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Redevelopment of old Lake Highlands apartments possible?

The new owners of several Lake Highlands apartment properties are exploring the possibility of turning four complexes into mixed-use developments.

Ronald Weisfeld is part of the local partnership that recently acquired the Adagio Palms, Toscana Palms, Sontera Palms and Montecito Palms apartments in the north Lake Highlands area. He and his partners have initiated a feasibility study to analyze the financial possibility of redeveloping the properties into a mix of residential and retail uses. The goal is “for a majority of the property to be used for residential owner occupied homes,” he says. Redevelopment would be contingent on financial assistance from the Lake Highlands TIF (Tax Increment Financing along the Skillman Corridor) and the City of Dallas planned development approval, he says.

Though this is only in the analysis phase, the implications such an idea has for the Lake Highlands area, home to a glut of the city’s affordable housing, are vast — according to Weisfeld, these four apartment communities contain 1,060 apartment homes and are more than 90 percent occupied. If analysis shows the complete redevelopment to be unfeasible, Weisfeld promises renovations to the existing buildings, which all were built well over 30 years ago. Prior to acquiring these properties, Weisfeld and partners bought and renovated both the 120-unit Everwood apartments and the 65-unit Newport Condominiums.

New Highlands Café owner to make changes

L Streets resident and restaurateur Peter Touris recently bought the Lake Highlands Café, and he says “exciting changes are in store.” His main motivation in purchasing the restaurant was to expand on what he believes the neighborhood is missing — brunch. He says he gradually will make changes to the restaurant including an updated menu and table service.

More business bits

C.C. Young retirement community adds to campus

A covered performance pavilion with seating for 150 and outdoor seating shaded by 30-foottall and newly planted live oak trees will be features of a new campus, Central Park, under construction at C.C. Young Senior Living Center, 4847 W. Lawther at Mockingbird. When completed next month, the park will be located at a central point in the campus and will be adjacent to C.C. Young’s The Point, Center for Arts and Education building, and the six-story Overlook building. Funding for the new park and pavilion was provided by Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt. Matthew Murrey Design and D2 Architecture handled planning the landscaping and the pavilion.

Lake Highlands writer launches Fan Fiction site

Lake Highlands resident Dru Ubben recently launched a site called Authors Tea, which provides a forum for writers of, mostly, fan fiction. She says her teenage daughter introduced her to fan fiction. Some 30 authors from around the globe volunteered their time and expertise to make the Author’s Tea site a reality, says Ubben.

1 Dallas ISD recenlty employed the architects at Dallasbased th+a to remodel Robert T. Hill Middle School in Old Lake Highlands. 2 Just Dogs “A Taste of Chicago” is coming soon to 5942 Abrams near Northwest Highway. 3 McCree Cemetery, located near Walnut Hill and Audelia, is moving forward with restoration efforts thanks to a $200,000 grant received by Dallas Preservation last fall. 4 Park Lane Ranch, located near Top Golf on Skillman, closed in March.