Live, work and play in DeSoto — a progressive community with a small-town feeling, rich in diversity and the cultural arts. Located in the “Best Southwest,” (the southwest corner of Dallas County), DeSoto offers fine housing, friendly neighborhoods, a great school system, expanding health facilities, multiple family and sports parks and restaurants and shopping. Nestled in an area sometimes referred to as the Hill Country of North Texas, DeSoto is peacefully sheltered from big-city congestion, but has all the benefits of a “small-town” atmosphere.

The largest of four communities in Best Southwest Dallas County, DeSoto exemplifies the advantages of living and working in the area with five key attributes: tremendous housing values, shorter commutes, clean air, excellent schools and quality health facilities and services. With a population of more than 53,000, DeSoto is a diverse community of neighborhoods and families where planning for the future is a priority.

The city is constantly improving its park system to accommodate many active youth sports programs and family activities. Public safety is a priority in DeSoto as well, evidenced by the state-of-the-art police facility and recent passage of a bond election, which includes renovations and improvements of two fire stations. DeSoto was one of the first departments in the state to put body cameras on every officer.

DeSoto Town Center exhibits the innovative thinking of city leaders. In the early 1990s, officials converted an abandoned strip center into The Town Center. It has become an anchor of the community, housing city administrative offices, the recreation center, civic center, library, a “Black Box” Corner Theatre and an outdoor amphitheater.

The City of DeSoto has been studying ways to revitalize the Hampton Road Corridor, the main artery through the city’s central business district that had begun to look old and dated. In 2015, voters passed a bond issue authorizing the purchase of underutilized properties along the corridor. These are being cleared and made available for modern development.

The city council and staff stand ready to continue facilitating the economic health and growth of our community. A national developer partnered with the City of DeSoto to develop a mixed-use project just west of DeSoto Town Center (the former parking lot for the city complex) that features 35,600 square feet of retail space, one- and two-bedroom residential units and a 360-space parking garage. This concept embraces the new urbanism trend with a mix of retail and residential units. It provides consumer traffic for retail establishments both during the day as patrons visit the library, city hall and recreation center and in the evening as Town Center residents return home to patronize shops and restaurants in the development.

As the city continues to boom with new businesses, DeSoto maintains its sense of community. Annual events — such as the DeSoto Living! Festival, Juneteenth and Fourth of July Celebrations, Crawfish Festival and other events — keep DeSoto’s hometown spirit alive.

A rallying point for the DeSoto community is its dynamic public school system, which has achieved success academically and in a variety of extracurricular activities. With public and private schools and a vast number of colleges and universities in the area, DeSoto residents take pride in academic achievement. Great schools, great people and a great location — residents have it all in DeSoto!

DeSoto’s superb location; competitive land prices; beautiful and developed business park; an ethnically diverse, educated and skilled workforce; and pro-business attitude offer a bright future for new, relocating and expanding businesses. Strategically located in the DFW Metroplex at the crossroads of I-20, I-35E and SH 67, less than 20 minutes south of downtown Dallas and 30 miles from DFW International Airport, this city offers companies a strong foundation on which to flourish.

DeSoto still has land available for industrial and commercial development in the Eagle Industrial and Business Park. This area is home to leading companies such as Kohls Fulfilment Center, Walmart Distribution Center, Solar Turbines, ZEP Manufacturing, DIAB, Inc., Kauffman Tire, DW Distribution, Trybus, Sew Eurodrive and Kohler Company.

The DeSoto Economic Development Corporation is funded by economic development sales tax revenue and exists to promote the growth and attraction of businesses that enhance the level of employment, the economic base and the quality of life for all citizens. To achieve these goals, the DEDC works hard to support and attract new and expanding companies and creatively customizes incentive packages based on individual business needs.

A company can find all the business services it needs in DeSoto. The area has many attorneys, accountants, insurance agencies and financial institutions. Nearby major retailers carry supplies, equipment, furniture and services to meet any business need. A variety of printers, copy centers and sign shops can help owners get the word out about their business. Employment agencies are available for those seeking new employees or individuals looking for a new job. Visit the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce website at www.desotochamber.org and click on Member Directory for quick links to member businesses.

Commercial development in DeSoto has remained strong and steady in recent years. However, the city has particularly experienced an abundance of activity in the hotel business. Newly built hotels on the west access road of I-35E include the Home2 Suites by Hilton at Centre Park Boulevard and the Glo by Best Western between Meadows Parkway and Southpointe Drive. In addition, a new Comfort Suites is situated on Wintergreen Road just west of I-35E.

Other key commercial development projects include a potential new retail power center south of Belt Line Road on I-35E, a recently completed shopping center and grand entrance into the city on the southwest corner of I-35E, a new 47,000-square-foot shopping plaza adjacent to the Walmart on Belt Line, a potential mixed-use development at Wintergreen and Cockrell Hill and the mixed-use, commercial/residential project at city hall.

Significant growth is also taking place in the city’s medical area including a $40 million medical office park at U.S. Highway 67 and Wheatland Road by Methodist Charlton Medical Center. At full build-out, this multi-phase development will include a long-term acute care hospital, a medical office building, medical office condos and commercial outlots, which house the extended-stay TownePlace Suites by Marriott, restaurants and other commercial service facilities.

The DeSoto Economic Development Corporation Board and staff work diligently to attract new industrial, commercial, and retail projects. They coordinate incentives on a case by case basis, finance the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund, and offer business retention/expansion and site selection services. The DEDC offices are inside DeSoto Town Center at 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd. For more information, visit www.dedc.org or call (972) 230-9611.

A variety of hotels are available in DeSoto for visitors  who want to spend some time touring local and area attractions. DeSoto’s proximity to Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington makes it the ideal location for dining and entertainment without the hassle of big-city traffic.

DeSoto can meet anyone’s dining needs. The city’s superb food choices include name brand eateries and mom-and-pop diners serving Mexican, Asian, Italian, steak, seafood, barbecue or home-style cooking. DeSoto has about a dozen food trucks that regularly sell in the area. So, whether the occasion calls for an elegant or romantic dinner, a casual family restaurant or fast food, DeSoto has plentiful choices.

Boasting an assortment of retailers, DeSoto makes shopping a pleasant and convenient experience. Within the city limits, DeSoto shoppers can take advantage of discount outlets, grocers, hardware and houseware retailers and a number of small specialty shops and boutiques to meet the needs of area residents. Fresh produce and groceries are available at major supermarkets, budget-friendly value stores and a Farmers Market.

DeSoto’s locally owned jewelry store offers the services of a certified gemologist who is a member of the Gemological Institute of America, the American Gem Society and the Independent Jewelers Organization. National chains like Payless Shoe Source, Beall’s Department Store and Walmart Supercenter are located in DeSoto as well.

The neighboring city of Cedar Hill has a variety of restaurants, retail shops (including an upscale clothing boutique for women) and movie theater. Cedar Hill also features Hillside Village, an outdoor shopping mall complex with dozens of national retail stores and eateries.

DeSoto’s location at the intersection of I-35 and I-20 gives shoppers easy access to major malls in Dallas and Arlington. This means that DeSoto residents have a variety of specialty shops, boutiques and malls at their fingertips — from national retailers to one-of-a-kind stores.

In DeSoto, recreation is part of life and something the city strives to promote. The outstanding recreational facilities available in DeSoto make it the envy of surrounding communities.

With 21 parks and additional improvements on the way, DeSoto’s residents are never far away from taking a nice stroll. Park facilities feature picnic and playground areas as well as nature and walking trails. Free music and entertainment is often available at the DeSoto Amphitheater and the Black Box Corner Theatre.

DeSoto parks support its vast number of recreational sports. Sports fields cater to baseball, football, soccer and softball, and basketball courts are available as well. Organized programs include youth baseball, softball and youth football at Meadow Creek Park — all offered through the nationally accredited DeSoto Parks and Recreation Department.

The Aquatic Center in Mosley Park provides relief from hot summer days and features water slides and fountains.

DeSoto also boasts the first covered track BMX Bicycle racing facility in the United States. The site hosts several international and national competitions each year, and racers use the facility daily. The dirt track consists of carefully constructed hills and sharp turns, and is the only BMX track
south of Dallas.

The DeSoto Recreation Center at Town Center offers residents a variety of opportunities to stay in shape. The center features two full-sized gymnasiums, an indoor walking track, multi-purpose area and a state-of-the-art equipped fitness center. A range of classes are available year-round, including dance, karate, ballet, spin-cycling and Zumba.

The DeSoto Public Library in DeSoto Town Center is fully automated with Internet access, and offers a getaway for book lovers or those who need a place to study. The library is open six days a week and hosts programs throughout the year, including book fairs, Story Time and the Summer Reading Program, which features weekly performances by authors, clowns and magicians.

First-class facilities for golf and tennis are located at Thorntree Country Club, 825 W. Wintergreen Rd. in DeSoto. The club offers 18 holes of challenging golf and private tennis and swimming facilities. Banquet and meeting rooms also are available.

Those who wish to spend a day at the lake need only travel a few minutes to Joe Pool Lake and Cedar Hill State Park, which offer fishing, boating, camping and water sports.

Nance Farm is one of the oldest homes in North Texas. This museum – open by appointment and for special events – celebrates the history of DeSoto and is the site of DeSoto’s veterans memorial.

In addition, families are just minutes away from movie theaters, bowling, miniature golf, roller-skating and ice-skating. For an entire day of fun, Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor in nearby Arlington offer roller coasters and water slides. Easy access to I-35 and I-20 also puts DeSoto residents within minutes of clubs and attractions in downtown Dallas and Fort Worth.