District 7 Candidates Tackle South Dallas Concerns in Fiery Forum

The candidates for the Dallas City Council District 7 seat assured their potential constituents that they are tuned into the interests of the community, citing economic development and housing concerns as the most pressing issues to address in South Dallas on Tuesday evening. The event, sponsored by the South Dallas Fair Park Faith Coalition, hosted incumbent Councilman Adam Bazaldua, O’Neil Hesson, Jose Rivas Jr. and Cydney Walker to answer the pressing questions of District 7 community members at Salem Institutional Baptist Church.

Lamar “Yaka” Jefferson was not present at the event. As of now, his name still appears on the city council website as an official candidate.

The panel began with brief introductions from all the candidates, followed by a round of questions from civic journalist Keri Mitchell. The event concluded with a segment dedicated to answering questions from the audience.

Mitchell emphasized the importance of keeping answers timely and relevant to the community members of District 7, in accordance with the wishes of Pastor Todd M. Atkins. Pastor Atkins assured attendees that if a runoff occurs, another panel will be held at his South Dallas church for the remaining candidates.

Here’s what the candidates shared on the major issues facing District 7:

Economic Development

Economic development tools, specifically Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) and Public Improvement Districts (PIDs), were highlighted as crucial for infrastructure investment and business growth. The conversation also touched on the need for transparency in city spending, the importance of public safety in attracting investment, and the role of city managers in executing community goals. 

When asked to name the most important economic issue facing District 7 and a solution, the candidates responded:

Walker cited business development for all skill levels of entrepreneurs as her issue of choice. As a solution, Walker suggested the work done in the South Dallas Fair Park Innovation Center as an active combatant to the in-house entrepreneurship drought in South Dallas.  

Hesson mentioned the varying types of business investment coming into South Dallas is the biggest issue threatening economic growth. A slew of socioeconomically out-of-touch investors and entrepreneurs may not be the best choice for District 7, he argues. “We want to make sure that the investment in those [new] businesses are going to be serving the folks that are living here now,” Hesson said. 

Rivas identified public safety as the core barrier to economic development and emphasized that improving safety is key to unlocking economic growth.

Bazaldua pointed to declining infrastructure as the biggest threat to economic prosperity in District 7. He said poor infrastructure increases costs and diminishes marketability, but noted the city budget and recently passed TIF dollars are being used to address the issue. 

Parks and Recreation

Candidates were also asked about their plans to maintain or expand parks, green spaces, and community centers—assets known to improve resident well-being and increase property values.

Bazaldua called the Martin Luther King Jr. Center a “vital” community asset and cited his work with Austin lawmakers to secure grant money for Fair Park. 

Rivas emphasized the need for smart budget allocation and criticized costly projects like the convention center renovation. He also called for more opportunities for local artists. 

Hesson made a point to mention that Fair Park and its concrete moat surrounding the fairgrounds is a “heat sink,” not a green space. He also expressed the need to clean and maintain our current green spaces; more than a few abandoned and neglected parks have flown under Dallas Parks and Recreation’s radar, Hesson argued. 

Walker acknowledged the high potential for more green spaces in Dallas. “We have a nonprofit partnership with Fair Park that really is important,” Walker explained. “We need to revisit that contract to see what can be done to improve things better for that partnership to work, and make sure that the nonprofit is going to bring the green space to our community.” 

Housing Market Concerns

South Dallas is facing a deepening housing market imbalance, where legacy homeowners struggle with soaring mortgage rates while renters remain unprotected and vulnerable to unchecked landlord practices. As unaffordable developments continue to rise in a historically underserved community, concerns about displacement and gentrification grow more urgent.

Asked how they would address legacy homeowners, the housing market, new development, and equitable housing in South Dallas:

“An intentional concentration of poverty in South Dallas has led to our inability to attract retail,” Bazaldua argued. The incumbent supports a mixed-housing model that balances affordability with community integrity.

Hesson said protecting legacy homeowners is central to his campaign. He emphasized that renters, who make up the majority in South Dallas, should be protected and given pathways to homeownership.

Rivas stressed the importance of community voices and cited the displacement of generational homeowners as a key reason for entering the race.

Walker suggested capping property taxes for legacy homeowners, pointing to the Trinity Groves area as an example where such a policy helped residents stay in their homes amid rising property values.

City Maintenance and Internal Efficiency

The candidates also addressed the role of the council member and city management in providing coordinated responses to community concerns, such as the upkeep of vacant lots and associated crime.

Rivas believes it is the role of the city council member to “herd the cats” at City Hall to ensure the true vision of new development projects echoes the community’s needs. 

“It would be really helpful to have the council member that actually has a [city] manager that works for them to make sure that they’re executing on the mission and vision of what the community needs,” Rivas said. 

Bazaldua, once more mentioning the many investments he has brought to the Fair Park neighborhood since the start of his position in the District 7 seat, believes his role is to be the voice of the “stakeholders.” He explained that the City Manager should work for the council members in ensuring a potential for more community growth, and that collaborating with the manager is foundational to the transparency Bazaldua maintains with his constituents. 

Hesson believes a council member serves as a liaison between the community they represent and the government. The councilman went on to explain that this liaison is meant to inform the community of the city-funded, bureaucracy-approved resources available at their disposal. 

Walker described a council member’s role as translating constituents’ priorities into action. Drawing on her experience as a project manager, she emphasized the importance of responsiveness and clear communication among city departments.

For the full District 7 Candidate Panel meeting brief, visit the Public Meeting Briefs page at Dallas Free Press.