Glenn Heights – a Best Southwest favorite

Special to Texas Metro News

GLENN HEIGHTS – For years, the City of Glenn Heights was a “best-kept secret” in southern Dallas County and northern Ellis County. These days, Mayor Sonja A. Brown said, “We are a thriving, multi-faceted, and forward-moving community with incredible potential.”

The city has indeed come a long way since it was incorporated in 1969. In 1980, the city saw a population of 1,033, which has now catapulted to 19,883 in 2025.

The growth is more than just new rooftops and roadways, though.

Brown said, “It’s about vision, purpose, and people. We are intentional about how we grow, prioritizing innovative development, strategic infrastructure investments, and a high quality of life for every resident. From welcoming new families and businesses to improving public safety and walkability, we’re building a city where people don’t just live – they belong, engage, and thrive.”

Glenn Heights has also received high accolades over the past few years with the completion of its Government Center. Known in the community as the City Center, it was completed in 2022 and marked a new chapter in service and accessibility for Glenn Heights’ residents.

The City Center consists of three purpose-driven buildings: City Hall, Public Safety, and the city’s first-ever Community Center. The latter, a hub for connection and enrichment, hosts a variety of programs and events for residents of all ages,

“The Glenn Heights City Center is more than a group of buildings. It’s a beacon of civic pride and community advancement, built to serve today and designed to meet the needs of future generations,” Brown said adding “Our beautiful City Center, the continued expansion of residential and commercial developments, and our commitment to preserving green spaces and small-town charm are the heart of Glenn Heights. Our partnerships with DeSoto and Red Oak ISDs reflect our dedication to educational excellence, and our community programs are shaping the next generation of leaders right here in Glenn Heights.”

The City Center has also added tremendous value to the City of Glenn Heights through improved access to services, enhanced public safety, increased community engagement, economic and developmental momentum, and as a symbol of identity and pride transforming Glenn Heights, not just structurally but socially, economically, and symbolically, while bringing lasting value to the city and its residents.

Another of the city’s proud accomplishments is the creation of the All-Abilities Park. Designed with inclusivity at its core, the park ensures children of all abilities, regardless of physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges, can experience the joy, freedom, and connection that play brings.

Other city highlights include:

• Glenn Heights is the southernmost member city of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) with a Park & Ride facility offering residents access to express bus service to Downtown Dallas and the Southwestern Medical District. The city is also served by DART GoLink, an on-demand ride service offering flexible transit options for in-city and limited local travel. Overall, this connectivity has been a game-changer for mobility, making it easier for residents to access jobs, education, and healthcare across the metroplex.
• Glenn Heights fosters unity and neighborhood pride through community events such as an annual event that brings neighborhoods, city staff, and city leaders together through block parties, while encouraging a strong sense of belonging among residents.
• Numerous community engagement events throughout the year include a Black History Expo, Small Business Expo, Hispanic Heritage Festival, and much more.
• In 2025, Glenn Heights will launch a Sunset Concert Series, bringing music, culture, and community together.
• The Glenn Heights Back-to-School Bash has, for a number of years, been equipping students and teachers with essential supplies and services as they prepare for the new academic year.
• A strong social safety net through partnerships and programs that include healthcare & food assistance with resources like CHIP, SNAP, and partnerships with local food pantries and health clinics.
• Senior Support Services, including home-delivered meals for qualifying residents.
• A comprehensive Community Resource List with access to shelters, medical services, and employment assistance.

Motivated by the increasing mental health struggles in communities, Mayor Brown also launched the Guardian Program to ensure individuals facing mental health challenges and special needs are met with compassion, understanding, and protection. With her strong passion for high-quality education, Mayor Brown also introduced the Academic and Citizenship Excellence (A.C.E.) Awards to celebrate the bright young minds shaping the future of Glenn Heights. She also created the S.P.A.R.K. Ambassador Program for youth in grades 3–12 to experience civic engagement through service, participation, advocacy, responsibility, and knowledge. As part of her ongoing efforts to advance the city, Mayor Sonja Brown has unveiled her 21st Century City Initiatives, a strategic vision for progress and innovation. The whole plan can be viewed at https://sonjaabrown.com/21st-century-initiatives.

Councilman Travis Bruton introduced the CVS Prescription Discount Program a couple of years ago, allowing for every household in Glenn Heights to receive a free prescription discount card, regardless of insurance status or income level, with no enrollment fees, no age restrictions, and no limits on usage.

The Season of Service is an annual initiative by Glenn Heights to support residents during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, providing free meal baskets to families in need. Through a recent collaboration with United MegaCare, Councilman Sherron Mosley helped secure turkeys and holiday meals to feed over one hundred families in need during the holidays. Additionally, Councilman Mosley has introduced home ownership to the city’s youth through his “Legacy of Wealth Home Buyer Seminar.” Councilman Mosley is also set to launch the Blue Line Mentorship Program, an initiative aimed at fostering meaningful connections between Glenn Heights youth and local law enforcement officers. 

Mayor Pro Tem Cornel Benford II introduced the Close-Up Program to the city and youth of Glenn Heights, taking four scholars from DeSoto ISD and four scholars from Red Oak ISD to Washington, D.C. for a week-long immersive experience to engage directly with lawmakers, participate in civic education activities, and gain invaluable insight into the legislative process. In addition, Mayor Pro Tem Benford introduced a free Financial Literacy Program, “Get Lit,” aimed at empowering the youth of Glenn Heights with essential financial knowledge and skills.

With these initiatives and successes throughout the community, commercial and residential development is also poised to steadily increase.

The vision for future commercial development in Glenn Heights is centered around creating a vibrant, well-balanced local economy that serves the everyday needs of residents while also attracting new visitors, businesses, and investment opportunities.

“As a city, we are actively working to expand commercial options, including the addition of grocery stores, restaurants, retail centers, and service-based businesses that will enhance the convenience, quality of life, and economic sustainability of our community,” Brown explained.

The city’s future-focused development approach includes:

• A grocery store and food access, prioritizing fresh, affordable, and healthy food options, as well as regional and national grocery chains and independent grocers.
• More shopping and dining options focused on mixed-use development that blends shopping, restaurants, and walkable public spaces.
• Innovative and sustainable growth with intentional commercial development while preserving Glenn Heights’ small-town charm.
• Enhancing infrastructure, improving roadways, and streamlining permitting processes to create a business-friendly environment.
• Creating a destination, not just a stop.

“The ultimate vision is to make Glenn Heights a destination city, not just a place to drive through but a place to stop, shop, dine, and stay,” Brown said. “With thoughtful planning and community input, we’re creating a commercial landscape that supports our residents, respects our character, and positions Glenn Heights for a prosperous future. In short, our approach to commercial development is rooted in responsiveness, responsibility, and results. We’re growing on purpose and with purpose to meet the needs of today while building the Glenn Heights of tomorrow.”

New home builds are also driving the growth in Glenn Heights.  Within the last five years, the city has seen a 26% growth rate in population and has more than doubled its taxable property values from $764 million to $1.7 billion.

Currently, there are three new housing developments that will add over 1,100 new single-family homes to Glenn Heights within the next five years. 

Glenn Heights City Manager Cliff Blackwell said, “The builders are very bullish about Glenn Heights. They favor its proximity to the Dallas metro area and the school districts. In addition, they claim the real estate in Glenn Heights is affordable. They have a better working relationship with our city leaders than most other cities, and they think the future Loop 9 will bring lots of visibility to the area.”

In preparation for the new growth in the residential and commercial sectors, Glenn Heights is also in the necessary planning stages for expanding its capital infrastructure, such as roadway, water, and sewer.”

“Growth is exciting,” Brown concluded. “But we’re not just growing; we’re evolving with purpose and heart. Glenn Heights is becoming a model of progress wrapped in community spirit. As mayor, I will continue working to ensure that every step we take forward is thoughtful, all-encompassing, and centered on the well-being of our residents.  The future of Glenn Heights is bright, and we’re just getting started.”

About the City of Glenn Heights: The City of Glenn Heights was incorporated in 1969 and is located along IH-35 East. A hospitable, business-friendly, and rapidly growing community situated in Dallas and Ellis counties, Glenn Heights has a total area of 7.2 sq. miles.