Dallas is now set to transform one of its ubiquitous downtown surface parking lots into a public green space.
The City Council approved on Wednesday a development agreement with Parks for Downtown Dallas to build what will be called, for now, Pacific Plaza Park. The nonprofit organization, which fought back an adversarial group that wanted to build an underground parking garage on the site, will donate $15 million to pay for the construction of the park and another $1 million for an operating endowment.
The nonprofit is chaired by Robert Decherd, the former chief executive of The Dallas Morning News' parent company, A. H. Belo Corporation.
Robert Kent of the Trust for Public Land lauded Decherd and Parks for Downtown Dallas. He said the park is vital to attract families to an increasingly residential downtown. The Trust for Public Land had advocated for the park and helped the city acquire the 3.2 acres of land, near St. Paul and Harwood Streets and Pacific Avenue, about 10 years ago.
"We couldn't be more thrilled that the city is moving forward with Parks for Downtown Dallas," Kent said. "We can't wait to have this beautiful park in the middle of downtown to bring our city together in the near future."
More:
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/downtown-dallas/2017/03/22/dallas-set-un-pave-parking-lot-put-park-downtown-15m-gift
