Community cheers couple’s plan to build new homes in this Arlington neighborhood
Iris Hernandez and Jorge DelaTorre field a lot of questions about their project in East Arlington.
Tuesday evening, as DelaTorre walked around the fenced-in property — an empty lot at the corner of Kimberly and Monaco Drive — passersby asked about their plans for the spot. Hernandez receives several calls a day from investors about buying it from the family.
People who live nearby are often satisfied, DelaTorre said, when he responds that the couple will build single-family homes.
“Everybody’s like, ‘That’s great. That’s what we really want. We don’t want apartment complexes because they’re going to attract too much traffic,’” he said.
Since purchasing the property in 2014, Hernandez, a Realtor and Cook Children’s employee, and DelaTorre, who works in construction, had mulled a few ideas. The area is zoned for high density housing, making apartments or townhomes an easy option.
However, after hearing from the community and working with neighborhood group East Arlington Renewal, the couple decided to take a longer route to build homes that would fit with the community.
Hernandez and DelaTorre envision up to eight three- or four-bedroom homes for the area, with modern appeals such as high ceilings. The prices would likely range from $280,000 to $320,000.
“With the community seeing newer houses, I think they would probably want to update their own houses and try to match it,” Hernandez said.
City Council members approved DelaTorre and Hernandez’s request on first reading Jan. 26, after thanking them for proposing single-family housing at a time when developers are increasingly seeking approval for multifamily homes.
“We appreciate you,” said Helen Moise, District 1 council member. “Build some beautiful homes.”
The demand for homes in Arlington has outpaced the supply of homes on the market for years, according to Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center data. Home supply in 2020 fell below a month at the current sales pace.
Sue Phillips, president of East Arlington Renewal, said in a phone interview the couple’s collaboration with her group is an example of successful collaboration between neighborhoods and developers.
“That’s just the way you build community,” Phillips said.
Hernandez said they hope to break ground on the houses in the summer.
Community investment
At the height of Park Plaza Shopping Center popularity in East Arlington, the lot was a community center in the heart of one of one of the city’s most popular retail destinations.
The shopping center developer envisioned the lot, once known as Oasis Pool, as a country club-like attraction to complement the shopping center and surrounding Plaza Heights neighborhood in the late 1950s, Phillips said. Park Plaza lost its prominence in the mid 1970s, as development in South Arlington enticed many to move from the neighborhood. Lot ownership changed hands several times before DelaTorre and Hernandez purchased the property. By then, the pool was beyond repair.
Work on the property began as a family endeavor. DelaTorre and Hernandez, who lived near the property before moving to Burleson, rallied others to clear branches, cut grass and even remove the pool area with jackhammers. They also contended with people who vandalized the restroom area or camped out on the property and would jump out to scare them.
“It was scary to go there, to our own place,” Hernandez recalled.
Phillips, who connected with the DelaTorre-Hernandez family soon after they purchased the property, put them in touch with Arlington Police, who patrolled the property after dark. Phillips’ connections also secured the family a bulldozer, dumpsters and advice as they decided what to do with the space.
Hernandez said her and DelaTorre’s work with East Arlington Renewal has opened their eyes to the community involvement and dedication required to make effective change.
“They’re guiding us, showing us, telling us how to do it in the right way and how to go about things,” she said.
As city government takes up the couple’s proposal, Phillips has advocated on Hernandez and DelaTorre’s request in writing and in person as the zoning application moves through the bureaucratic channels.
“We have encouraged them to make that location something special to honor its history and to elevate East Arlington,” Phillips said. “They are committed, I believe, to do that.”
