STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Quality of Life, Arts & Culture
AGENDA DATE: February 28, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 11
DEPARTMENT: Park & Recreation Department
EXECUTIVE: John D. Jenkins
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize an application for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant program in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00 to establish a new central park in the City’s International District (formerly known as the Valley View-Galleria area) in north Dallas - Financing: The action has no cost consideration to the City (see Fiscal Information)
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BACKGROUND
Authorize an application for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00 to establish a new central park in the City’s International District (formerly known as the Valley View-Galleria area) in north Dallas.
The National Park Service administers the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnerships (ORLP) Grant Program in partnership with designated lead agencies in each of the 50 states. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is the partner agency for this grant program in the State of Texas, whose deadline is March 15, 2024. The ORLP Grant Program seeks projects that will provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public through the acquisition of lands and waters for parks and other outdoor recreation areas, as well as through the development of new (or the renovation of existing) outdoor recreation facilities.
The Dallas Park & Recreation Department is proposing to apply for grant funding through the ORLP Grant Program to acquire one parcel of land of approximately 4.13 acres in the City’s International District. The subject property is one of the four remaining parcels needed to be acquired by the City in order to fully assemble the approximately 20-acre central park (informally known as “Midtown Park” or “Midtown Commons”) as envisioned in the City’s Valley View-Galleria Area Plan. The required match is to be provided by the City’s 2017 General Obligation Bond Program (Proposition B) in which $6 million is authorized for the “Midtown Commons” park. In May 2021, the City purchased a 1.63-acre property at 5580 Peterson Lane which is also planned to be incorporated into the future central park.
There is no legacy land available for development of new parks for residents north of the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway with Dallas. The acquisition of this subject property, in combination with the 5580 Peterson Lane and future abutting acquisitions, is planned to create a 20-acre park with a walkable environment accessible to the more than 12,000 residents in the nearby community.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Acceptance of Round 1 application by TPWD March 2024
Acceptance of the Round 2 application by National Park Service April 2024
Contract signed with National Park Service March 2025
Begin property acquisition September 2025
Break Ground February 2026
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On February 8, 2024, the Park and Recreation Board authorized an application for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant program.
FISCAL INFORMATION
This action has no cost consideration to the City. Acquisition of this subject property located within the International District will utilize grant funds received as a result of the application to TPWD and the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant program and estimated future cost of $6,000,000.00 with funds from the 2017 Bond program.
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