One of Dallas’ newest council members plans to bring a Fresh Market to Oak Cliff. The plot at the corner of Sunnyvale and Lea Crest Drive sits empty. Soon though, it’s expected to look much different. Councilman Maxie Johnson, just eight months in his role for district four, has a vision. “A Fresh Market right here on the corner of Sunnyvale and Lea Crest in the heart of our community to fix some of the food blight that we have right here,” said Johnson. Johnson said they’ll break ground within the next 90 days. The $1.5 million Fresh Market project, supported by city and private funding, will be a hub for what he said the neighborhood has been wanting for years. “Fresh greens, fresh peas, fresh potatoes. Everything that we’ve been wanting, fresh vegetables, is going to be right here in our community,” he said. Several people in the community have already rallied behind him. Victor Alvelais is Executive Director for the Oak Cliff Empowerment Center, just feet away from where the Fresh Market will be. He said he welcomes the news. “This community has been underserved in a lot of areas, and food quality is one of those areas,” he said. Alvelais said a market there would send a message that they’re not forgotten. “A lot of times this community just wants someone that believes in them, someone that they can lean on, someone that they can help them through those tough times. Whether it’s trying to access some good food or stop a shooting or trying to get mentor,” Alvelais said. Johnson said this is just the beginning. “I’m focusing on public safety and cleaning up our community and bringing economic development right here that creates jobs and opportunity and growth,” he said. ...read more read less