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Duncanville staff pitch LED ‘energy as a service’ lighting and private lease option for sports complex
Summary
Parks staff presented two strategic projects: an energy‑as‑a‑service LED conversion to avoid upfront capital and a land‑lease model for a privately developed sports complex (staff cited a potential $3 million private investment). Council asked about community access, contract protections and maintenance implications.
Parks and Recreation staff presented two strategic projects to the city council on June 2 aimed at modernizing facilities without large up‑front public capital.
First, staff described an energy‑as‑a‑service model for converting aging high‑pressure sodium and metal‑halide sport and field lighting to LEDs. Under the model a private provider would design, finance, install and maintain LED equipment and the city would pay a service fee tied to verified energy savings. "The equipment is installed at no cost to the city," the presenter said, describing a provider‑guaranteed savings approach where payments are tied to verified performance.
Staff cited longevity and first‑year savings examples and told council the arrangement keeps the equipment off the city’s capital budget while providing predictable monthly costs. Councilors and staff discussed contract length (typical 10–15 years), exit clauses and the need for careful legal and procurement review to preserve flexibility.
Second, staff outlined a possible land‑lease model in which the city leases underused park land to a private partner that would build, operate and maintain a sports facility in exchange for lease revenue and a revenue share. "The partner invests capital funds into the project to build their facility and maintain it," staff said, noting the concept can bring a year‑round modern facility to the city with no city capital required. Staff referenced an illustrative private investment figure of about $3 million for such a project.
Council and staff focused on community access and contract protections. Councilmember Jared Davis asked how the city would guarantee community time and price‑protected access if a private operator controls scheduling. Staff said those terms would be explicit in any contract and that negotiations would need to reserve community hours and affordability provisions.
Public comment from the Duncanville Soccer Association requested to be included in stakeholder conversations should the city pursue Harrington Park or other parcels. Parks staff noted Lakeside Park as a candidate site that had been suggested in preliminary discussions.
Ending: staff asked for initial council feedback and said they would return with more detailed cost and contract analyses and, if council directed, a procurement path. No contract or budget action was taken at the meeting.
