Construction Begins on Dallas Park

September 2009

Construction is expected to begin next month on a 5.2-acre deck park that will create an urban green space spanning over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway and provide a pedestrian link between downtown Dallas and Uptown. The ceremonial groundbreaking will be on September 14th.

Currently, skyscrapers towering above and traffic zipping below dominate the landscape near the freeway. The park will provide greenery in the middle of a concrete jungle. The $44.5 Million contract includes features such as a 6,000 SF restaurant, performance pavilion, jogging trails, a children's playground, a dog park, and a water sculpture. Federal, state, city, and private funds have been committed to finance the challenging project.

Plans call for a full restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating as well as a quick, casual café for people who wish to pick up a meal to enjoy in the park. The restaurant will also include space available to rent for private events. The adjacent performance pavilion will be a central gathering space in the middle of The Park and serve as a place for free concerts and events. When not in use, the performance pavilion will have moveable tables and chairs for additional outdoor dining.

The restaurant design is conceived as a simple park pavilion, which will encourage a connection with the surrounding landscape through glass walls, skylights, and a sculpted ceiling that transitions from the indoor to the outdoor space. All four walls of the restaurant will be constructed with glass from floor-to-ceiling.