Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation/Mayor Leppert announce Deck Park Timeline

by Shawn Williams · Published May 1, 2009 · Updated May 1, 2009

Mayor Tom Leppert

On Thursday, Mayor Tom Leppert and Councilwoman Angela Hunt participated in a press conference with the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation. They released the timeline for construction of a deck park that will cover a portion of Woodall Rodgers Freeway and connect Downtown Dallas and the Arts District with Uptown.

The timeline released is as follows:

June 15 TXDOT will advertise project bid

July 9 Woodall Rodgers Park construction contract awarded

mid Aug. Groundbreaking by contractor

early Sept. Ceremonial groundbreaking

Fall 2011 Park Completion

2012 Completion of Amenities

Mayor Leppert made sure he acknowledged Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for her support of the project. “She has worked quietly,” the mayor said, “but I can tell you (she) was very determined to make this happen.”

Larry Taylor – Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson’s Office

Congresswoman Johnson helped secure $16.7 million in federal transportation enhancement funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Congresswoman Johnson was the only member of Congress from North Texas to vote for the stimulus package.

The 5.2 acre park will create an urban green space in downtown Dallas and include jogging trails, a dog park, playground, restaurant, performance pavillion, water sculpture and game area. The mayor and others hope the deck park will rival New York’s Bryant Park and Chicago’s Millennium Park.