Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation Announces $7.75 Million in Federal Community Project Funding for Phase Two Infrastructure of Landmark Bridge Park in Southern Dallas
U.S. Representatives Johnson, Veasey and Allred Requested the Funding for Southern Gateway Park as Part of Omnibus Spending Bill
(DALLAS) – Dec. 23, 2022 – The Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation received an early Christmas present this week with the passage of Congress’ Omnibus Spending Bill, which is expected to be signed by President Biden later today. The legislation includes $7.75 million in funding for the second phase of Southern Gateway Park. That funding was included at the request of Dallas’ Congressional delegation – U.S. Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Colin Allred (TX-32) and Marc Veasey (TX-33).
April Allen, president and chief operating officer of the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, said: “This is the first funding we have received for phase two of the park, and it represents a watershed moment for our project. 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.”
Southern Gateway Park is currently under construction, spanning Interstate I-35E between Ewing and Marsalis Avenues, directly adjacent to the Dallas Zoo. Slated to open in 2024, the five-acre “park with a purpose” will be a key catalyst for closing the opportunity gap that was created when the highway was originally built in the 1950s through the middle of Oak Cliff. The park is a public/private partnership with the City of Dallas and the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, with support from the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
Congresswoman Johnson made her commitment to the project clear. “I was pleased to support this additional $7.75 million in funding for the Southern Gateway Project,” she said. 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.”
Congressman Allred echoed Johnson’s comments, saying: “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. 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.”
With phase one infrastructure fully funded and nearing completion, the Foundation is scheduled to break ground on the park’s amenities in 2023. This latest round of federal funding will provide a critical foundation for construction of the park’s phase two infrastructure.
“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,” said Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33). “Southern Gateway Park will help ignite important environmental, economic and community revitalization throughout the historic Oak Cliff area."
About Southern Gateway Park
Southern Gateway Park is a five-acre bridge park spanning Interstate 35E between Ewing and Marsalis Avenues, directly adjacent to the Dallas Zoo. This “park with a purpose” will transform the city’s southern sector and be a key catalyst for closing the opportunity gap that was created when the highway was originally built in the 1950s throughthe middle of Oak Cliff. Once open, the park will attract an estimated 2 million visitors annually and generate more than $1 billion in economic impact in its first five years. In addition to native landscape and ample green space, park amenities will include: a stage and pavilion for concerts and live events, an inclusive children’s playground, outdoor classroom space, a multi-purpose building for dining and community events, integrated history exhibits, a dedicated food truck area, interactive water features, and so much more. Together with the Dallas Zoo’s Master Plan, the collective capital investment will exceed $250 million, the largest investment in Southern Dallas’ history.
For more information or to get involved, please visit www.southerngatewaypark. org.
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