Dallas park officials say they are ready to look for someone to build on roughly 40 acres of Fair Park, according to a briefing prepared for the City Council's Parks, Trails, and the Environment Committee on Monday, Oct. 5.
The presentation, from Fair Park General Manager Brett Wulke of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department, says staff will seek concepts for the land and are exploring a multipurpose entertainment venue, restaurants, retail, a hotel or other lodging, and structured parking.
It does not say which part of the park the land is in or give a timeline, and says staff will keep the council, the Park Board and the community informed as the process moves along.
A year of city management
The city has run Fair Park's daily operations since Sept. 16, 2025, after ending its contract with private operator Oak View Group that June. The briefing frames the first year as stabilization and the second as a push for long-term contracts and new revenue.
The deferred maintenance list remains large. Staff reported it at $44,301,210, down from $48,001,210 when the city took over. Recent repairs listed in the briefing include new boilers and air-handler coils in the Centennial Building, a fire alarm panel serving the PanAm Arena, LED lighting in the African American Museum, and 13,000 square feet of new concrete outside the Music Hall to remove trip hazards.
Fire panels at the Children's Aquarium, Music Hall, Automobile Building and Livestock Pavilion are next.
Staff said the park is on track to stay within its $18.7 million budget, helped this year by 2017 and 2024 bond money, ADA funds and the transfer of three multiyear Fair Park funds that paid for heating and cooling work.
