Reshaping Wheatland Plaza for Generations
SHOT AND WRITTEN BY: CLIFF STANDARD CO
Monte Anderson's interest in Wheatland Plaza stretches far beyond redevelopment; it's also a personal mission rooted in over 60 years of life and work in southern Dallas County. He and his team, along with a growing number of great tenants, have started to transform Wheatland Plaza from a latent strip center into a bustling community hub; and the fun is only just beginning. "We see more than just a shopping center," Monte said. "Wheatland Plaza is a vital link in the heart of Duncanville connecting neighborhoods, schools, and essential services…there is so much potential.”
“Wheatland Plaza is a vital link in the heart of Duncanville … there is so much potential.”
His interest didn’t develop overnight. For many years as a resident in the area, Monte drove by it and dreamed about what it could be one day. While the architecture left something to be desired, there were some beautiful parts already built into it. “Wheatland Plaza is connected directly to the surrounding neighborhood by this amazing tree-lined street…it’s the best part and why I was originally interested,” he said.
But there was a lot of work to be done; light poles had fallen and much of the plaza was in disrepair. And there was the ultimate question about what the stakeholders and community wanted this space to be–to Monte, that’s what really matters, after all.
So before taking any steps, he secured the backing of key stakeholders and the local community. “I went to twenty of the leaders in the community and decided if I get a single ‘no’, I’m not doing this project,” he said. They gave him a unanimous green light. So he then went to the community, hosting a town hall meeting that also overwhelmingly affirmed his plans.
Before the meeting, he had decided that if more than 5 people opposed the project, he would stop it in its tracks. Over 300 residents voiced their support for the project, with only two voting in opposition. "Their enthusiasm fueled our efforts. It affirmed that we were on the right path," he said. He then spoke with the city, who enthusiastically agreed to partner with him on the project.
“Our focus is on building a stronger, more vibrant community for generations to come.”
If this sounds a little unconventional to you, that’s because it is. Most developers don’t operate this way. To understand Monte and the work of Options Real Estate, you need to understand his farm-centered philosophy. It’s based on timeless principles and embodied in 12, easy-to-remember “steps for Town Making” – this is his lived playbook for all of the work he does. Take step #1, for instance: Find your farm and commit to it for your life. Monte has committed his life to Southern Dallas County–all 60 years of it. He’s never really worked on a project north of the Trinity River. He sticks to his farm. Step #2 is to get to know your neighbors. Monte is a resident of Duncanville and went to his neighbors immediately when this project came up. He’s a member of the community where he looks for development opportunities.
I’ll skip forward to step #10 because it’s appropriate here: Move into your project. Very soon, Options Real Estate will be moving its headquarters into Wheatland Plaza in the soon-to-be-opened CoLab workspace.
Wheatland Plaza is basically leased up, with one space as an exception. “I’m looking for the perfect food or grocer concept that will fit the ecosystem,” he said.
One of the newest tenants is the MacMillan Institute, which aims to empower public school educators to deliver liberating education that helps students thrive in democratic societies. With roots in the longstanding Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, it offers a unique Pre-K—12 humanities curriculum to promote academic and social equity.
There’s also A+ Academy Driving School. When asked why he thought they might be a good tenant for the plaza, Monte said that the youthful energy of students learning to drive is good for the area. “They might also drop by the cafe next door or the snow cone shop or the barbershop,” he said. It’s an ecosystem; you want to plant the right plants at the right time so that the entire environment is more healthy.
These new businesses are operating alongside of some longtime key tenants that we’ve highlighted before – such as Kim & Jenny’s, Every Seasons, and Big Mike’s.
And like we said at the beginning of this piece, the fun is only getting started. “Next, we’re planning to put apartments in the middle with some mixed-use opportunities on the first floor,” he said. That will help increase density while also providing a symbiotic relationship between residents and retail and services in the plaza. Looking ahead, Monte remains optimistic about Wheatland Plaza's future. "Our focus is on building a stronger, more vibrant community for generations to come."
You can stay informed about the future plans for Wheatland Plaza by following along here and with him on social media. And above all, come visit Wheatland Plaza to see it for yourself!
SHOT AND WRITTEN BY:
