Johnson Requests Millions to Support Local North Texas Projects

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) is requesting funding for 20 local projects that will benefit North Texas families as Congress works to pass government spending bills.

"Bringing tax dollars back home to North Texas is about making smart, community-driven investments that improve people's daily lives," said Johnson. "Each of these projects was developed in close partnership with our local leaders, city officials, and community stakeholders to ensure we're meeting real needs on the ground. During the last community project funding negotiations, I secured more than $15 million for projects across our region, and I'm building on that progress with this new round of requests. Together, we're working to strengthen infrastructure, expand access to health care and education, and create economic opportunity across our region. From safer roads and better parks to workforce training and emergency preparedness, these investments reflect the priorities of North Texas communities. I'll keep fighting to deliver our share of federal resources and make sure North Texas families see real results."

The Community Project Funding process allows Members of Congress to request funds for critical initiatives in the communities they represent. Johnson requested the following projects be included in FY2027 spending bills (projects are listed in no particular order):

City of Balch Springs

1. $5,409,835 for the City of Balch Springs' Multipurpose Recreation Center Facility and Storm Shelter Facility

This project will be for the construction and development of a Multipurpose Recreation Center/Emergency Management Storm Shelter that will support youth recreational programs and serve the regional community and surrounding communities as a storm shelter during emergencies. This project represents a critical investment in public safety, community wellness, and long-term resilience for North Texas residents.

2. $6,293,300 for the City of Balch Springs' Shepherd Lane Improvement Project

This request would fund improvements on Shepherd Lane between Quail Drive and Seagoville Road. This will include reconstructing the existing two-lane concrete roadway into a three-lane concrete roadway with sidewalks, curb and gutter, and a shared-use path.

3. $6,594,360 for the City of Balch Springs' McKenzie Road Improvement Project

This funding will be used for roadway improvements to McKenzie Road. This will include reconstructing the existing two-lane concrete roadway into a four-lane roadway with sidewalks, a median, and a bike lane.

"The investment in infrastructure and development of a multi-purpose facility that these three projects will bring will serve as a catalyst for economic development in the City of Balch Springs as the gateway to SE Dallas County," said Mayor Rodney Taylor of the City of Balch Springs. "Improvements to our roadway system for such projects as Shepherd Lane and McKenzie Road will provide connectivity to our internal community neighborhoods, adjacent municipalities of Mesquite, Seagoville, and Dallas, and link the City to our nearby highway network systems of I-20, I-635, and US 175 for regional connectivity. Garnering support from our elected officials, as exemplified by the office of US Congresswoman Julie Johnson, in support of these three critical projects, demonstrates to the people of the City of Balch Springs the importance of mobility, safety, and capital infrastructure, which are the foundations of sustaining our country, starting from the local level."

Dallas County

1. $3,528,500 for Dallas County's Esperanza Community Center Health Clinic

This project will improve community health outcomes in Dallas County by constructing a health clinic at the local Esperanza Community Center, with a focus on general and family medicine, pediatrics, and dentistry. The funds will go toward the reconstruction and renovation of the space, to include examination rooms, laboratory areas, and restrooms.

"The Esperanza Community Center has already had a positive impact on the community by providing essential services, and with the additional support from Rep. Johnson, we will be able to establish a critical healthcare center at the facility," said Dallas County Commissioner Andy Sommerman (District 2). "The health clinic will have a tremendous impact on tapping into this potential, making the hope this community finds in Esperanza a reality."

UT Dallas

1. $2,000,000 for UT Dallas' Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Center (AMWDC)

The University of Texas at Dallas would establish an Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Center (AMWDC) that integrates cutting-edge instruction with immersive, industry-relevant hands-on training to meet the evolving workforce needs of the Texas technology-based economy. The funds would be used specifically for constructing a workshop space and acquiring equipment.

2. $2,000,000 for UT Dallas' Center for Nuclear Engineering Research and Workforce Development

This funding would establish the Center for Nuclear Engineering Research and Workforce Development at UT Dallas, a premier regional hub for advancing nuclear technologies and integrating them into the modern industrial landscape. As electricity demand surges due to the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers and the industrial electrification of Texas energy production, traditional grid infrastructure faces unprecedented strain.

3. $3,000,000 for UT Dallas' High-Density Power Electronic Systems (HIDEPS)

This funding will be used to establish the required equipment in HIDEPS, part of the UT Dallas North Texas Semiconductor Institute. An important outcome of the project will be the training of students who will gain knowledge and skills needed to manufacture and test systems for these applications. The proposed technology and testing capabilities will also be applicable to areas such as smart grid, energy, and autonomous vehicles, all of which are important to the North Texas business community.

4. $3,000,000 for UT Dallas' Institute for Responsible Artificial Intelligence

This funding for the UT Dallas Institute for Responsible Artificial Intelligence would be used to provide high-end GPU-based computer clusters and related equipment, as well as to cover staffing needs at the institute. The Institute will serve as a resource for educational institutions in the region and support the development of an AI workforce through customized academic programs.

"We are grateful to Representative Johnson for her support of these important projects, which will enable UT Dallas to enhance its ability to create the future workforce to support the technology economy of North Texas and our nation," said Dr. Prabhas V. Moghe, President of The University of Texas at Dallas.

City of Dallas

1. $500,000 for the City of Dallas' Forest Audelia Community Center

A partnership between Dallas Parks & Recreation, the Better Block Foundation, and the neighborhood, this project will transform a vacant, dilapidated shopping center into a neighborhood park and multipurpose center. The project will include indoor space for a cultural center, recreation center, library, police station, and boxing gym.

2. $2,000,000 for the City of Dallas' Masters Drive Park & Sports Complex

This project will develop a sports complex and neighborhood park on South Masters Drive in Pleasant Grove, directly across from H. Grady Spruce High School and A+ Academy Secondary School. The complex will transform approximately 10 acres of vacant land into active park space, including athletic fields, spectator seating, lighting, parking, and supporting amenities, in an area that currently lacks accessible parkland.

3. $5,000,000 for the City of Dallas' Skillman Street Infrastructure Improvements

The Skillman Road Infrastructure Improvements project will modernize 4.1 miles of a critical east Dallas corridor between Live Oak Street and Abrams Road through traffic signal upgrades, ADA-compliant sidewalk reconstruction, pedestrian crossing enhancements, median and landscaping improvements, intersection redesign, potential lane reconfiguration, and bicycle safety upgrades to reduce crashes, improve accessibility, and support neighborhood commercial activity.

4. $5,000,000 for the City of Dallas' Military Parkway Infrastructure Improvements

This project will support final design and construction of improvements to 4.2 miles of Military Parkway between Forney Road and Buckner Boulevard in the Parkdale Urbandale neighborhoods of Dallas, including implementation of priority Complete Streets improvements identified in the Military Parkway Complete Streets Corridor Study, including traffic calming, pedestrian crossings, ADA compliant sidewalks, bicycle facilities, intersection upgrades, and safety enhancements to reduce crashes and improve multimodal access along the corridor.

5. $5,000,000 for the City of Dallas' Bachman Lake Park Safety Improvements and Trail Connections

This funding would be used to construct grade-separated pedestrian and bicycle connections and to improve bridge corridor safety, eliminating dangerous crossings and providing safe, direct access to park amenities. Currently, residents seeking to access the park must cross complex intersections where roadway geometry and vehicle speeds pose significant barriers and safety risks. The project enhances access to public recreation, supports active transportation, and strengthens neighborhood connectivity.

6. $4,800,000 for the City of Dallas' Abrams Road Infrastructure Improvements

This project will include comprehensive corridor improvements along 3.3 miles of Abrams Road, from Richmond Avenue to Northwest Highway. Infrastructure improvements will include traffic signal modernization, ADA-compliant sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, median and streetscape enhancements, intersection redesign, potential lane reconfiguration, and bicycle safety improvements to reduce crashes, improve accessibility, and support neighborhood-serving commercial activity.

7. $4,500,000 for the City of Dallas' Garland Road Erosion Control Improvements

The Garland Road Erosion Control Improvements project will address severe shoreline erosion along White Rock Lake adjacent to Garland Road by installing approximately 1,125 linear feet of sheet piling bulkhead to permanently stabilize the shoreline, protect the White Rock Lake Trail and adjacent roadway infrastructure, enhance public safety, and preserve a major recreational and transportation asset.

8. $3,000,000 for the City of Dallas' Midway Road Safety Improvements

This project will fund safety improvements along Midway Road between Trinity Mills Road and the President George Bush Turnpike in Far North Dallas. Improvements include crash barriers, upgraded traffic signals, improved sidewalks and curbs, enhanced lighting, and upgraded signage and striping to reduce crashes and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and nearby residents.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

1. $5,000,000 for DART's Cityplace Tower Modernization Project

This project will comprehensively revitalize the interior of DART's only subterranean light rail passenger station at both the mezzanine and the lowest level. All finishes will be replaced with contemporary, durable materials to create a brighter, more comfortable rider experience while reducing long-term maintenance needs, and updated building systems will be seamlessly integrated to improve efficiency and sustainability.

2. $5,000,000 for DART's Cityplace Tunnel Cellular Service Project

This project will provide continuous cellular coverage throughout the 3.36-mile tunnel beneath the Cityplace light rail station, ensuring reliable communication for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) personnel, first responders, and riders traveling through the corridor. The system will enable first responders and transit staff to coordinate more effectively during incidents, improving response times, operational awareness, and overall safety within the tunnel environment.

"We would like to express our gratitude to Congresswoman Julie Johnson for partnering with DART on these two projects at Cityplace/Uptown Station," said Gene Gamez, DART's Acting President & CEO and General Counsel. "As part of DART's Transform program-focused on modernizing infrastructure, enhancing accessibility, and improving the overall rider experience-these investments are critical to ensuring the long-term reliability and safety of this vital asset. This station is DART's only underground rail platform, providing light rail service to thousands of daily riders on the Red Line, Blue Line, and Orange Lines, and serving as an important transfer point to the M-Line Trolley. We appreciate Congresswoman Johnson's continued commitment to DART and the transit riders of North Texas."

East Texas A&M University

1. $1,201,000 for East Texas A&M University/Dallas ISD's NASA Summer STEM Academy

This project will fund a summer-in-residence and/or a non-resident academy for Dallas ISD students, providing supplemental math and science education that integrates telescope use, planetarium shows, and biology and chemistry labs to engage students in space-themed curricula and strengthen their overall STEM knowledge.

"We're grateful to Congresswoman Johnson for her support of East Texas A&M and the NASA Summer STEM Academy," said Dr. Mark Rudin, President of East Texas A&M University. "This is a great opportunity to build on our partnership with Dallas ISD and give students a meaningful, hands-on experience through this program, especially at a time when so many Americans are watching the Artemis II mission with real excitement and curiosity."

Foremost Family Health/Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD)

1. $280,000 for MLK School's Based Medical and Dental Clinic

This funding will establish a new health center to provide medical and dental services to Dallas ISD students and residents in the surrounding area. Its primary goal is to remove barriers to care-such as cost, transportation, and the need for parents to miss work-by bringing high-quality medical and dental services into the school environment.

"I would like to thank Congresswoman Julie Johnson for supporting our Appropriations request for funding towards a new partnership by opening a new clinic in one of Dallas ISD's buildings located near Seagoville HS," said Joyce Tapley, Chief Executive Officer of Foremost Family Health Centers. "The funds awarded will allow Martin Luther King Jr. Family Clinic, dba Foremost Family Health Centers to expand our mission and offer comprehensive high-quality primary and preventive health care services for all ages, including pediatrics, family medicine, prenatal and post-partum care, mental health services, dentistry, lab services, pharmacy services and more to many residents in the neighborhoods near the Seagoville area, regardless of their ability to pay. As we celebrate our 40th year as a community-based health center, we are honored to develop healthier families through school-based partnerships, and we look forward to increasing opportunities to increase our workforce by recruiting qualified employees directly from local neighborhoods we serve."

Congresswoman Julie Johnson represents Texas' 32nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving on the Homeland Security Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Administration Committee. Her district includes parts of Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties.

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