Downtown Monthly: Dedicated to Downtown ???

"Dedicated to Downtown" Campaign Spotlights DDI Field Operations Teams – June 2023

Downtown Dallas, Inc.?(DDI)?on Wednesday, unveiled the first phase of a comprehensive campaign to raise awareness about the nonprofit’s partnership with the city and community to deliver enhanced safety and services in parks and public spaces.

The “Dedicated to Downtown” campaign, targeting Downtown residents, workers, and visitors, will educate and provide ways to engage with DDI’s enhanced Security, Clean, Homeless Outreach, and Ambassador services. Those groups, known collectively as the DDI Field Operations Teams, are funded through the Downtown Improvement District (DID) managed by DDI since its formation in 1992.

“What makes Downtown so vibrant is our people, and that is especially true at Downtown Dallas, Inc.,” said Jennifer Scripps, DDI President & CEO. “When it came to finding new and impactful ways to tell the story of who we are and what we do, the answer was right in front of us. We decided to feature the faces of the dedicated, compassionate and effective people who take care of our streets, sidewalks, parks, and public spaces. They truly bring out the best in the community.”

The campaign will leverage DDI's communication channels, including email, website, and social media platforms. To extend the reach of the campaign, DDI will utilize paid sources including programmatic media and paid social media. "Hero images" of DDI Field Operations Team members at work are on display beginning today on digital billboards throughout Downtown. Read More

In Other Downtown News ...

The City Council voted unanimously last month to move forward with a plan to take down and trench Interstate 345, the elevated highway that runs between Downtown and Deep Ellum. DDI worked closely with policymakers for years leading up to the decision.?Read more.

Last week marked the "official" relaunch of shared motorized scooters and bikes in Dallas. The DDI team, including President & CEO Jennifer Scripps (pictured), were part of a demo put on by scooter company?Superpedestrian. Watch a?report from?FOX 4.

Dallas has jumped 10 spots, from 53 to 43, in the respected Trust for Public Land's ParkScore ranking,?The Dallas Morning News?reports. The leap is attributed to new investments and amenities.?Explore Dallas' ranking.

DDI Members In The News

-- The University of Texas at Dallas'?Crow Museum of Asian Art?has officially opened its "Japan, Form and Function: The Montgomery Collection" exhibit. It boasts 250 pieces showcasing Japanese art and history,?WFAA-TV?reports.

-- Downtown's?Parterre?and?Sloane's Corner?make?this?Paper City?list?of where to find the best espresso martinis in Dallas.

-- The 55-story?Chase Tower?will be renamed Dallas Arts Tower and is getting upgrades including an art gallery and two new restaurants,?WFAA?reports. Construction begins this summer and is due to be completed by early 2024.

-- DDI Board of Directors member Sara Terry is the new chief marketing officer for Pacific Elm Properties, a subsidiary of?Woods Capital,?the?Dallas Business Journal?reports. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Sara.

-- DDI members and partners?are among?D CEO's?Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards finalists.?Read about them here.

*Bold = DDI member organizations

June 1995: Ron Kirk Sworn In As First Black Mayor of Dallas

Ron Kirk, the first Black mayor of Dallas, was sworn in 29 years ago. He pledged in his inaugural address to revitalize Downtown, and he helped spark a decades-long turnaround of the urban core. Earlier this year, DDI?honored Kirk as the first recipient of its Groundbreaker Award?for his lifetime of achievements advancing Downtown Dallas.