07/10/2001

By Louise Applebome / The Dallas Morning News

They might not have won the lottery, but eight Oak Cliff neighborhood associations can boast extra money in their coffers this summer.

They received grants from the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League.

The OOCCL, founded in 1974, is interested in the conservation and revitalization of old neighborhoods. It has 25 Oak Cliff neighborhood members and has been handing out grants for five years.

This year's grant recipients were announced at the league's meeting in June.

The group gave away $14,010 this year. The eight member neighborhoods will get cash to use for neighborhood improvement projects. The grant program has given away $53,390 since its start.

The group from Wynnewood North plans to use its $500 grant, the smallest amount awarded this year, for benches and landscaping in two grassy triangles. Neighborhood association president Dean Rose said the project would improve the aesthetics in the neighborhood.

The Kessler Plaza group got the most – $3,850 – to be used for improvements at Moss Park.

Mr. Rose said his neighborhood association asked for $2,500 but got only partial funding because of insufficient information about irrigation needs. Mr. Rose said he was disappointed that the grant committee and guidelines didn't allow for errors and resubmission of applications prior to the deadline. "It's a learning process," he said.

The OOCCL grants are intended to supplement other funds raised for neighborhood projects, the group says. Money for the grants is raised solely from the league's fall tour of homes, said James Prothro, president of the OOCCL.

"It's one of the largest and oldest home tours in Dallas," Mr. Prothro said.

The homes for this year's Oct. 20-21 tour have not been confirmed, but 10 will probably make the cut, Mr. Prothro said. The selection committee looks for homes with architectural integrity and diversity. Many of them have undergone major renovations.

Some people go to get inspiration and ideas for their own home improvement projects, Mr. Prothro said. "For others, it's purely curiosity." There's intrigue in getting to snoop around someone's house, he said.

Mr. Prothro said they have increased the fund-raising goal this year from $20,000 to $40,000. And they plan to invite neighborhood schools to apply for their first grants next year.

"We realized that our neighborhoods do not exist in a microcosm," Mr. Prothro said. "The health of our neighborhoods is directly linked to the health of our schools."

The organization also has added an outdoor festival and a 5K run to this year's home tour activities. Mr. Prothro said close to 2,000 people toured the homes last year. "We're expecting much greater numbers this year because we're expanding our format," he added.

Scott Whitaker, president of the North Cliff Neighborhood Association said the money the house tour brings in for neighborhood grants is invaluable. "It's the only source we have," he said.

North Cliff received $3,500, which will be used to enhance sidewalk ramps at street corners.

Other grant recipients this year are Beverly Hills, $1,100 for sign toppers; Elmwood, $900 for crime-watch signs; Kessler Neighbors Unlimited, $2,580 for Edgefield/Kessler Parkway island beautification; Stevens Park Village, $1,020 for Leander Drive closure; and Winnetka Heights, $560 for crime-watch signs.

Only members of the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League are eligible to apply for grants. Neighborhood groups have two years to spend the money. Grants not used during that period are forfeited.

Mr. Whitaker said the grants from the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League help residents see they really can change things.

Added Mr. Whitaker: "You don't have to settle for things the way they are."

For more information about the grant program and the Oak Cliff fall home tour, call 972-606-3693, or visit the league's Web site, www.ooccl.org.