As we ring in 2026, let’s look back at the moments that shaped the past year in Preston Hollow.

  1. After serving in an interim capacity since May 2024, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert was appointed as city manager by Dallas City Council.

  2. Dallas Pets Alive! and The Humane Society of Dallas County merged, bringing HSDC under the DPA! umbrella and giving DPA! its first traditional shelter space.

  3. An official timeline was finally announced for the renovation of the Preston Royal Branch Library at a community meeting. Instead of being rebuilt on a separate plot of land as originally planned, it will be fully renovated and is expected to be complete in the spring of 2028.

  4. The Mavs announced that everyone’s favorite Preston Hollow neighbor, Luka Dončić was traded to the Lakers, casting a dark cloud over the Metroplex. Grieving fans held a mock funeral outside the American Airlines Center, which included a casket bearing the Mavs’ logo.

  5. The Plaza at Preston Center kicked off its largest construction project in over a decade. The $5 million renovation came as the shopping center celebrated its 75th anniversary.

  6. Saks Global said that after a month of back-and-forth with neighbors and the City, it will keep the Downtown Neiman Marcus location open through the December holidays. A recent announcement said the store will remain open into 2026 while Saks works with the City to find a resolution.

  7. Justin Ball and Daniel C. Comeaux took their oaths of office, becoming the 18th Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief and Dallas’ 31st Chief of Police, respectively.

  8. Slightly over 8% of the county’s voters came out for Dallas County Election Day. Gay Donnell Willis was reelected as District 13’s Council member. The District 11 race led to a runoff as neither of the top candidates received 50% of the vote.

  9. Bill Roth is elected as District 11’s Council member in a runoff election, defeating Jeff Kitner.

  10. Audrey Bryant, a recent graduate from Ursuline Academy, was named Texas Gatorade Player of the Year for Girls Soccer. She is now playing soccer for the University of Texas at Austin.

  11. Dallas’ Director of Sanitation Cliff Gillespie briefed City Council on a proposed plan to phase out alleyway trash pickup for around 30,000 homes and charge others for continued alley service. The plan quickly garnered opposition from neighbors.

  12. Southwest Airlines announced it will change its boarding process to assigned seating starting Jan. 27. This year has seen a number of changes for the Dallas-based airline, including cancellation of the “Bags Fly Free” policy and changes in leadership.

  13. The neighborhood came together to support those affected by the Hill Country floods. The Good Shepherd Episcopal School’s Disaster Relief and Recovery Program visited the site, neighbors put green ribbons in their front yards to show support and local businesses donated to relief efforts.

  14. Dallas ISD students returned to school, adjusting to new legislation affecting the classroom. Students are no longer allowed to use personal communication devices during school hours, classrooms are required to display the Ten Commandments, and all library materials must be approved by the school board.

  15. The iconic shopping destination NorthPark Center turned 60 years old. Celebrations ran throughout the year, including different art exhibitions and a birthday party complete with live performances and face painting.

  16. Dallas Love Field Airport announced the completion of its master plan, including plans for concourse expansion, a new terminal headhouse, parking facilities, access roadways and support facilities.

  17. Dallas City Council approved a $5.5 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The budget included a lower property tax rate and a $63.1 million increase in funding for Dallas Fire-Rescue and Dallas Police Department.

  18. Despite some neighbors’ concerns about traffic, the City Plan and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a zoning change that would allow H-E-B to build its first Dallas location on the corner of Hillcrest Road and I-635.

  19. It is reported that Nancy Nasher and her husband David Haemisegger were about to land a $900 million loan to regain full control of NorthPark Center by buying out J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s equity stake. Nasher’s father, Raymond Nasher, developed the center in the early 1960s.

  20. After their Christmas light display caused a stir last December, Deloache Avenue neighbors returned with larger-than-life Halloween decorations. The display included skeletons and statues of Frankenstein’s monster, the grim reaper, a headless horseman, killer clowns and multiple Jack Skellingtons from the film The Nightmare Before Christmas.

  21. Neighbors David and Vanessa Cain chaired the annual Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala, helping the organization celebrate its 125th anniversary with a dinner, live auction, gala concert and afterparty.

  22. Friends of the Northaven Trail partnered with the City and The Colony-based Open Space to bring around 400 sheep and goats to naturally mow the trail through grazing. The animals drew crowds as they grazed, with one giving birth to a lamb during its time in our neighborhood.

  23. City council unanimously voted to move general elections for council members and mayoral races from May to November of odd-numbered years as a measure against sagging voter turnout.

  24. A·T Bistro and Adelmo’s Ristorante served their last plates in their current locations in our neighborhood. Both restaurants said they are looking for new locations to reopen.

  25. Walnut Hill Church, a Ministry of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church (formerly known as Walnut Hill United Methodist Church), held its last services. In 2020, the church merged with Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, which decided on the closure in October 2025.