The city of Dallas on Wednesday approved a $170,988 grant to help with renovation and construction costs for the Black-owned and -operated newspaper's headquarters. Dallas Examiner.
The entire project is expected to cost $184,000, and the grant will alleviate much of that cost. CEO and publisher Molly Finch Belt also contributed $13,450 in owner's equity. Other funding comes from the South Dallas Fair Park Opportunity Fund, which provides loans and grants for economic development in the Fair Park area.
City Councilor Adam Bazaldua said the renovation was an “exciting” project for the area.
“I look forward to seeing not only the improvements to the building itself, but what it will bring to the South Dallas community,” Bazaldua said at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
of examiner The company was founded in 1986 by Fred Finch “with the purpose of being the leading source of news for the African American community,” according to its website.
Shortly after the publication began printing, Finch and his wife were robbed and murdered in their home. The business was taken over by his daughter Mr. Belt in 1999.
This newspaper has been publishing and printing weekly issues since its inception.
The building was built in 1950 at South Dallas Fair Park and was used as a law office until about seven years ago. examiner I've moved.
Because of its age, Belt said the funds will be used for repairs, including a new roof. But she said what she's most excited about is the expansion of the building and the addition of an editing room.
“Most of our resources were spent on operational costs,” Belt said. “We've maintained our staff. But the downside of that is we haven't used the resources for infrastructure and things like that.”
She hopes the additional space will allow her to hire new reporters to cover more news in Dallas.
The building is currently valued at $120,000, but the renovations are expected to increase property value by 20 percent, said Joyce Williams, director of the city's Small Business Center.
At a committee hearing on the measure earlier this month, city officials said they see it as an opportunity to increase economic opportunity in an area that Dallas City Council members have long argued has been neglected. .
As someone who grew up in the South Dallas area, Belt said he hopes the restoration signals a broader revitalization of the neighborhood.
“I grew up in south Dallas, and there was a lot of deterioration,” Belt said. “It changes the appearance of buildings and neighborhoods on the street.”
