Council approves first‑year appropriation and 5‑year CIP for Southwest University Park

The Downtown Development Corporation voted to adopt a five‑year capital improvement plan for Southwest University Park and approved a $1 million FY‑26 appropriation to fund initial repairs and equipment upgrades.

City capital staff presented a program of work covering the next five years with a total estimated need of $7.5 million, focusing on infrastructure and equipment replacement for the 12‑year‑old stadium. Projects include field‑maintenance equipment, video and audio upgrades, HVAC and elevator work, irrigation and water treatment system upgrades, door access control and other items staff said have reached the end of their useful life.

The board and council were clear that the requested FY‑26 appropriation will come from ballpark‑restricted surplus revenues (hotel occupancy taxes, lease income and related ballpark receipts), not from the city general fund. Staff said recent years of ballpark revenue have covered most debt and operating needs, but accumulated capital needs now require targeted investments to preserve the city asset.

The Downtown Development Corporation initially approved the plan, then voted to reconsider and ultimately passed the item 8‑1 (with Board Director Lily Limon casting the lone dissent). Council members who spoke during the regular session said the appropriation preserves downtown assets and implements a clearer, year‑by‑year funding approach for stadium capital needs.

Board and staff emphasized that council will see only the first‑year allocation in the CIP approval going forward; later years will be reevaluated as revenues and priorities are confirmed. The DDC specifically recommended limiting council approval to a single fiscal year to avoid over‑committing future restricted revenues.

The vote authorizes the capital plan and the FY‑26 $1.0 million appropriation to the ballpark capital repairs fund.