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Consultants recommend nonprofit reserve and RFI for Riverside Crossing Park; council gives feedback
Summary
Consultants recommended a nonprofit reserve fund for the Dublin Irish Festival, an RFI to test potential Riverside Crossing Park operators, and new sponsorship and permitting work to expand neighborhood events, Yard & Company told council May 19.
Consultants Yard & Company presented a community events roadmap to Dublin City Council on May 19 that recommends a mix of actions to strengthen signature festivals, broaden neighborhood events, and explore new operating partnerships for key public spaces.
The report’s high-level proposals include keeping the city’s Events Division as the core producer of signature events; establishing a nonprofit vehicle to build a revenue reserve for the Dublin Irish Festival and to attract grants and donations; pursuing an RFI (request for information) for operation and activation of Riverside Crossing Park rather than an immediate RFP; expanding the neighborhood block-party package and summer programming; developing a citywide sponsorship strategy with consultant assistance; and drafting food-truck and art-vending permitting guidance.
Yard & Company told council the nonprofit would create a $400,000 reserve by the festival’s 40th anniversary as a backstop and could grow to $1 million in 7–10 years to stabilize festival financing. For Riverside Crossing Park the consultants recommended an RFI to assess market readiness and gather partner feedback as a lower-risk first step before issuing a formal RFP.
Councilmembers generally welcomed many recommendations but emphasized questions and priorities. Some members supported forming a nonprofit “shell” now (noting low upfront cost) while expressing limited optimism for immediate private fundraising. Several councilmembers supported an RFI for Riverside Crossing Park to gather market information before any procurement. Multiple speakers and council members urged staff to prioritize development of food-truck regulations and to test rules via existing midweek music and summer programming. Members also suggested better aligning sponsorship sales and packaging to defray event costs and exploring developer-led activation in future districts such as Metro Center and the West Innovation District.
No formal vote was taken; staff said the recommendations will inform a final roadmap expected for adoption on June 2, with implementation of some items targeted for 2026 where appropriate.
