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Privately funded Downtown Civic Park team says construction-ready after fundraising milestone; council approves related actions
Summary
Fundraising team for Lubbock’s Downtown Civic Park reported reaching $9 million raised and presented revised designs and timelines; council approved related agenda items and left park construction financing with the private nonprofit, while staff and council discussed coordinating timing with Broadway reconstruction.
Brad Moran, the fundraising lead for the Downtown Civic Park, told the Lubbock City Council on Aug. 26 that the project has reached a major milestone and is prepared to move toward construction.
Moran said the project team, working with TBG Group of San Antonio, removed splash pads from the latest design—citing maintenance and cost concerns—and replaced that area with additional grass in the family zone. He outlined next steps: select a general contractor, secure permits, finalize value engineering, set a bid package and mobilize construction, which the team estimates will take about nine to ten months.
Moran gave the council a financial update, saying preconstruction expenditures are “a little under $1,900,000,” with a remaining balance due of about $235,000, a construction budget of roughly $6.7 million, and a total projected budget “right at $12,000,000.” He said the fundraising effort has achieved $9,000,000 “to start construction” and identified pledges receivable of about $2,700,000 and donations already received. Moran added the group still aims to raise nearly $3,000,000 for an endowment and start‑up operating funds to staff and maintain the park.
Dr. Wilson asked what the endowment/start‑up money would cover. Moran said it is intended to fund staff, security and maintenance during the park’s early operations, and that those operational funds were not yet in hand. When asked whether construction would start without the $3 million, Moran said they did not intend to begin construction without committed funding for the overall project.
Council members and staff repeatedly emphasized that the park is privately funded. The mayor’s office and the meeting record noted several related agenda items (7.16 and 7.17) tied to the Civic Park that the council approved later in the meeting without additional briefing.
Moran said the team will transition fundraising duties to Drew Anderson as operations ramp up and plans a public fundraising campaign aimed at raising $250,000 and creating community ambassadors. He also asked the council to coordinate park planting and construction timing with the city’s planned Broadway reconstruction.
The meeting record shows the council approved the Civic Park‑related items later in the agenda; staff and council discussion focused on scheduling and confirming that construction and operations plans meet permitting requirements. The council did not commit city construction funds and left longer‑term operations funding to the private nonprofit leading the project.
The council approved related agenda items unanimously. The next public milestones the team signaled were a public fundraising campaign in the coming weeks and a likely October–November groundbreaking, contingent on finalizing bids and permits.
