Fair Park First announced Tuesday that AECOM, the world’s largest infrastructure consulting firm, will provide project management services for the major capital improvements at Fair Park.
Voters approved in November a 2 percent increase in hotel occupancy taxes that will fund upgrades to the 277-acre cultural and entertainment complex at Fair Park, as well as renovations and new construction at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas.
“AECOM will support Fair Park First’s capital projects to deliver outcome-driven solutions and a lasting legacy through enhancements that create and integrate park facilities, preserve historically significant venues, and revitalize the park as a destination within the region and beyond,” officials said in a press release.
Bold, Inclusive Vision
AECOM president Lara Poloni said the consultants will oversee the development of the Community Park Complex, an expansive 18-acre greenspace that also includes a 1650-space parking structure.
The program managers also will partner on future projects by managing design, construction, permitting, and closeout, among other services.
“Fair Park First brings a bold, inclusive vision to revitalizing this storied urban asset at a time when investment in equitable spaces has never been more important,” Poloni said. “In line with our Sustainable Legacies strategy of partnering with clients to make a lasting, positive impact, we’re committed to improving social outcomes at each step of the program by working with minority- and women-owned enterprises and surrounding businesses to create real, measurable value and help make Fair Park a reflection of Dallas’s diversity and dynamism.”
Fair Park Master Plan
Planned upgrades to the park are outlined in the Fair Park Master Plan Update.
The improvements will support the construction and modernization of multiple facilities and an overhaul of general infrastructure with an emphasis on resilience and sustainability, according to the press release issued Tuesday.
As the program’s signature addition, the Community Park will embody a climate-conscious approach, introducing a vital new recreational space to Fair Park while expanding blue-green infrastructure to mitigate flooding and other environmental risks, said Drew Jeter, chief executive of AECOM’s Program Management global business line.
“We’re proud to partner with Fair Park First to modernize this National Historic Landmark and help deliver a world-class space that deepens community connections and contributes to the ongoing transformation and rich cultural heritage of the city of Dallas,” Jeter said. “Leveraging our decades of experience managing complex urban developments and industry-leading global expertise, our teams are poised to help Fair Park First realize this community-centric project and extend Fair Park’s legacy as a vibrant gathering space.”
Putting the ‘Park’ Back in Fair Park
Established in 1886, Fair Park has become a major destination for Dallas, drawing more than 6 million visitors a year.
It is home to several prominent attractions, including the State Fair of Texas, the African American Museum of Dallas, Cotton Bowl Stadium, and the Hall of State — as well as containing one of the largest collections of exhibition-style Art Deco structures in the United States.
The capital improvements for Fair Park are part of Fair Park First’s revitalization campaign to put the “Park” back in Fair Park, said board president Darren James.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of another world-class firm to our capital projects team,” James said. “With this new partnership, we can continue the work of putting the park back in Fair Park and restoring it to its rightful place as an international attraction.”
