Dallas (WBAP/KLIF News) – The Dallas Park and Recreation Board gives its stamp of approval for a private foundation to step in and take over management of Fair Park. Walt Humann, who Mayor Mike Rawlings hand-picked to lead the Fair Park Texas Foundation, says it’s been underfunded for decades.
“In 2001, when I was chairing the Science Place, I made the presentation to the Council, and to the Park officials, that our management was screwed up in Fair Park, we were woefully underfunded, and there was no marketing and communication.”
He said the Park has been underfunded not just for years, but for decades.
“If you are under-capitalized, you will not make it,” said Humann. “So I guess I’m in the role of a messenger, bringing you news that maybe you don’t like to hear. I wish somebody had spoken 40 years ago.”
The Board spent the morning going over the 50 page proposal page by page, and asking questions of the City Attorney’s Office staff about the legalities. In the afternoon, they went through a lengthy process of offering and voting on amendments.
Humann says the 20 year plan would cost $280 million in public and private dollars. The contract also calls for two optional five year extensions for a total of 30 years, and a total potential price tag of about $600 million.
The vote was 9-5 to send the contract to the City Council.
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