The CEO of Fair Park First, which oversees management of Fair Park in Dallas, is no longer affiliated with the organization, two people with ties to the park said. . dallas morning news.
It's unclear whether Brian Luallen resigned from his role as CEO himself or whether he was fired. He had recently launched an investigation into possible mismanagement of public funds by park operator Oakview Group.
One official said: news They received notice that Luallen's resignation was effective Wednesday. Alyssa Arnold, Fair Park First Chief Impact Officer, will assume Luallen's duties in the interim, according to the notice.
Another official said: news They received a message at 4:57 p.m. Wednesday that Luallen was no longer at Fair Park First. The official said he was not aware of any vote to sever ties and did not know why Luallen left his position.
Luallen did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The board has scheduled a special meeting for May 5 for “discussion and possible action regarding Fair Park First's chief executive officer.”
Last month, Luallen released a statement alleging that Oakview Group may have used capital improvement philanthropy funds for day-to-day operating expenses.
“Inaccurate and fraudulent reallocation of funds is a serious matter and challenges our confidence and trust,” it said in a statement. “If we discover that restricted funds donated to Fair Park First were misused, we will work with the City of Dallas to ensure that these funds are returned and redirected as the donor intended. I will do my best.”
Brian Rosenberg, an attorney for OVG360, the hospitality arm of Oak View Group that oversees Fair Park operations, denied wrongdoing. “We are confident that all uses of the donations were made with the full knowledge and approval of Mr. Luallen, who represents Fair Park First, and we have supporting documentation. ,” Rothenberg wrote in an April 4 letter to city officials.
Authorities remain tight-lipped about the nature of the allegations and the amount involved. news We requested records and communications from the city related to the ongoing audit.
Fair Park, a 277-acre civic monument, has long been the centerpiece of the city's efforts to revitalize South Dallas and restore its history with local residents.
In 2019, the City Council privatized the park and transferred management to the nonprofit organization Fair Park First.
At the time, Fair Park First entered into an agreement with Spectra, a venue management and hospitality group, to manage the day-to-day operations of the park. Two years later, Spectra was acquired by his OVG360, the hospitality division of Oak View Group. Even if management changed, the contract continued.
In February 2019, the city transferred management of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas to Spectra.
