Dallas committee reviews expanded McKissick scope and advanced schematics for Wings practice facility at Joey G Park

The Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention on Sept. 23 heard briefings on a proposed expansion of the city’s project-management contract for the downtown arena and advanced schematic designs, budget and funding sources for a Dallas Wings practice facility at Joey G Park.

The briefing, led by Rosa Fleming, Director of Convention and Event Services, said the council will consider an item the next day to add scope for the secondary (practice) facility to the McKissick and McKissick contract and to add cost for an extension of the arena delivery timeline. "Part of the item tomorrow is to add the scope for the secondary facility to the McKissick and McKissick contract," Fleming said.

Why it matters: the committee reviewed both programmatic and budget details that will affect the city’s capital plan and project schedule. Committee members pressed staff on scope changes and cost increases, long‑lead procurement risks and site remediation questions for Joey G Park, underscoring that timing and funding will determine whether the practice facility and arena meet contractual dates.

Key decisions and near-term steps - The committee received the briefing; the related ordinance/contract amendment was scheduled for the city council voting agenda the following day. Fleming said staff’s goal was "to bring it forward for approval recommendation for approval by city council tomorrow." - The committee approved routine minutes at the start of the meeting by voice vote (motion carried). - Staff announced a groundbreaking for the Joey G Park site scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m.

Contract scope, timeline and cost City staff told the committee McKissick and McKissick (the city’s owner’s representative/project manager) was selected in February 2024 and initially contracted for $7.9 million to manage design and integration for the arena (owner’s rep services, CMAR coordination and project integration).…