$250M Fair Park renovation plan to go on November ballot for Dallas voters

DALLAS — Buildings at Honest Park symbolize a lot of Dallas’ historical past and custom, however they’ve been slowly crumbling away and are in want of restore. These buildings might probably get restored.

Dallas Metropolis Council accredited Wednesday a decision, 14-1, that can ask voters to approve a resort tax hike to pay for renovations to Honest Park and develop the Kay Bailey Hutchison Conference Heart. Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn was the only real “no” vote.

The amended decision, if accredited by voters on the November poll, would improve town’s resort occupancy tax by 2% and would distribute $250 million to renovate six venues in Honest Park. These venues embody: the Cotton Bowl, the Auto Constructing, the Centennial Constructing, the Band Shell, the Music Corridor and the Coliseum.

If the poll merchandise is accredited by Dallas voters in November, it might mark the most important capital enchancment challenge ever for Honest Park.

The measure would additionally give town $50 million to tear down and rebuild the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Conference Heart.

Officers say Honest Park’s renovations could be funded solely by this resort tax hike, because of the State’s newly amended “Brimer Invoice.” The regulation, which was handed in 1997, was used as a mechanism to fund the development of the American Airways Heart. On the time, the regulation solely utilized to stadiums, conference facilities and leisure districts, however excluded parks.

Dallas metropolis council votes to maneuver ahead with plans for brand spanking new downtown conference heart

Now, 80% of the rise in resort occupancy tax {dollars} would go to the conference heart redo – which is priced at $2 billion – and 20% would go to Honest Park.

Earlier this month, officers launched renderings for the “Group Park at Honest Park,” which has its personal price ticket of $85 million. It’s a part of the Honest Park Your Park Capital Marketing campaign, which launched in spring 2021. “Group Park at Honest Park” is scheduled to interrupt floor in early 2023 and open in fall 2024, in response to officers.

Supporters of Honest Park renovations mentioned this may assist each Honest Park and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Conference Heart host and appeal to occasions to town. It is very important observe that the 2026 World Cup Soccer websites can be introduced within the coming months. Metropolis officers hope these renovations to the Cotton Bowl and expedition websites might enhance Dallas’ probabilities in that bid.