The City of Dallas initiated legal proceedings on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, to pave the way for its ambitious plan to transform the former U.S. Naval Air Station at Hensley Field into a vibrant mixed-use community. The project aims to benefit all Dallas residents, offering sustainable urban systems, parks, diverse land uses, mixed-income housing, and job creation.
Before the City can move forward with its transformation plan, it must first complete environmental remediation at Hensley Field, a site previously used by the U.S. Navy. The legal proceedings have been initiated to safeguard the City's rights concerning the environmental cleanup of the former military facility.
Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax expressed gratitude for the U.S. Navy's two decades of efforts in remediating the site. The City remains confident in its ability to collaborate with the Navy and reach an agreement to ensure the safe development of Hensley Field into a premier community. Broadnax emphasized the project's focus on providing mixed-income housing, recreational spaces, commercial areas, and more, and expressed the City's commitment to productive discussions with the U.S. Navy.
Hensley Field, spanning over 700 acres of underdeveloped land on the Dallas-Grand Prairie border, was leased by the U.S. Navy from the City of Dallas in 1949 to operate the Naval Air Station Dallas. The Navy's lease of the property ended in 1999, with environmental contamination similar to that found on other U.S. military installations. A lawsuit was filed by the City in 2001, resulting in a settlement in 2002 that obligated the Navy to complete environmental remediation by late 2017. The Navy failed to meet this deadline, despite ongoing progress and collaboration with the City.
The legal proceedings intend to protect the City's rights while striving to reach an amicable resolution that ensures the Navy fulfills its obligations and meets the necessary remediation standards for the redevelopment plan to proceed.
The City of Dallas remains committed to working with the U.S. Navy to find a resolution that allows Hensley Field to reach its full potential and better serve the residents of Dallas.
