City staff say Fair Park operations returning to Park and Recreation Department amid major repair needs

City of Dallas staff reported that operational control of Fair Park is returning to the Park and Recreation Department after a notice of termination to the prior operator and detailed immediate repair needs, staffing plans and budget shortfalls.

The presentation to the Park and Recreation Board said the city issued a notice of default and a later notice of termination to the park’s private operator; as a result, “all operations of Fair Park are returning to Park and Recreation Department,” staff reported during the meeting. The department said it has created a seven‑person transition team and has been on site since June 19 to inventory conditions and begin urgent repairs.

Board members and staff told the meeting the park shows widespread deferred maintenance — broken fountains, failing HVAC systems, damaged paving and drainage problems — and that short‑term funding and staffing will be required to stabilize facilities before the State Fair season and fall events. The presentation listed repairs already under way and identified failed fire panels that have required fire‑watch procedures for several buildings.

Staff said the city provided an initial transition allocation of $3.3 million to cover immediate needs through the start of the new fiscal year and that additional funds will be required for HVAC replacements, fountain repairs and other capital work. One staff briefing cited a deferred‑maintenance estimate in the millions; the presentation materials and board discussion also referenced larger, longer‑term capital needs that will outstrip the near‑term allotment.

The department proposed a three‑pronged operating model that keeps the city responsible for daily oversight, leverages private contractors for specialized services (for example, security or janitorial work), and retains nonprofit fundraising support for community projects. Staff emphasized that the model differs from full privatization and would keep the city as final decision‑maker for leases and major program changes.

Board members raised questions about contracts and tenant agreements across the Fair Park campus, and several urged staff to recover any damages from the former operator where contract language allows. A number of board members and staff also said they will take the budget questions to the city manager and council as the department finalizes its requests for the upcoming budget cycle.

The board asked staff to return with a timeline and proposed short‑list of immediate capital priorities and recommended contract adjustments. Staff said they would come back to the board in September with more specific procurement and staffing proposals and with recommendations for reworking leases to improve the park’s long‑term financial sustainability.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to stabilize campus operations and will pursue legal and procurement options as needed; the board signaled support for an urgent, phased approach but left specifics for follow‑up briefings later this summer.