Johnson Announces $2 Million Infrastructure and Economic Development Grant for Deep Ellum Foundation

DALLAS, TX - Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) announced a $2 million infrastructure and economic development grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the The Deep Ellum Foundation to advance the “Dallas Cultural Trail: Revitalizing Historic Neighborhoods Across Highways Through Art and Mobility.” This project will reconnect downtown Dallas, Deep Ellum, and South Dallas through an innovative trail system to drive economic development, tourism, and expanded transit opportunities across the I-345 and I-30 highways.

“As Dallas County continues to grow, it is critical that we make the right investments in our communities to upgrade infrastructure and expand safe public transit,” said Johnson. “I am grateful that this funding coming to the Deep Ellum Foundation from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will do just that. In Congress, I will continue to look for ways we can bring funding back home to uplift our neighborhoods.” 

“The Deep Ellum Foundation is grateful to have applied on behalf of our incredible coalition behind this effort to build a trail in Dallas, putting the richness of our distinct neighborhoods' art, culture, and history at the fingertips of all who travel it,” said Stephanie Keller Hudiburg, Executive Director of the Deep Ellum Foundation. “We are so thankful to the USDOT, TxDOT, and the City of Dallas for their investment, leadership, and support of this community-led initiative.”

Funding from this grant will bring together local organizations, community leaders, and public agencies, creating a community-focused process for trail design, engineering, and planning. Once complete, the Dallas Cultural Trail will link the economic core of downtown Dallas to South Dallas, an Opportunity Zone and historically disadvantaged community.

The initiative builds on several critical infrastructure plans currently in progress, including the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) CBD Fair Park Links project, the Dallas Bike Plan, the DART Fantastic Places project, and TxDOT plans to transform I-345 and I-30. The project will improve accessibility while celebrating three distinct cultural districts' unique art, culture, and history.

The Deep Ellum Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering the vibrancy, cultural heritage, and economic vitality of the Deep Ellum neighborhood and surrounding areas through community-led initiatives and partnerships.