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Council directs staff to pursue modified parking expansion for Venue 1842, views facility as city amenity
Summary
Council reviewed operations and parking for Venue 1842 at Historical Park, directed staff to develop a modified version of Option 3 (limited pavement expansion) with 35–50 additional spaces, and discussed treating the venue primarily as a city amenity rather than a revenue generator.
City of Farmers Branch council members debated the operating costs and parking constraints for Venue 1842 at Historical Park on Tuesday and directed staff to return with a modified Option 3 for additional parking and related venue improvements.
Perla Tavera, director of economic development, tourism and planning, told the council the venue opened in May and received its final certificate of occupancy in November 2024. She provided a breakeven comparison to the 2022 business plan and said actual budgeted costs to date were $381,001 versus a 2022 projected annual cost of $267,370; the current figures include an annual $90,000 loan payment to the general fund.
The nut graf: Council members broadly agreed the venue is best positioned as a city amenity rather than a profit center, and asked staff to study marketing, acoustics, a full kitchen and limited parking expansion that minimizes tree loss.
Discussion covered both programming and four parking options presented by staff: Option 1 would add about 55 spaces off Ford Road at an estimated $207,755; Option 2 would add about 109 spaces in a FEMA flood zone and cost about $600,000 plus environmental and liability work; Option 3 would increase existing parking with on-street/lot adjustments to add about 70 spaces at an estimated $142,000; Option 4 would keep existing 60 spaces as-is. Tavera said the venue’s seated capacity is 200 but larger historical-park events have drawn several thousand attendees spread across the park.
Council members including Marilyn Bowman and Councilman Jackson said the council should treat the facility primarily as an amenity. Jackson said the earlier 2022 business plan over-estimated achievable event volumes and recommended treating the venue as an amenity while pursuing limited marketing and cost-reduction measures. Several council members also recommended outside marketing help to increase bookings.
On parking, council members repeatedly said they did not want large trees and park grass removed for pavement. Councilmember Jackson urged continued reliance on shuttle arrangements and agreements with nearby commercial parking rather than cutting trees. Several members favored a modified Option 3 as the least intrusive, cost-effective alternative.
Council requested staff return with a modified Option 3 (staff said they will present variations with 35, 40 and 50 additional spaces), an analysis of site alternatives including the veterans-area parcel and nearby parking garages, and potential venue improvements such as acoustics and a full kitchen. The council briefly recessed for an executive session to consult with legal counsel about the item; staff reported no reportable action from executive session when they reconvened.
Ending: Staff committed to return with a refined parking plan and venue options for further council consideration.
