A Dallas landmark known for being a music venue is on the stage for a renovation to make it a grand powerhouse again according to a Dallas Morning News article from September 6. They say,
“The city is being asked to provide financial incentives for the plan to preserve and repurpose the landmark Longhorn Ballroom on Corinth Street south of downtown.
Built in 1950 as a showplace for legendary Western swing artists Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, the more than 30,000-square-foot music venue and dance hall has played host to a wide array of entertainers over the years.
A partnership led by businessman Edwin Cabaniss is asking the city to provide more than $4 million in economic incentives to restore and expand the Longhorn Ballroom complex.
Cabaniss has a track record after redeveloping Oak Cliff’s Kessler Theater and the Heights Theater in Houston. He wants to spend more than $14 million to restore and expand the Longhorn Ballroom, including a new 2-acre outdoor “backyard” event space.”
The city officials are being asked to approve the renovation project and they are on board with it according to an NBC 5 DFW article from September 7 which reports,
“Members of the Dallas City Council Economic Development Committee strongly endorsed the plan they heard Tuesday. It’s in Councilman Jesse Moreno’s District 2.
“I’m fully supportive of this project. I want to thank all the departments for making this happen and I look forward to the groundbreaking, the ribbon cutting and that first concert,” Moreno said.
Committee Chairman Tennell Atkins said Dallas must not forget the history that built the city.
“The Longhorn Ballroom has been the history of the city of Dallas and that was the only venue we had for many, many years for great artists who came here. And right now, we’re looking at what can we do today,” Atkins said.
City staff members working with the developer said the revived Longhorn Ballroom would serve as an anchor for redevelopment in that part of Dallas.”
The next deliberation is set on September 28 and the developer is being required to convince the entire council and the people that the project will be extremely beneficial and productive.
