New deck park in southern Dallas set to finish first phase with city approved funding

Dallas, Texas – The Dallas City Council has officially approved up to $8 million in funding to finalize the first phase of the much-anticipated Halperin Park Plaza, a transformative deck park project being constructed over IH-35 East between Marsalis Avenue and Ewing Avenue, near the Dallas Zoo.

The Plaza, which spans approximately five acres, is being designed in two phases. The first phase, currently 85% complete, covers the section between Ewing Avenue and Lancaster Avenue. The second phase will continue the project from Lancaster Avenue to Marsalis Avenue, fully linking the Oak Cliff area across the freeway divide.

“Working together, this public-private partnership will help bridge Oak Cliff neighborhoods near the Dallas Zoo,” said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “When completed, Halperin Park will be a landmark City park and a community asset for the southern sector of Dallas while catalyzing economic development in the area.”

Funding and Collaboration Behind the Project

The new funding authorized by the City Council will come from two sources:

• $6.96 million from the Oak Cliff Gateway Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District

• $1,035,802 from the 2012 Bond Program (Proposition 3)

The bond funds are considered discretionary, and Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson requested that they be applied toward completing the Plaza.

The deck superstructure that supports the park was constructed by the Texas Department of Transportation, with primary financial backing from the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, serving as the park’s developer, has worked to raise additional funds from private sources. Among the key supporters is the Halperin Foundation, which has committed an impressive $23 million toward the park’s realization.

A New Urban Landmark for Southern Dallas

The first phase of Halperin Park Plaza is expected to be completed by spring, marking the creation of Dallas’s second deck park, following the success of Klyde Warren Park. Once complete, Halperin Park is projected to serve as a major green space, community hub, and economic catalyst in the southern part of the city.