Dallas is backing a long-range vision to reshape downtown as the area faces the departure of major corporate and entertainment anchors, with a goal of increasing its residential population from about 16,000 to 32,000 by 2036. City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert expressed support for Downtown Dallas Inc.’s Vision 2036 in an opinion piece. In an Oct. 9 memo to the mayor and City Council, Assistant City Manager Robin Bentley said the city’s Office of Economic Development would continue working with the nonprofit to finalize the vision and develop ways to carry it out. The proposals come as AT&T plans to move its headquarters to Plano, the downtown Neiman Marcus flagship has closed, and the Dallas Mavericks and Stars are planning to leave American Airlines Center after the 2030-31 season. Initiatives outlined in a presentation accompanying the city memo include advancing three major office-to-residential conversion projects, creating incentives for new housing and coordinating with AT&T on the future of its Discovery District. The vision also calls for a downtown urban trail linking nearby neighborhoods and regional trails, upgrades to the DART transit mall and key pedestrian corridors, and grants to help fill empty ground-floor retail spaces. The presentation points to $14.9 million in existing bond funding for proposed improvements to Harwood Street, including changes intended to make the corridor more pedestrian-friendly. Downtown Dallas Inc. presented the broader vision at a Sept. 30 event. The city’s support does not amount to formal City Council adoption, and the memo does not commit funding for every proposed initiative. The economic development office is expected to continue working with the nonprofit as the plan and implementation strategies are finalized.