Lubbock fundraising group outlines revised Downtown Civic Park plan, says construction funds pledged but operations endowment still short

Lubbock Experience Inc. fundraiser Brad Moran told the City Council during a work session Aug. 26 that the group has revised designs for the Downtown Civic Park at the former LP&L building and adjacent parking garage on Broadway and has pledges sufficient to begin construction, but still needs nearly $3 million in endowment and startup funds for operations.

Moran said the design team from the TBG Group of San Antonio removed a splash pad from the plan after maintenance-cost concerns and replaced that area with additional lawn near the "Family Zone." He said the group expects to select a general contractor, secure permits and begin mobilization so construction could start near the beginning of 2026, with a nine- to 10-month construction schedule. The team plans to coordinate plantings with appropriate seasons and to try to align park construction with planned work on Broadway.

Moran described the project budget as roughly $12,000,000 total: about $1.9 million in preconstruction expenditures, roughly $235,000 in remaining preconstruction balance, a construction budget he described as $6.7 million, and additional fundraising goals for an operations endowment and startup funds. He said the group has raised $9,000,000 toward construction (including $2,006,000 in preconstruction funds received, $3,900,000 in donations and $2.7 million in pledges receivable) and that some pledges are staged to construction benchmarks. He said the group still expects to raise an additional nearly $3,000,000 to fund the endowment and initial operating expenses.

Council members asked for clarifications during the presentation. Dr. Wilson asked what the $3 million shortfall covers; Moran said the estimate covers staffing, security, and maintenance and that the operations committee plans to scale initial staffing and services until more funds are raised. Councilman Collins pressed on timing of pledged funds and Moran said most pledges are staged to construction milestones (e.g., signing construction documents, 50% completion, final completion) and that the group does not expect to need interim financing. Council members and the mayor lauded the fundraising progress and emphasized the need to align park construction with the city's Broadway work.

Moran said the fundraising phase will transition to an operations lead, Drew Anderson, and that the group plans a public fundraising campaign that will seek about $250,000 in smaller donations, plus continued pursuit of naming-rights agreements and endowment gifts. He estimated a public groundbreaking in October or November if campaign steps proceed as planned.

A member of the public, Michael Ward, spoke during citizen comments and urged the council to consider the project's history and consultant costs, saying he worried large consultant-driven designs had previously led to unrealistic plans. Ward's remarks were recorded as public comment and not a formal city action.

Council actions related to the civic park (items 7.16 and 7.17 on the agenda) were approved unanimously later in the meeting. Those motions put the council's previously requested four-month extension results from April 22 into motion for next steps and authorized staff to proceed with the related items presented by Moran and Lubbock Experience Inc.

Speakers identified in the meeting described the construction funds as a mix of cash, donations and pledges; Moran emphasized that while construction funding is committed in pledge and cash form, the group did not claim to have all cash-on-hand for operating startup. The council did not appropriate city construction funds for the park and staff reiterated the presentation that the park is privately funded for construction.

The council discussion closed with encouragement for the fundraising team and an expectation staff and council will revisit any required council approvals as the group moves toward contractor selection and permitting.