Developer Scottie Smith II, alongside partner Courtney Hemsley, has unveiled plans for Thirty21, a $20 million mixed-income midrise residential development along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in South Dallas. The project will be developed on the site of a former Save A Lot grocery store and is expected to become the first midrise housing development of its scale along the MLK corridor.
The development will deliver a combination of affordable and market-rate housing, introducing a new level of residential density while supporting continued growth in the surrounding area.
“This project reflects where South Dallas is today and where it is going. It builds on the history of the site while positioning it for long-term housing and deeper community investment.” – Scottie Smith II
The property was originally acquired as part of a broader effort to bring essential retail services to the MLK corridor, with Save A Lot operating as a neighborhood grocery anchor for several years. The store served the surrounding community until its closure, when Save A Lot exited the location and ultimately withdrew from the area altogether, leaving a significant gap in accessible retail options.
Following the store’s departure, the site remained underutilized, reflecting broader shifts in retail patterns and investment across the corridor. The absence of an active tenant created both a challenge and an opportunity—highlighting the need for reinvestment while opening the door for a new use that better aligns with current community needs.
The redevelopment of the site into a residential project represents a transition from its former role as a retail hub to a new phase focused on housing and long-term neighborhood stability.
Thirty21 is also aligned with the South Dallas/Fair Park Area Plan and advances the plan’s goals for strategic growth, thoughtful land use, and sustained reinvestment. The development capitalizes on momentum generated through the City’s Authorized Hearing process and proposed zoning updates under PD 595, efforts designed to support a more dynamic and higher-density MLK corridor capable of driving long-term economic vitality.
“Having played a role in shaping the area plan, it is incredibly meaningful to bring those ideas to life in a tangible way,” Smith said. “Thirty21 represents a step toward delivering a shared vision for the future of South Dallas.”
The development will be delivered through a Public Facility Corporation (PFC) partnership, a financing and ownership structure used to support long-term affordability through a required 50% affordable and 50% market-rate unit mix. Separately, Texas Senate Bill 840 provides the legal framework allowing this type of mixed-income development to proceed by right.
Under this structure, the property will be removed from traditional tax rolls. However, Smith said the development will voluntarily contribute to the Sunny South Dallas Public Improvement District (SSDPID), reinforcing its role in supporting ongoing community investment and infrastructure improvements throughout the area.
“Even within a structure where participation is not required, we made the decision to contribute,” Smith said. “The success of a development should extend beyond its property lines.”
The project reflects several years of planning, coordination, and development activity in South Dallas, including navigating public-private partnerships, evolving policy frameworks, and changing market conditions. According to the development team, bringing a project of this scale to fruition required persistence, adaptability, and a long-term commitment to the community.
“Development in this part of the city requires persistence,” Smith said. “There are challenges that come with that work, but there is also a clear opportunity to deliver projects that have lasting impact. You have to be willing to stay engaged through the process and continue pushing forward.”
Hemsley emphasized the importance of consistency and trust in delivering projects in historically underserved communities.
“Projects like this don’t happen overnight. They require years of relationship-building, coordination with stakeholders, and a willingness to work through complexity. What makes this project meaningful is not just the end result, but the commitment to seeing it through.” – Courtney Hemsley
Hemsley added that the development team remained focused on long-term outcomes rather than short-term wins.
“We approached this with the understanding that we are contributing to something bigger than a single project,” she said. “It’s about helping shape the future of the corridor in a way that is thoughtful, sustainable, and responsive to the community.”
Positioned along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Thirty21 is designed to serve as a defining investment signaling the next phase of growth and transformation in South Dallas. The $20 million development reflects a broader shift toward higher-density, mixed-income housing that supports both current residents and future demand along one of the city’s most historically significant corridors.
By introducing a midrise residential product to an area traditionally characterized by lower-density development, the project establishes a new benchmark for what is possible along MLK Boulevard. It is expected to increase residential activity, support nearby businesses, and encourage additional private investment throughout the surrounding area.
Through its mixed-income structure, the project aims to provide housing options that remain accessible while also attracting new residents to the area, helping create a more balanced and sustainable community.
Construction is anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with completion targeted for 2028.