Dallas Residents Split Over New H-E-B Store at Hillcrest and LBJ

A packed Dallas City Council meeting on Wednesday night drew a divided crowd as the city considered a new 127,000‑square‑foot H‑E‑B grocery store on the corner of Hillcrest Road and LBJ Freeway.

The Project

The proposed store would sit on a 10‑acre parcel and include a parking garage. H‑E‑B says the new location will bring convenience to the area and fill a long‑awaited need for a Texas‑style grocery chain.

Community Praise

Some neighbors greeted the plan with enthusiasm. Arielle Rosson, who lives nearby, said, “I know I hear they have really great products that are unique and specific to them, so I’m excited to check it out and see what they offer. I think it will be great. If I can walk to it, I think that will be great.” She viewed the store as a dream come true and a welcome addition.

Community Concerns

Other residents expressed worries about the impact on the neighborhood. Diane Glaser warned, “I fear that putting a store right in our backyard is going to hurt our property values. There’s going to be noise.” She also said, “H‑E‑B is saying to us that we’ll fix this and we’ll fix the traffic, we’ll fix the lights, the entrance and exit. But they’ve put nothing in writing. So we have nothing to hold on to. Once it’s a go, it’s a go.”

Gaylynn Spencer added, “For the older folks who’ve lived here for years, we’re very concerned about our neighborhood becoming a retail area.” Her comment reflected a broader fear that the new store could change the character of the community.

Traffic and Infrastructure

The intersection of Hillcrest and LBJ already shows congestion on a typical Thursday afternoon. H‑E‑B officials told NBC 5 that the company plans to add turn lanes and other upgrades to ease traffic, including a new right‑turn lane from northbound Hillcrest to eastbound LBJ. The grocer said it would continue working with the city on additional improvements as the project moves forward.

Uncertain Timeline

No specific date has been released for when construction will begin or when the store will open. H‑E‑B has not yet provided a break‑ground or opening timeline.

Key Takeaways

• The new H‑E‑B store will cover 127,000 square feet and sit on a 10‑acre site with a parking garage.
• Residents are divided: some praise the convenience, others fear property‑value loss, noise, and neighborhood change.
• H‑E‑B plans traffic‑relief upgrades, but some neighbors want written guarantees.

The Dallas City Council will continue to weigh the community’s concerns and the benefits of a new H‑E‑B store as the project moves forward.