Officials take photos with Reliant Energy mascot Hugo after a news conference marking the opening of a cooling center at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Dallas. Reliant Energy is teaming up with the city of Dallas to help people stay cool during the Texas summer heat.The West Dallas Multipurpose Center, 2828 Fish Trap Road, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
“I don’t know if you’ve gone to the store recently to look for one … they can be very, very pricey and for some of our residents, it’s just out of reach for them to be able to afford,” Narvaez said.Ashley Hutto, manager of the West Dallas Multipurpose Center, said only Dallas residents are eligible to apply for an air conditioning unit. Community members with disabilities, senior citizens and families with young children are prioritized.
Hutto said the center was able to meet “all but about 15 people’s needs” last summer, and that some community members even contributed to the cooling efforts themselves by donating additional air conditioning units to be redistributed.“Oh, yeah, it’s a nice place. Very friendly. Yeah, they feed you … a good place to come in and cool out from the heat and relax your mind, get your thoughts together and meet new friends,” he said.