Second phase of Dallas’ Southern Gateway Park funded

DALLAS — The impending passing of Congress’ omnibus spending invoice will embody $7.75 million in funding for the second phase of Southern Gateway Park, officers introduced Friday.

The funding was included within the invoice on the request of Dallas’ Congressional delegation of Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Colin Allred and Marc Veasey.

“This is the first funding we have received for phase two of the park, and it represents a watershed moment for our project,” Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation President and Chief Operating Officer April Allen said in a statement. “As we draw nearer the finish line for funding phase one and look forward to funding and building phase two, we are incredibly grateful for the support of Congresswoman Johnson, Congressman Veasey and Congressman Allred, as well as Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and the many local partners who have supported us from the beginning.”

The five-acre bridge park, spanning I-35 between Ewing and Marsalis Avenues subsequent to the Dallas Zoo, is at present beneath building and is scheduled to open in 2024.

“I was pleased to support this additional $7.75 million in funding for the Southern Gateway Project,” Rep. Johnson mentioned in a press release. “This innovative infrastructure project is important for so many reasons. It reconnects a community long separated by the National Highway System to public transportation and other new amenities, while creating five acres of green space and new economic development opportunities for local residents.”

Phase one infrastructure of the venture has been absolutely funded and is close to completion, with the muse scheduled to interrupt floor on the facilities subsequent yr. 

“The Southern Gateway Park is more than just a park, it is about connecting communities back together, and I am so proud we were able to secure this funding to help move this project forward,” Rep. Allred mentioned in a press release. “Not only will this innovative new park be a great place for folks in Oak Cliff and across Dallas to gather, but it will spur economic growth and development in the region. I thank everyone involved for working together to secure this funding, and I look forward to seeing the project progress.”

The park is meant to remodel southern Dallas and function a key catalyst in closing the chance hole created when the freeway was constructed within the ’50s by Oak Cliff. It is anticipated to deliver greater than two million guests yearly, and generate greater than $1 billion within the first 5 years after it opens. It can even present group facilities like a stage and pavilion for concert events, a youngsters’s playground, an out of doors classroom house, a devoted meals truck space and extra.

“I am proud to have voted on a bipartisan government package that included more than $7 million that I secured for the Southern Gateway project here in North Texas,” Rep. Veasey mentioned in a press release. “Southern Gateway Park will help ignite important environmental, economic and community revitalization throughout the historic Oak Cliff area.”