Latest news with #UNTDallas
CBS News
6 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
City may seek more voter funding as cost of Dallas police training facility balloons
One year after voters approved millions in bond funding for a new Dallas police training facility, city leaders are now considering asking the public for additional funds as project costs rise sharply. According to briefing documents presented to the Dallas City Council on Tuesday, the total estimated cost for the project has grown to $275 million, nearly double the $140 million approved by voters in May 2024. Original plan raised concerns CBS News Texas Three months ago, council members directed city staff to revisit the original plan after concerns emerged about its scope and effectiveness. The initial proposal would have left new police recruits training at the outdated Red Bird facility, which many on the council viewed as inadequate. During a March council meeting, Council Member Paul Ridley expressed frustration upon learning that the basic police academy would not be located at the new facility on the University of North Texas at Dallas campus. "But let me confirm what I'm hearing," Ridley said. "The basic academy will not be on the UNT campus. We're going to retain the leased space, the substandard training academy, to continue to train recruits. Is that what I'm hearing?" Space limitations prompt redesign City staff confirmed that was the case at the time, citing space limitations at the UNT Dallas site, which could not accommodate a vehicle training course or firing range. The revised plan now includes two separate facilities: a Dallas Police Department Law Enforcement Training Center at UNT Dallas and a City of Dallas Public Safety Training Complex. The UNT site would host classroom instruction and recruit training, while the second facility — still in the planning phase — would house the vehicle training course and firing range. Funding shortfall remains significant The city has secured $25 million from the Texas Legislature and about $21.5 million in private donations or pledges. However, with construction costs rising, the city faces a projected shortfall of approximately $124 million. Council vote expected next week The council is expected to vote next week on an agreement with UNT Dallas to move forward with the training center. Tuesday's meeting was limited to a closed-door executive session, and no public discussion had taken place as of late afternoon.
Business Journals
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Southwest Airlines seeks gate extension at Love Field; Paramount-leased property could get film incentives
Fort Worth is weighing state film incentives for a large, Paramount-leased warehouse. One of the nation's largest airlines is looking to secure its long-term presence at a key Dallas airport, with plans that could reshape the facility's future. And a large plot of land near the UNT Dallas campus might be transformed into a walkable community.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Beloved Grand Prairie ISD teacher hopes he's made his own teacher proud
The Brief This week, Dickinson Elementary School's Mister C earned a master's degree in education from UNT Dallas. The Teacher of the Year has been making a difference in the lives of children for the past 13 years. He says it's all because of a teacher who made a difference in his life when he was growing up in Oak Cliff. GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - A Grand Prairie ISD teacher is not just an educator. He's a difference maker. And it all started because of the difference a teacher made in his life. The backstory Steve Cipriano said a teacher at Wittnnetka Elementary School in Dallas changed his life. "I grew up in the 90s, and at that time, I lived in Oak Cliff. And I just kind of lived that lifestyle, I guess you might say," he said. A teacher named Mister Sifuentes, who went by Mister Si, inspired him to do better. "He would see us trying to copy some of these gang writings and all that in our notebooks. And he always told us you don't need that. That's not for you," he said. Cipriano worked odd jobs after high school before becoming a substitute teacher in Grand Prairie ISD's disciplinary alternative program. "And in that moment, I was like, 'Hey, I know these kids. These kids were me.' And I really like that once those kids caught on to me, they were like, 'Hey, you coming back tomorrow?' I was like, 'I might. If they give me a job back, I'm coming back tomorrow,'" he said. Tomorrow turned into 13 years and counting. And in 2019, Cipriano decided to go to college. "2023 is when I finished my undergrad, and then I just kept going. And I went for my master's the following two years," he said. Earlier this week, Cipriana earned that master's degree from UNT Dallas. What they're saying Assistant Principal Angelique Gaona said the students at Dickenson Elementary love Mister C, as they call him. "They want to go with Mister C. Every time, Mister C. They like scream for him. They were super excited when he won Teacher of the Year. He was paraded around the school and everybody was super excited. That was one of the things I wanted to showcase about him because he's just so loved here," she said. What's next Cipriano said he's not done yet with his education. He's planning to go for his doctorate degree. "But in the meantime, I'll still be making my Mister C curriculum on YouTube. I'm always going to be involved with kids no matter what," he said. It's his way of continuing the legacy of his own Mister Si. "I don't even know where he's at, but I hope I'm making him proud somewhere," he said. The Source FOX 4's Shaun Rabb gathered details for this story by talking to teacher Steve Cipriano and Assistant Principal Angelique Gaona at Dickinson Elementary School in Grand Prairie.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
North Texas Food Bank volunteers undeterred by freezing weather during distribution event
The Brief Despite Friday's freezing weather, North Texas volunteers stood outside for hours to hand out food during a monthly distribution event at UNT Dallas. The volunteers handed out 22,000 pounds of food to about 150 needy families. At Fair Park's Grand Building, hundreds of vulnerable residents are still staying at the inclement weather shelter. All three North Texas inclement weather shelters are set to close on Saturday. DALLAS - The freezing temperatures are making the job difficult for volunteers with the North Texas Food Bank. But they say their work is too important to let cold weather stop them. Lots of North Texans rely on monthly food distributions in order to get their groceries. So despite the freezing temperatures, dozens of volunteers layered out and stood outside for hours in the cold to make sure folks got fed. And they weren't the only do-goers out and about in Friday's cold. What They're Doing Early Friday morning, dozens of volunteers braved the freezing temperatures to hand out 22,000 pounds of food to about 150 needy families. "I'm out here helping the community, giving to families who really need food and are hungry," said volunteer Brianna Aguilar. "And especially during these cold times, I know it's hard for people to go out." UNT Dallas hosts a monthly drive-thru food distribution event along with the North Texas Food Bank. It was about 25 degrees during Friday's hours-long operation. Recipients were grateful people showed up to hand out food in the frigid conditions. "It's a huge blessing for me and my family," said one food recipient. "I come out here to get stuff for my grandmother, who is unable to travel." Across town at Fair Park's Grand Building, hundreds of vulnerable residents are still staying at the inclement weather shelter. Our Calling CEO Wayne Walker has been running the 24-hour operation since it opened last Sunday. "This has been so difficult because we had so much inclement weather this year," he said. Walker says it's been taxing on the nonprofit's 60 staffers and countless volunteers who have been keeping it going. "It's a big stretch on our staff with time and overtime and all the challenges we see in a building that can hold 900 people," he said. What's next All three North Texas inclement weather shelters are set to close on Saturday. The Source Information in this article comes from interviews conducted by FOX 4 Reporter Alex Boyer.
