NEWS

Dallas Morning News

By: Jana J. Martin

Jon Bon Jovi Visits City Walk: Smaller arenas, bigger message 2010

After two sold-out wekend shows in Dallas at the American Airlines Center, Jon Bon Jovi played to a much smaller crowd Monday. And it wasn't in typical rock star fashion.  Instead, he continued his education on how communities can combat homelessness taking tours of CityWalk@Akard and the Casa Youth Emergency Shelter.  "It's one soul at a time," Bon Jovi said.

Since Bon Jovi started the nonprofit Bon Jovi Foundation (formerly the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation) in 2006, he has built 250 affordable housing units in Philadelphia to the tune of $6MM.

During this concert tour, Bon Jovi has made a commitment to visit as many homeless shelters and foundations as possible in each of the cities he visits- to share ideas about the ongoing fight against homelessness.  Monday's first stop was CityWalk@Akard where Bon Jovi spent time talking to John Greenan, executive director of Central Dallas CDC, and Larry James, president and chief executive officer of Central Dallas Ministries.

CityWalk, which had its grand opening, last month, provides low-cost housing in Dallas to formerly homeless and low-income residents.  The facility offers furnished units in a downtown Dallas high-rise, with rents ranging from $350.00 to $912.00 per month, including itilities.  "It's run like an apartment complex," James said.  "We figure out a good person pays their rent and doesn't bother neighbors."

The mixed-use high-rise that will soon house a 7-Eleven and also offers business offices.  It also has penthouse lofts, pre-sold before the project even started.  "Those folks are clearing up theri own act because no one's pointing fingures, "Bon Jovi said.  Money and opposition from the neighbors is always the biggest issue when low-income housing projects are being considered.  But in the long run, these programs can save taxpayers money.  "We're saving taxpayers $50 million per year," James said

Dallas Business Journal
Cynthia D. Webb

Central Dallas Ministries has received $12 million in housing tax credits for its $23 million downtown apartment complex renovation project, City Walk at Akard.