The Dallas City Council on June 2 authorized the city manager to work with Polk Community Development Corporation to apply for a 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) — up to $1.5 million — to build a permanent facility for the Dallas Food Bank, voting 7–1 to proceed.

The grant application would be filed by the city; if awarded, Business Oregon (identified in the hearing as the Oregon Business Development Department) would distribute CDBG funds that originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Polk Community Development Corporation would manage the project and the completed building would be deeded to the Dallas Food Bank, city staff said.

The proposal centers on a parcel adjacent to Lockrail Middle School and the United Methodist Church. City staff said the food bank plans to purchase the property directly and anticipates using a CDBG award for building and site improvements rather than property acquisition. City staff and the food bank told the council they expect the new facility to roughly double usable space from about 1,800 square feet to about 3,000 square feet to provide indoor waiting space, educational space and more efficient circulation for clients.

“I’m Jenny Nelson. I’m with the Dallas Emergency Food Corporation … We are open 5 days a week to serve our families,” Jenny Nelson said, explaining current constraints at the food bank’s Main Street location and how a larger building would reduce outdoor waiting and allow indoor seating and programs. Nelson said the food bank currently records more than 6,000 client visits per year and expects visits to rise; the grant application estimates the project would benefit about 10,000 visits and assumes 100% low- to moderate-income beneficiaries for the grant narrative.

Councilors pressed staff on traffic and site circulation, noting the site sits between the middle school and the church and that school drop-off and bus circulation will need study. Staff said no traffic study has been completed but the city has begun conversations with the school district and that a joint traffic study is anticipated. Staff also said the city owns portions of right-of-way in the area and that some additional property or easements would be required if Academy Street is extended; the church and school previously signed waivers of remonstrance related to future street construction.

City and Polk CDC staff said the CDBG may fund building construction and eligible administrative costs (staff noted that up to 20% may be allowable for administration under CDBG rules). Staff estimated the grant application window opens July 1 and that award notifications typically arrive several months later; construction-to-open could take multiple years if the grant is awarded. City staff said if the grant is not awarded, the city simply would not have the funded building project in hand and the food bank would continue to seek other options.

On the motion to authorize application and to name the city manager as certifying officer for the application, the council voted 7–1. The motion instructed the city manager to work with Polk CDC on the application and to serve as the city’s certifying official for the application paperwork.

The council also received public comment from nearby residents concerned about potential street extensions and traffic; staff reiterated that street extension work is not scheduled immediately and that the city is in early-stage discussions. A second caller and a neighborhood resident said they support the food bank location near schools and housing.

Next steps described by staff: finalize cost estimates and contractor quotes, pursue a traffic study with the school district, complete required environmental review if the grant is awarded, and, if awarded, manage construction reimbursements through Business Oregon and Polk CDC.