Community groups are pushing back on a plan that could decide the future of Fair Park.
Nearly 300 people concerned about the future of the 277-acre Fair Park, which celebrated its 80th anniversary earlier this summer, attended a panel discussion there Monday night, and organizers called on the Dallas Park and Recreation Board to postpone Thursday's vote.
"There isn't enough dialogue happening," said Matt Tranchin, with the Coalition For a New Dallas, one of the many community groups involved in organizing the discussion.
"I can see a lot of people who are involved with this getting behind a Fair Park Foundation," Tranchin said. "Really at this point, we just want to have a better understanding of what's being proposed, and until we do, we don't feel like it's the right time to push forward with a vote."
Only hours before, Mayor Mike Rawlings held a news conference at City Hall to make the case for the proposed public-private partnership.
"It is wrong to call this a takeover. This is not a takeover," Rawlings said. "This is a public-private partnership."
"The city of Dallas retains a huge amount of control," Rawlings added.
Fair Park is badly in need of repairs, with an estimated price tag of nearly $500 million. In addition, there is a renewed interest in making the historic site a true, year-round attraction.
The head of the Fair Park Texas Foundation promised the partnership would bring new attractions to the park and help surrounding neighborhoods.
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"It has always been a part of the plan to embark in new projects, including a premier signature park for the entire area," said Walt Humann.
The Park Board is scheduled to vote Thursday after five frustrated board members got up and walked out of the last meeting, according to The Dallas Morning News.
The Dallas City Council will have the final say, but Mayor Rawlings wants to deal done by October.
