Fair Park Closer To Public-Private Partnership

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DALLAS (CBSDFW) - A new future for Fair Park?

The Dallas Parks and Recreation Board voted 9 to 5 Thursday to approve a much-discussed plan to put the park into the hands of a non-profit foundation that will oversee the park's management and strategic planning.

The vote was far less dramatic than the debate that preceded it. At times, District 5 representative Yolanda Williams scolded colleagues who questioned specific details of the management agreement—telling them they should have been studying the agreement when they were staging a much-discussed walkout of a previous park board meeting.

Meanwhile, Walt Humann, the retired businessman tapped to head the Fair Park Texas Foundation, continues to battle what he calls myths and misinformation dogging the project.

"I am not about just fixing up old buildings," said Humann. "That's the mantra that is repeated over and over again."

Humann is volunteering his time to get the project going; but, says a CEO will eventually be hired to make the vision a reality.

"New staff, marketing, fundraising and strategic planning. We're trying to build new projects and we're trying to fix and preserve old buildings," said Humann.

Even those opposed to the privatization plan agree that the park is not what it could and should be. But, many remain unconvinced that the management agreement is the city's best option.

The Dallas City Council is expected to vote on the proposal next month.

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