City Hall Roundup: Park Priorities, Crosswalk Cave, Library Damage
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It’s still cold outside, but at least everyone’s getting back into the groove of things, more or less. Plenty of meetings at Dallas City Hall were canceled early in the week, but there’s still some news coming out of 1500 Marilla St.
City Council Takes Control of Community Park Project From Park Board
Frustration over the long-delayed community park promised to South Dallas residents led to the city council taking away the Dallas Park & Recreation Board’s power over the project.
At issue was whether the nonprofit Fair Park First, which has been under scrutiny following its previous oversight of Fair Park, should be given the contract to build the park. Park board officials have been hesitant about entering into a development agreement with them after their contract (and that of their subcontractor, Oak View Group) was scrapped following years of alleged mismanagement and misuse of millions of dollars in donations.
Dallas Park & Recreation Board authority includes control, management, and maintenance of city park property, with park services falling outside the primary City Hall structure under the city manager. In the aftermath of the city’s contractual breakup with Fair Park First, Arun Agarwal, chair of the board, initiated a task force to review Fair Park First’s work, but that assessment hasn’t been completed yet.
“Park board has tried to do its duty and be fair to what they are appointed for,” he said. “They fully support the community park. Council’s decision is short-circuiting process to favor a contract to an organization which has failed in the past.”
Some $8.6 million in federal grants were under threat of expiring, giving impetus to supporters of the community park to lobby harder for the project’s advancement. Private donations were also purportedly at risk.
“I recently met with donors who have collectively committed $5 million to this project. They shared concerns about ongoing delays, and one noted that their board will meet on February 6 to confirm that these funds remain dedicated to the Fair Park Community Park,” said Council Member Adam Bazaldua (District 7), who represents the area. “Like the community they are investing in, these donors want to see this promise fulfilled.”
The proposed development agreement with Fair Park First will go before the Parks, Trails & Environment Committee on February 12 for review and finalizing. If advanced by the committee, the full city council will take it up on February 25.
Winter Weather Claims Southeast Dallas Library
Kleberg-Rylie Branch Library in southeastern Dallas is temporarily closed after sustaining water damage during last week’s freeze.
“The fire suppression line break has affected the entire facility, and there was a large volume of water standing in all areas of the library,” Library Director Manya Shorr said. “While we cannot yet provide a timeline, this will require an extended closure. Once line repairs have been made and extraction has been completed, the City will make necessary repairs.”
It could take months to get the library back to working order. All the flooring will have to be replaced, and there was still standing water in the building as of Friday. The full scope of needed repairs has yet to be determined.
Winter Storm Fern blanketed ice and snow across the Metroplex last weekend, leading to the suspension of garbage pickup and numerous school and municipal closures well into the working week.
At least 11 deaths related to the freeze have been reported, including four children who fell through the ice on a frozen pond near Bonham.
Rainbow Crosswalks To Be Scrubbed After City Says It Will Comply With New TxDOT Rules
The rainbow crosswalks on Cedar Springs Road and other non-standard roadway markings are going to have to go, with the city notifying the Texas Department of Transportation that it will comply with the state agency’s new rules.
City Manager Kimberly Tolbert had been in a back-and-forth with TxDOT in a bid to secure an exemption from the policy banning decor on public roadways. Non-compliance would have resulted in federal and state funding being withheld from City Hall.
She said she submitted a formal plan to TxDOT on Friday outlining how the 30 impacted crosswalks identified by the city would be brought into compliance within 90 days.
“While the City maintains that existing crosswalk designs do not present measurable public safety issues, we appreciate TxDOT’s partnership in sustaining safe and efficient multimodal transportation within Dallas,” Tolbert said.
Gov. Greg Abbott directed TxDOT to implement the new rule, claiming non-standard markings have been used to advance political agendas with taxpayer money. Critics of the move have argued the rule is meant to suppress LGBTQ-inclusive civic expression.
“Additionally, staff is connecting with community leaders to explore creative approaches that reflect neighborhood identity and character through community art initiatives,” Tolbert said. “These efforts aim to preserve the unique sense of place in our communities while continuing to meet current state standards for pavement markings.”
First Phase of Halperin Park Plaza Nears Completion
Some $8 million in funding was authorized by the city council on Wednesday to finish the first phase of the plaza at Halperin Park.
Formerly known as Southern Gateway Park, this five-acre city park is being built over I-35 East and will connect both east and west sides of Oak Cliff.
“When completed, Halperin Park will be a landmark city park and a community asset for the southern sector of Dallas while catalyzing economic development in the area,” said City Manager Kimberly Tolbert.
Just under $7 million of the funding authorized this past week will come from the Oak Cliff Gateway TIF District, and around $1 million will come from discretionary bond funds, per Mayor Eric Johnson’s request.
“Halperin Park will bridge the gap between communities long divided by that interstate while providing southern Dallas with the beauty, utility, and economic opportunity afforded by a modern park,” Johnson previously said of the project.
The first phase of the plaza is almost 85% finished, with completion expected this spring. Halperin Park will be the city’s second deck park after Klyde Warren Park.
