I have been the project manager on Belo Garden Park for the past six years from design, remediation, and contruction. I amassed and condensed some of that inormation here.

1. Belo Garden
Story Line
July 26, 2011
1

2. TOPICS
Downtown Parks Master Plan (2003)
Site Location
Site History
Redevelopment Potential
Environmental Investigation
Property acquisition
Environmental Cleanup
Public /Private Partnership
Park Design and Development

3. Downtown Parks Network
3

4. Core Park Sites
4

7. $110M- $120M

8. Site at time of acquisition

11. Site History

13. Poly-nuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH’s)
PAHs occur in oil, coal, and tar deposits, and are
produced as byproducts of fuel burning (whether
fossil fuel or biomass). As a pollutant, they are of
concern because some compounds have been
identified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and
teratogenic
(acenaphthene, anthracene, benzo’s. , fluorene’s)
Metals
Arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead,mercury,
selenium, and silver

16. Public/Private Partnerships
City of Dallas
• Property acquisition $6.5 million
• Remediation $2 million
Council Authorized
Council Authorized
Offer October 8,
Commissioner’s Square-Foot Deposit of
Property Area 2008 Total Price
Court Award Cost Commissioner’s
(Based on Original
Award
Appraisal)
1.002 Ac
(43,647 sq. ft.)
$2,888,000 $5,276,304
, L.P. .27 Ac. $94.99 August 26, 2009 $5,276,304
$817,000 (May 15, 2009)
(11,901 sq.ft.)
1.272 Ac. total
Rosemary
.094 Ac. (4,109 $400,000
Dearing, $282,000 $97.34 August 26, 2009 $400,000
sq.ft.) (May 8, 2009)
et.al
Michael .092 Ac. $341,275
$276,000 $85.00 August 26, 2009 $341,275
Minzner (4,015 sq. ft.) (May 28, 2009 and
June 23, 2009)
$4,263,000 $6,017,579 $6,017,579

17. NCTCOG/EPA
Grant
• December 2006-RLF (Revolving Loan Fund)
provides funding to help carry out clean up
activities at brownfield sites.
• May 2007-North Central Texas Brownfields
awarded $3m ($1.5m each for petroleum and
for hazardous)
• Spring 2010 Dallas site qualified and was
selected and awarded $200,000

29. Video clip

36. Public/Private Partnerships
Belo Corporation/Belo Garden Development, LLC
$6.5 million
• Design (Hargreaves Associates)
• Construction of the Park
• $1 million Endowment for major capital and
future enhancements/improvements

37. Main Street
Entry
Garden Gardens
Hill
Garden
Texas Fountain Plaza
Grove Plaza
Gardens
Commerce Street 37

39. Lighting

42. 42

43. Central Fountain Plaza43

44. Garden and Garden Wall
44

45. a. Welfare and/or Public Health
Downtown environments can be harsh with vehicle congestion, endless concrete and the overall fast pace of
activity.
After redevelopment of the site there will be less hardscape, helping to create a green fabric in downtown.
The new park will offer a place to stop and rest; will improve stormwater runoff quality; lessen the strain on
the stormwater
conveyance system; and lower the ambient temperature with landscape and water features.
All of the above benefits will contribute to a better environment and improved physiological and mental well being
of those living and working downtown.
b. Economic Benefits and/or Green space
- create economic benefits through increased property values of adjacent properties, serving as a catalyst for
redevelopment of neighboring sites
(In 2009 The Trust for Public Land released a report, Measuring the Economic Value of a City Park System
quantifying
the impacts parks have on property value, health benefits, community cohesion, urban stormwater and air
pollution.
The report found a five percent increase in value for properties located within 500 feet of a park.)
-improving the overall downtown environment for office workers, residents and visitors.
-benefits to physical and mental health are realized as people venture outside to enjoy the amenities the park
has to offer.
-enhance community cohesion as people form relationships with other park users. These individuals come
together and
support ‘their’ park through fundraising, maintenance or hosting community events.

46. c. Environmental Benefits from Infrastructure Reuse/Sustainable Reuse
-removing contaminated soil,
-planting with vegetation and more pervious surfaces will reduce storm water runoff
-plants filters typical stormwater pollutants, improving stormwater quality
- reduced demand on the City’s stormwater infrastructure
- reduces localized urban flooding during heavy rain events.
The abundance of concrete, steel and reflective glass present in downtown environments amplifies air
temperatures and
creates an artificially hotter environment. Providing more vegetated cover
-reduces these effects by reflecting heat by providing shade
-creating surfaces that do not enhance ambient air temperatures.
-will lower ambient air temperatures,
-reduce the localized heat island effect
-and aid in the absorption of CO2 emissions.
-This will have direct effects on the residents and office workers in the neighboring buildings as the new park
landscaping and water features will help cool the surrounding area.
-The landscaping absorption of CO2 emissions from automobile and building exhaust systems
from the surrounding area and introduction of green space as proposed in the redevelopment of the subject
property is a City goal and addresses regional air quality goals.