For those unfamiliar with the Lake Highlands Public Improvement District (PID), it's a special tax assessment district along Skillman Road, from LBJ to Abrams.

Covering over 500 acres, the PID represents an exciting partnership of over 700 commercial, condominium and townhome property owners located along the Skillman corridor.

The purpose of the PID is to fund public improvements and supplement basic services over and above those provided by the City of Dallas.

Specifically, the PID’s charter is to create and maintain a safe, attractive and dynamic economic environment that serves the surrounding community.

One of the first orders of business, based on the PID's high priority of improving public safety, was the establishment a Security Patrol program.

The patrol team is led by Sergeant Mark Johnson of the Dallas Police Department and staffed by several off-duty Dallas police officers. The team has been providing additional security patrols every day throughout the PID since October of 2009.

Sergeant Johnson is very pleased with the patrol.

"The increased presence of an extra police car in the PID is a great deterrent for crime," said Johnson.

"PID officers have been interacting closely with several different retailers and offering tips on how to stay vigilant. We are also work closely with PID residents, offering our assistance to supplement on-duty city patrols."

The Lake Highlands PID is one of eight public improvement districts located throughout the city of Dallas. In addition to increased security, PID funds also typically support landscaping, community signage, litter and graffiti management, park renovation and the marketing of local businesses.

Recently hired as Executive Director, Ms. Rebecca Range believes that public safety programs, combined with these other initiatives, will result in a revitalized and more appealing Skillman corridor.

"We envision the PID as having a robust crime watch program, and we also plan to use various marketing tools and events to promote the district," Range said.

Ms. Range comes to the Lake Highlands PID with a successful background of public sector service. She holds a graduate degree in Public Administration and is a military veteran, having served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force for more than 10 years.

Range has already met with many Lake Highlands residents and business owners to begin determining how best to focus the PID’s efforts.

"Lake Highlands is a great community, full of warm and energetic citizens and business owners," said Range. "We are looking forward to launching initiatives that will truly improve our standard of living and promote businesses."

The PID is managed by a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation led by a board of directors comprised of district property owners and local representatives.

Additionally, the board has members representing the City of Dallas Department of Economic Development and the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association. Financial oversight is provided by the City of Dallas and the Dallas City Council.

Dorinda Cavender represents The Woodmont Company and serves as the PID board vice-president. She is optimistic about the PID and what it can accomplish.

"There is much work to be done, but we are off to a strong start," said Cavender. "We have an ambitious agenda and hope to make a positive impact on the district, which in turn impacts the entire Lake Highlands community."

Just last month, the PID held an annual meeting for all property owners. Councilman Jerry Allen attended and offered a positive report.

"The Lake Highlands PID is a critical element in our arsenal of public tools, much like the Skillman Corridor TIF."

"We’re carefully utilizing these tools to spur economic development along the corridor. We want to put Lake Highlands on the map as a desirable destination to shop, work, live and play."

For more information on the LH Public Improvement District email Rebecca Range at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit the group's website here.

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Lake Highlands PID Board of Directors:

Stephanie Colovas, President
Prescott Realty Group

Dorinda Cavender, Vice President
The Woodmont Company

Mark Flynt
Behringer Harvard

Sharon Galipeau
Leaders Corporation

Sue Hounsel
City of Dallas
Office of Economic Development

Phil Scheble
Charter Holdings

Jack White
Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association