DALLAS — A little rivalry never hurts at the Cotton Bowl. That is where Angelas Guillory and Indria Hollingsworth-Thomas spent years watching their alma maters battle.
“In 1985 when I was a freshman, I came to the State Fair classic, the game between Grambling and PV where I saw the legendary coach, Eddie Robinson, win. I believe it was his 402 game,” said Hollingsworth-Thomas, a Dallas resident and JE Dunn Construction employee.
“I grew up coming here every year, a little kid driving from Houston to watch the Prairie View-Grambling rivalry every year,” said Guillory. He lives in Dallas and works at JE Dunn Construction.
Setting their rivalry aside, the two are working on a major project together. They are helping to renovate the historic stadium.
“It’s really a sense of pride for me and really our entire project team,” said Hollingsworth-Thomas.
“This is a very historic job for us,” said Guillory. “Now full circle, you’re part of the group not just visiting. It’s the group that’s building it.”
The $140 million project is one of the largest investments in Fair Park’s history.
“It shows the investment of the City of Dallas for the citizens not only of the entire metroplex but South Dallas, specifically,” said Darren James, Fair Park First President. The nonprofit organization manages the park.
“A lot of things that we heard was that it was so tight and congested,” said James.
Developers are adding 14 escalators, more restrooms, concession stands, new multi-story entries, and expanding the concourses. One concourse will have two new outdoor terraces overlooking Downtown Dallas.
There will also be the creation of new premium seating environments and a newly expanded press area in the South endzone.
“We’re trying to increase that patron flow so that they can get their corny dog and get back to the game,” said James.
The renovations are expected to be completed by the 2025 State Fair of Texas.