‘We had to own the land’: How the Forest Theater became a neighborhood revitalization project

‘We had to own the land’: How the Forest Theater became a neighborhood revitalization project

What originally started as an effort to revive the theater has expanded in scope, with Forest Forward acquiring several surrounding parcels of land between Julius Schepps Freeway and SM Wright Freeway. Forest Forward now owns the theater, the former liquor store just north of the theater, the gas station next door to the liquor store, and the lots behind the theater where an infamous gambling house once stood.

South Dallas

Jennie Trejo - April 3, 2024

How much land does Forest Forward own around the Forest Theater?

How much land does Forest Forward own around the Forest Theater?

The nonprofit Forest Forward owns South Dallas' historic Forest Theater and about 20 pieces of land surrounding it.

South Dallas

Renee Umsted - April 3, 2024

‘Transformational’ news on South Dallas’ historic Forest Theater coming in February

‘Transformational’ news on South Dallas’ historic Forest Theater coming in February

“I’ve never seen the marquee light up before,” noted Elizabeth Wattley in a September 2019 podcast about CitySquare’s restoration of the historic Forest Theater. As a child, the theater was an icon Wattley knew well, and even though the Forest was unoccupied in much of Wattley’s remembrance, she still recognized it as “a landmark and a […]

South Dallas

Keri Mitchell - January 21, 2021