Dallas City Council Approved $2 Million for Floundering Bexar Street Project, Without Much Questioning. Part of a $29 million revitalization effort for the southern Dallas street sits Hailu Ejigu’s two-story, mixed-use building. The story goes something like this. An original cost of $700,000 doubles to $1.3 million when Ejigu changes the scope of the project, setting out to construct a building nearly twice the size. The city plays along, beginning the pattern of cutting him checks. By the end, that number reaches $2 million. Along the way, Ejigu is expected to produce some 75 percent of financing through equity of his own and a bank loan. When the loan doesn’t come through, he goes back to the city, which produces a loan. The city also reimburses Ejigu for all kinds of expenses, lawyer fees and the like. A dollar store opens in the building but is unsuccessful. Tenants, both residential and commercial, are hard to come by. Oh, and a second phase of the project remains. For the full story, read the Dallas Morning News’ two-part series here and here.
Grand Prairie Coming Around to Housing Undocumented Children. County Judge Clay Jenkins met with Grand Prairie city leaders Sunday after they voiced concerns about the former Lamar Alternative Education Center being considered as a housing option for some of the 2,000 children that have crossed into Texas from Mexico alone. D.A. Hulcy Middle School and a Parkland Memorial Hospital warehouse are also being considered. Grand Prairie may be more “at ease” with the idea, but strong opposition remains.
Chris Kyle Defamation Trial Starts Tomorrow. As we’ve reported before, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura has been suing the Navy sniper since 2012 for defamation over an account in Kyle’s autobiography detailing a fight with a guy named “Scruff Face.” That guy was Ventura, and Ventura says the fight never happened. As a result of the book, Ventura says job offers stopped coming in. Kyle was killed in 2013. His widow, Tara Kyle, is the defendant in the suit, which is finally headed to court. For more on the legacy of Chris Kyle, read Michael J. Mooney’s story here.
Columbus Short Arrested in Dallas. So I’ve never seen Scandal, and I don’t know who Short is, but apparently he was on this television show. And apparently he’s also having a rough go of it these days. The actor was arrested around 2 a.m. Saturday at the Katy Trail Ice House for public intoxication. In March, he was accused of punching someone at a West Los Angeles restaurant, and in April, his wife said Short threatened to kill her. No word on why Short was in Dallas and why no one is mentioning that he also choreographed a Britney Spears tour.
Devin Harris Close to Signing 3-Year Contract with Mavericks. Sure, he sat much of last year with a toe injury, but he showed up in the playoffs, and he’s a Wisconsin Badger, and I have an embarrassing college picture with him in a box somewhere. Anyway, I’m totally on board with this.
