As part of the Dallas Catalyst Project (DCP), The Real Estate Council (TREC)—in partnership with St. Philip’s School & Community Center, Cornerstone Baptist Church, and CitySquare—began its work to revitalize parts of South Dallas and Fair Park in late 2017. Last week, the project hit a milestone with the We-Cycle Resource Center becoming one of the first new storefronts to open.

Operated by Bike Friendly South Dallas, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting bicycle safety and personal wellness, the We-Cycle Resource Center aims to help residents purchase, repair, and understand bicycles and cycling in the South Dallas area.

Bike Friendly South Dallas co-founder Ashly Evans Fields [Photo: Courtesy TREC]

The center was made possible by TREC’s Associate Leadership Council (ALC). This selective, 10-month leadership development program for commercial real estate professionals gives participants the opportunity to attend educational programs, receive personalized coaching, and implement a community service project.

For the project, the ALC Class of 2019 coordinated and oversaw all efforts that went into the creation of the We-Cycle Resource Center. The TREC Foundation, which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, provided funding for the space renovation.

“It was a project that allowed us to focus our resources and time in a way that we thought would have a very, very big impact,” Peter Yates, project manager and ALC Class of 2019 member, said. “It’s truly a community center as much as anything else.”

TREC ALC Class of 2019 [Photo: Courtesy TREC]

As its latest success, the We-Cycle Resource Center serves as a reminder of how far the DCP has come.

Initially launched as a three-year investment of $1M in grants and pro bono professional services, the project has since grown to an investment of over $4M.

Along with the We-Cycle Resource Center, this expansion has included a $2M Legacy Project Grant from the Dallas Stars Foundation; the Young Guns Casino Night-funded renovation of an abandoned retail building; and additional improvements to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Learning Center, a Dallas ISD school in the DCP area.