Outside the Walls: The Transformation of Dawson Jail

Dallas is a city of paradoxes. Flanking both sides of the West Commerce Street Bridge, the Dawson State Jail and a prison frame one of the most prominent gateways to the city. Dawson Jail, dubbed the city’s ugliest building, also earned a reputation as one of the country’s most poorly managed jails and was ultimately closed in 2013. In 2019, the Trinity Park Conservancy purchased the jail and announced their commitment to transform it from a place of incarceration into a community gateway to the park. While the program is yet to be defined, the conservancy is searching for a new vision that can transform the legacy of the building into one that can host programs committed to underserved communities, non-profits engaged in social justice, park facilities, and ultimately become an inspiring landmark changing the horizon of the city.