesses. It is a vibrant downtown full of places to work, shop, eat and relax. With its many parks, including Millenium Park and Heritage Park on Main Street, the area enjoys easy access to city services including the Central Library and the Heritage Senior Center.

The vision for the Heritage District’s future is to create a mixed-use community with retail and sidewalk cafes on the lower level and living or office units above. Townhomes and single family residences will also be included in the redevelopment. The McDougal Companies are assisting the city in redeveloping the area. Currently McDougal team is in the land acquisition phase working with each property owner one-on-one to determine if a win-win opportunity is available. The McDougal Companies have acquired approximately 30 properties including five apartment complexes that had been identified by the City as being sub-par for Irving citizens. The McDougal Companies are committed to beginning two $30 million projects in 2009 and 2010 respectively.