Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson’s statement on funding for Halperin Park
DALLAS—The Dallas City Council on Wednesday voted to allocate $8 million toward completing the first phase of the Plaza at Halperin Park. Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson voted in favor and released the following statement:
“Building a greener and greater Dallas has always been one of my top priorities. Today, Dallas took a major step toward completing one of the most exciting park projects in our city’s history. Soon, Halperin Park will bridge the gap between communities that have been divided for far too long by Interstate 35.
“As Mayor, I am proud to have directed more than $1 million in discretionary bond funds toward this transformative park, and I am grateful to the City Council for approving additional funds. When completed, Halperin Park will serve southern Dallas residents, bring communities together, and spur economic development in the surrounding area.
“More than 80% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, and that number will continue to increase until we reach 100%. Halperin Park will be an enduring emblem of this golden age of Dallas park development.”
The funding authorized by the city council will come from two sources: $6.96 million from the Oak Cliff Gateway TIF District and $1.04 million from the 2012 Bond Program (Proposition 3). The bond funds are considered “discretionary” and Mayor Johnson requested they be used for the Plaza project.
The Plaza at Halperin Hark will cover approximately five acres of the deck superstructure over Interstate 35E from Marsalis Avenue to Ewing Avenue near the Dallas Zoo. The Plaza is being designed and built in two phases. Phase I includes the area from Ewing Avenue to Lancaster Avenue. Phase II will include the area from Lancaster Avenue to Marsalis Avenue. Phase 1 of the Plaza is almost 85% completed.
The deck structure was built by the Texas Department of Transportation and primarily funded through the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation is the developer of the Plaza and has led private fundraising efforts. The Halperin Foundation has committed $23 million to the park.
The first phase of the Halperin Park Plaza is scheduled to be completed in the spring. This will be the second deck park in the city after Klyde Warren Park in Downtown Dallas.
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