DALLAS — Fair Park First, a nonprofit in partnership with The City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department, announced Wednesday it received a $5 million gift from John and Helen Carona for the naming of the now Carona Plaza at the Cotton Bowl Stadium.
The Carona Plaza will serve as the signature heartbeats of the Fair Park campus, situated directly in front of the iconic Cotton Bowl Stadium and Leonhardt Lagoon. The Plaza will receive upgrades including new concrete work, landscaping and sitting areas, as well as marquee signage at the north and south ends, according to a press release.
“It is an honor to have the Carona family invest in the storied past and hopeful future of Fair Park,” said Veletta Forsythe-Lill, Board of Directors member, Fair Park First. “They will help us create a new and inviting campus for all.”
The Carona Plaza improvements, coupled with the $140 million of improvements going into the Cotton Bowl Stadium, will create vibrant hospitality at the center of Fair Park, officials said.
"This is an incredible gift that supports a historic gem in our city. I want to thank John Carona and his family, who have served our state over many years, for their generosity and commitment to Fair Park and Cotton Bowl Stadium," said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. "As we can see this month during the great State Fair of Texas, these are vital venues that serve Dallas residents while helping us welcome guests beyond our city, from across our state and from around the world.”
Along with the Cotton Bowl Stadium and Carona Plaza renovations, Fair Park has several other capital projects on the campus underway during Phase 1 of the Master Plan. These include the Music Hall, African American Museum, Dallas, Visitor Center, Magnolia Lounge, creation of the 18-acre Community Park, a 1.4-acre neighborhood park, and several other building and grounds projects.
Fair Park First has also proposed a $2 surcharge to every ticket on the campus. Organizers believe that should raise over $240 million over 30 years.
"This is just the next piece in a collective and pragmatic plan to be able to fund Fair Park sustainably forever," said Luallen.
Luallen wants to stress that events that are generally free will remain free to visitors.
Fair Park First has identified several funding sources like Prop A, Fair Park Capital Improvement and others to the tune of about $645 million. Luallen says that kind of financial strategy should help revitalize the Cotton Bowl and amenities at Fair Park the modern consumer has become accustomed to. The hope is this financial commitment will also put the Cotton Bowl on a national stage never before seen.
Luallen says the $2 surcharge will take effect after the group has had a chance to engage with all the tenants at Fair Park.
More Texas headlines: