DALLAS, TX — The University of North Texas (UNT) Economic Research Group released results of a 25-year-long study of the economic impact of transit-oriented development in North Texas.
The key finding in the report is that development within a quarter mile of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail stations has generated $18.1 billion in direct economic impact to North Texas over the past 25 years. This includes a $1 billion direct impact in the two years from 2022 to 2024.
“The findings are not surprising because we know over the past 25 years of study that transit-oriented development around DART light rail stations results in commerce, tax revenue, and jobs,” said Michael Carroll, Ph.D., UNT’s University Economist and Director of the Economic Research Group. “When we center sustainable transportation in development, the result is beneficial in nearly every way.”
The study also found that rent premiums in transit-oriented developments were 10 percent higher for residential and 12.6 percent higher for commercial rents than units more than a half-mile from the station. Transit-oriented development is also a job creator, with 5,295 directly created jobs and more than $428 million in labor income in the last two years alone.
Construction around DART stations in 2022 to 2024 generated $51.5 million in state and local tax revenue, the bulk of which ($25.4 million) was from sales tax related to construction of the projects. In addition to this development-related sales tax, development around DART stations generated $21.1 million in property taxes, with $5 million in other state and local revenue from miscellaneous fees and fines. These numbers outpace the core pandemic years (2019 to 2021) when construction around DART stations generated $50 million ($1.4 million less) in state and local tax revenue.
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“When we talk about the role DART plays in the local economy, we mean that in a very literal sense, beyond just moving people to and from their jobs,” said Nadine Lee, DART CEO & President. “Every dollar generated by and within development around our light rail stations has the ability improve our cities, provide economic mobility and stability to our residents, and grow opportunity for North Texas.”
A number of transit-oriented development projects converting DART-owned parking at rail stations into walkable places are currently underway throughout the North Texas area including:
- Mockingbird Station, Dallas: A mixed-use development including two multifamily communities, an office tower, a hotel, and a 500-space underground DART parking lot will break ground soon and will replace approximately 11 acres of DART-owned land currently used for parking. A new public plaza and sidewalks will connect DART transit services to the new development and the surrounding community. The first phase of this development is expected to be finished in 2027.
- Trinity Mills Station, Carrollton: EVIVA Trinity Mills, a five-story, mixed-use development with a blend of residential and retail/restaurant spaces was completed in 2025. At completion, this $1 billion mixed-use development on 26 acres of city- and DART-owned land will include a public esplanade, office space, additional retail and residential space, and a planned hotel with direct access to DART transit.
- Addison Junction, Addison: a planned $240 million mixed-use development to be built on town- and DART-owned land surrounding the Addison Silver Line station will begin construction next year. Addison Junction, the result of a partnership between the Town of Addison, DART, and Quadrant Investment Partners, will include offices, a hotel, entertainment, restaurants, and enhanced outdoor amenities.
