STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Quality of Life
AGENDA DATE: December 9, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):|910|DEPARTMENT: Park & Recreation Department
EXECUTIVE: John D. Jenkins
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SUBJECT
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Authorize the Park & Recreation Department to provide interim funding to compensate Dallas Zoo Management to continue operations at the Children's Aquarium located at 1462 First Avenue in Fair Park for a period of six months - Not to exceed $300,000.00 - Financing: Equity Revitalization Capital Fund
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BACKGROUND
The Children's Aquarium in Fair Park, managed by Dallas Zoo Management through a contract with the Park & Recreation Department, opened in 2010 and has hosted an average of 114,000 visitors annually in recent years. The Children's Aquarium was partially funded by the Park & Recreation Department through the Dallas Zoo contract. Due to ongoing losses in operations, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Children's Aquarium was to cease operations in FY 2020-21.
Staff is currently working with Fair Park First and the Dallas Zoo on a plan to allow the Children's Aquarium to continue operations for an interim period of up to six months in order to facilitate the transition of the facility to a new operator. The interim funding will be used to maintain the facility and aquatic life currently housed in the aquarium. As a next step, staff will work with Fair Park First to structure an amendment to their contract to add the Children's Aquarium Building, which will allow Fair Park First to negotiate a proposal and agreement with a new potential operator.
The Park and Recreation Board meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2020, so the timing of the item does not allow for Park Board consideration.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On August 12, 2009, City Council authorized a twenty-five-year management agreement with Dallas Zoological Society and Dallas Zoo Management, Inc. for t...
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