Woodall Rodgers Park Construction: Updates and more: April 2010

Read Dallas Morning News Business writer Bob Miller's March 2010 article on fundraising and more here.

As you're driving south on 75 to get onto the Woodall Rogers Freeway heading west, you may experience some delays as the construction for the Woodall Rogers Park continues. Generally, just avoid that area as often as you can. But in the end, you'll be so proud.

This 5.2-acre park will connect downtown Dallas, the Arts District and Uptown-adding to the downtown renaissance that is taking place with the new office buildings, hotels, residences and Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. It is destined to become a destination park for everyone to enjoy.

Take some time to explore this fascinating concept - now turning into a reality.
Here are some renderings and links to more information.

http://www.theparkdallas.org/ParkFeatures.aspx for a listing of all of the features and descriptions.

http://www.theparkdallas.org/RecentNews.aspx for links to all of the news around town.

The design for the 5.2-acre park, which will be built on a deck over Woodall Rodgers Freeway between Pearl and St. Paul Streets, was based largely on feedback from public input sessions held at the Nasher Sculpture Center in February 2006. The park incorporates a number of the features the public requested, including:
" Children's garden with a playground and a discovery area
" Dog park
" Café and outdoor terrace
" Acoustical performance stage with lawn seating for up to 3,300 people
" Reading and games area
" Several plazas that include water features and moveable seating
" Interactive water features and a 25-foot high glass water sculpture
" Shady groves and lawn space
" Wireless Internet access

"Great cities have great parks, and this fascinating park will become the 'front lawn' for downtown Dallas," said Jim Burnett of the Office of James Burnett and landscape architect for Woodall Rodgers Park. "There's something for everyone to enjoy, whether it's strolling through the gardens, having a picnic on the lawn, eating at the café, taking the dog to the dog park, listening to a concert, or having children play in the discovery area. The park will be a vibrant and attractive addition to downtown."

According to an economic impact report prepared by Insight Research Corporation, development and operation of Woodall Rodgers Park itself will create $312.7 million in economic benefit including 182 new jobs and $12.7 million in tax revenue benefits. Another $91.1 million in increased tax revenues for the city, county, school and hospital districts will be generated by increases in land values and two real estate projects expected to be built solely as a result of the park's creation. The report also projects an increase in new office space construction and absorption within one half mile of the park, further enhancing Dallas' tax base.