Dallas City Council eyes Fair Park development. How can it make sure South Dallas benefits?

Based on notes from Dallas Documenter Olivia West

As the City of Dallas looks to activate and revitalize Fair Park, staff and city council members have emphasized a need for the surrounding South Dallas community to benefit from the economic growth the park may experience. What exactly does that look like?

At an April 6 Parks, Trails & Environment Committee meeting, Park and Recreation Department staff briefed council members on Fair Park’s operations and revitalization strategy.

They highlighted HVAC repairs, grounds maintenance and increased security services since the city’s Park Department took over Fair Park operations last year. They also highlighted the hiring of more Fair Park employees, the introduction of high school football games and a weekly farmers market.

A major change to the park is a potential mixed-use development on the northeast corner.

Staff pointed to cities around the world that have relatively small private development in their parks. These developments function as non-traditional revenue opportunities that help pay for park maintenance and become activation spaces for bringing people in.

Staff said this kind of development could be beneficial to Fair Park, with a hotel, restaurants, retail, or a multipurpose entertainment facility as options that would fit the space.

Of Fair Park’s 277 acres of land, the development could take up about 35 acres, and it would be developed next to the 10-acre Community Park. The land is currently parking space that’s underutilized outside of the State Fair.

Park department leaders and city council members emphasized the need for this development to match the current character of Fair Park and contribute economically to the community.

Fair Park General Manager Brett Wulke said the organization they partner with for this must report economic benefit to the community via local hiring and workforce development.

Park and Recreation Director John Jenkins said they don’t want to do this development without community input. He hopes Fair Park as a whole has local community participation, promotes year-round activation and spreads of opportunities outside the park. He also wants to see better sidewalks, better traffic flow and increased patrols in the surrounding area.

Adam Bazaldua, District 7 City Council Member, agreed and said he wants to see specific tools and policies adopted to ensure that revenue that’s made stays at Fair Park and the surrounding area.

In May, the Parks Department is hosting two town halls to give residents the opportunity to learn more and discuss the future of Fair Park-

• Monday, May 4 | Cotton Bowl Stadium (6th Floor) at 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 12 | Vista Bank at 6 p.m.

Watch the full 4/6 Parks, Trails, and the Environment Committee meeting here.