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Committee recommends $8M package to finish Southern Gateway deck park; foundation reports $63M raised
Summary
The Economic Development Committee recommended the city council approve up to $8 million in combined TIF and bond funding to complete Phase 1 plaza work at Halpern Park; the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation said it has raised about $63 million toward a $75 million budget. Committee vote: motion to recommend approval carried.
The committee considered a proposed agreement combining a Chapter 380 grant and a TIF development agreement to support Phase 1 (the plaza area) of the Southern Gateway deck park (Halpern Park). Staff said the total recommended commitment would not exceed $8,000,000, including roughly $6,900,000 from the Oak Cliff Gateway TIF District and $1,035,000 from the 2012 bond program (Proposition 3) as directed by the mayor.
April Allen, representing the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, told the committee the foundation has raised approximately $63,000,000 toward a $75,000,000 Phase 1 budget. "We for the Phase 1 park, the plaza area... we've raised 63,000,000 of a $75,000,000 budget," she said.
Committee members praised the private fundraising and fundraising leads; one council member noted additional philanthropic and naming‑rights support. Staff explained the TIF participation aligns with the district’s project plan and said payments would be made upon the foundation’s completion of required project components.
A motion to recommend city council approval of the proposed agreement was made and seconded; the committee voted in favor and the motion carried.
Next steps: the item will be presented to the full city council for final consideration; staff noted operations and the O&M agreement between the foundation and the parks department will come before council in the near term.
