Dallas' oldest park is not officially a city historic landmark, and the Landmarks Commission wants to change it, but the city is holding back on that change.
Evelyn Montgomery, chair of the City of Dallas Landmarks Commission and representative of the community where the more than 150-year-old park is located, recently began the process to obtain the Old City Park designation. did. The measure would prohibit development on the 20-acre site for up to two years, a requirement she said is necessary to ensure the preservation of the Cedars' historic park.
“It's in an area that has seen a lot of change and will continue to change,” said Montgomery, who also serves on the board of the Dallas County Cultural Heritage Association, a nonprofit that manages the city's parks. “It makes sense to begin the process of making this historically significant site a landmark for the protected city of Dallas.”
The Landmarks Commission unanimously approved Oct. 2 to begin the designation process for Old Town Park, a decision that now leaves the Citizens Commission and the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department to take over management of the park in spring 2024. A conflict has arisen. Parks Department officials are concerned that the historic designation could affect potential improvements the city is trying to make at the site, which is located just south of downtown.
Arun Agarwal, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said the designation process could delay everything from demolishing buildings beyond repair to bringing structures into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Stated.
“We feel it is an asset that has been neglected by us and it deserves the attention it deserves,” Agarwal said. “While we are not opposed to historicizing portions of the site, doing so for the entire park could have a negative impact on the property.”
He also said the park's proximity to the downtown convention center and its historic Old Town Park designation could impede redevelopment plans for the area that the park could be a part of. He pointed out that there is.
Agarwal said he doesn't know exactly how a historic designation could be delayed, but said the Park Service would likely object to the process. Parks and Recreation Director John Jenkins said. dallas morning news On Tuesday, the ministry said it was still considering how to do so.
“We are considering all options,” Jenkins said.
Montgomery said building repairs and other improvements may still be made at Old Town Park, but they now require prior approval from the Landmarks Commission. “With the change in management, we want to ensure that the park continues to be protected,” the committee said.
She said Tuesday there is no timetable for how long it will take for Old Town Park to receive official city landmark designation. The upcoming process will include drafting a document that will set out requirements for how the park will be properly maintained. The designation ultimately requires approval by the Landmarks Commission, the City Planning Commission, and the Dallas City Council.
“I hope the Parks Department fully understands the greatness of Old Town Park and is willing to work with the Landmarks Commission to properly manage it in the future,” Montgomery said.
The Old City Park was acquired by the city in 1876 and became the site of the city's first zoo. Today, the park consists of a collection of approximately 25,000 artifacts and dozens of historic buildings, essentially operating as an open-air museum.
On May 24, the City Council voted to extend the Dallas County Heritage Society's management contract for the site for an additional 12 months to transfer ownership of the site. The expiring contract was scheduled to end in two days. The Cultural Heritage Association has managed the city-owned park since 1993.
Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Turner Noteware told the Landmarks Commission before the unanimous vote that the Park Service wanted to delay the process. She said the department is working on a master plan for Old Town Park, which includes an assessment of the condition of the land and buildings. She said some structures had been damaged by flooding, but needed to be reconsidered to understand the extent of the damage and future building options.
Turner-Noteware said the evaluation could take eight to nine months.
“We would like to have the opportunity to do a condition assessment of these buildings before they are designated as historically significant,” Turner-Noteware said during the meeting. “All we are asking for is the opportunity to review master planning efforts and condition assessments before anything is declared historic.”
Montgomery said during the meeting that the commission has no problems with the improvements being made to the site and the structures there, and that any needed work can be discussed before the commission.
“Preservation and designation does not stop important work from proceeding, but only guides the preservation of historic materials and historic atmosphere,” Montgomery said at the Oct. 2 meeting. “So we are not opposed to your efforts in the master plan, we are not opposed to your efforts to wisely manage the historic structures there. It is most effective if the designation process works well.”
The City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to approve a nearly $263,000 contract with design firm SWA Group to analyze conditions at Old Town Park. If approved, the company's evaluation is expected to occur in August 2024.
