The Brief
- Dallas faces a $55 million maintenance backlog at Fair Park, primarily for HVAC, plumbing, and roof repairs.
- Officials plan to fund repairs through new development inspired by New York’s Brooklyn Bridge Park, including hotels and restaurants on 50 acres of Fair Park parking lots.
- A $7 million fundraising gap remains for a planned community park, which must be secured by Aug. 25 to allow for groundbreaking.
DALLAS – It’s now been more than six months since the city of Dallas took over operations at Fair Park from a company that was accused of misusing funds.
The deferred maintenance at the park now totals $55 million. But leaders believe the costs can be funded through money generated by events and the development they hope to bring to the area.
Fair Park Maintenance
“This hasn’t been an easy road, but guess what? It is going to be something all of us are going to look back at two years from today and say it was well worth it,” said John Jenkins, the director of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.
The bumpy road is not over just yet. Fair Park still needs an estimated $55 million in HVAC, plumbing, and roof repairs.…