Even after receiving a severe reprimand from the administration of the City of Dallas, the leadership of the large Watermark Church in North Dallas has stated that they are not going to withdraw from a campus in South Dallas (South Dallas).
In response to the rezoning denial that occurred on December 13 for a 12-acre middle school facility that the church purchased on South Second Avenue four years ago, an official stated that Watermark is still deciding how to respond to the situation.
Nothing that could be seen on Friday outside the building that formerly housed Pearl Anderson Middle School gave the impression that it was about to celebrate Christmas.
Carolyn Williams, a neighbor, had Christmas decorations outside her house, which was located directly across the street from the school that had been there.
They did a great deal of cleaning up. Williams stated that they worked really hard on it.
As seen via a front window, it was clear that something was taking place within the building, and it is possible that this was preparation for a service that was scheduled to take place on Christmas Eve at Watermark Church.
According to Williams, she has witnessed the weekly Watermark Sunday services as well as the Bible study that takes place on Wednesdays. Additionally, she has witnessed other services such as the provision of food to the South Dallas community, which was made possible by the well-off North Dallas church located on LBJ Freeway.
In response to the question, Williams stated, “Yes, it is coming from that place, the other church.”
In the past, critics have expressed uncertainty regarding several Watermark entities that were named during the course of several years of local discussion regarding the site under consideration.
The particular plans that Watermark had for the desired mixed-use walkable urban neighborhood zoning rather than school zoning were never made plain to the neighbors, according to Pastor Todd Atkins of the South Dallas Fair Park Coalition, which is a consortium of other churches.
“Despite the fact that this question has been the focus of a great number of public and community gatherings, the answer to this question continues to be ambiguous and is subject to constant change,” Atkins stated. Because Watermark does not have a clear partner, it is difficult to tell who the decision makers are and who has access to all of the information regarding the uses that Watermark would like to incorporate into the property.
At the meeting that took place on December 13th, Atkins was one of numerous public speakers who voiced their opposition to the rezoning.
Andrea Rush, who claimed to have served at the South Dallas campus, was one of the two individuals who acknowledged that they were members of Watermark.
According to Rush, “The fact of the matter is that Watermark is a business and does not function in the same manner as a church.” “They look out for their own interests. They work to enhance their brand. In addition to managing members in the same manner as employees, they are defending their image.
The Watermark request was met with opposition from a number of members of the Dallas City Council.
It is not acceptable to enter communities with an imperialistic mindset, with the intention of constructing your empire while showing disrespect to the people. It is not the big white hope that we know about. Carolyn King Arnold, a member of the Council, stated that this is how we understand the situation.
Omar Narvaez, a councilman from West Dallas, stated that people of Black and Brown communities anticipate collaboration from applicants.
No, you are not interested in getting to know us. The statement was made by Narvaez. “You want to impose something on our community without making us a partner.” It is not necessary to save them. They are in need of partners:
In the vicinity of the Watermark South Dallas campus, Councilman Adam Bazaldua is the representative for the adjacent area.
A great deal of ambiguity has been present. “There are far too many questions that have not been answered,” Bazaldua reported. “I strongly recommend that the applicant go back to the drawing board and do whatever it takes to earn the community’s trust,” I said.
In light of the fact that the rezoning proposal was denied without prejudice, the applicant is allowed to make another attempt.
In response to a request for comment on the matter made by NBC5, Watermark Communications Director Caitlin Van Wagoner issued the following statement via email:
“With regard to the recent rezoning proposal that was not approved by the Dallas City Council, we are currently conducting an evaluation and will decide what the next steps will be in the next time period.
Our South Dallas location is excited to welcome our neighbors for Christmas Eve services, and we look forward to the opportunity. We are thankful to be a member of the South Dallas community, and we look forward to many years of productive relationships and ministry together.
Representatives from Watermark have stated in the past that the rezoning request was made in order to make it possible for the South Dallas community to get enhanced services. On land that had previously been utilized as athletic fields for middle school athletics, it would have made it possible to develop new dwellings.
Williams said she is comfortable with how the site is being used now and supports the City Council’s decision to deny a rezoning request.
I couldn’t agree more, and I’d love to know what they’re talking about for myself, if you know what I mean. I wouldn’t just say, ‘Oh that’s fine.’ I want to see exactly because if it’s not going to improve it, I don’t think it would be a good thing,” Williams said.
1999 was the year when Watermark Church in North Dallas was established. The church website claims weekly attendance has grown to 9,000 people.
