Fair Park First Seeks Resident Institution for Women’s Building

Fair Park First is offering local organizations and institutions the opportunity to occupy the historic Women’s Building at Fair Park. With approximately 70,000 square-feet of space this is an exciting opportunity to become a long-term resident of the campus.

Consideration requires the completion of a Request for Information (RFI) where respondents will share vision and mission statements, a detailed business plan and, among other things, an executive summary.  A complete list of requirements can be found online at https://fairparkfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Fair-Park-Long-Term-Tenant-Process-Womens-Museum.pdf and in the attached RFI. Submissions will be accepted until February 28, 2020.

FAIR PARK HISTORY

Fair Park is a 277-acre park campus located in Dallas, Texas. Fair Park is approximately three (3) miles southeast of downtown Dallas and is registered as a Dallas Landmark and National Historic Landmark. Fair Park hosted the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936 and most of the Art Deco Buildings were built in preparation for the celebration of Texas’ Centennial. The State Fair began in 1886 on land donated to the City of Dallas. Over the years the Park has grown to include many cultural institutions including performance venues, museums and sports stadiums. The historic Cotton Bowl sits majestically inside Fair Park serving as one of the identifiable landmarks that populate the landscape. The Hall of State and the Tower Buildings evoke historic milestones and reflect the many cultures inhabiting Texas.

FAIR PARK FIRST

Fair Park First, a 501c3 non-profit, has entered a 20-year Management Agreement with the City of Dallas as Private Managers of Fair Park. Fair Park is home to many resident institutions, such as the African American Museum, Dallas Summer Musicals, Texas Discovery Gardens and the State Fair of Texas, in addition to many other major events and daily attractions. As the Manager of Fair Park, Fair Park First sets policy and direction with Spectra as the Operator.

Fair Park First has adopted four key pillars; Activation, History, Community and Culture.

• Activation involves bringing more visitors to the park on a daily and weekly basis for community programming, recreation and events.
• History respects and protects Fair Park’s National Historic Landmark status, with the largest collection of Art Deco architecture on one campus, while also being home to historically significant venues and events.
• Community requires a deeper connection to the local neighborhood residents in significant, thoughtful and sustainable ways creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
• Culture enhances the current resident institutions, the collection of period visual and tactile art, as well as, creating a new destination for residents near and far.

It is our intent to repopulate various unoccupied historic facilities on campus with unique offering unlike anything in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Fair Park First is seeking organizations and operators that share in the collective vision that Fair Park is the crown jewel of the City of Dallas Park Systems, shining brightly as a destination for locals and visitors alike. Fair Park First desires operators that understand the dynamics of a year-round destination and who maintain and update their operations to attract new and repeat visitors.

Fair Park and its buildings are owned by the City of Dallas and managed through a Public-Private Partnership. As such, Fair Park First asks that all potential organizations include diversity and equity opportunities in all contracting and purchasing activities for the life of the lease term. We are also requesting that organizations understand the importance of inclusion and be willing to welcome all residents and visitors to the Park and their respective venues. It is a new day at Fair Park and our goal is to have the property be representative of the entire community.