AECOM has won a contract to manage major capital improvements for Fair Park, the historic 277-acre entertainment district in Dallas known for hosting the State Fair and the Cotton Bowl Stadium, the contractor said in a release. The transformation will emphasize resilience and sustainability to better serve its 6 million annual visitors into the future.
Fair Park’s updated master plan proposes new public spaces and eight new buildings, including a hotel and exhibition facilities exploring Texas’ industrial history. Existing museums will also be expanded.
In the first phase of the transformation, AECOM will oversee the delivery of the 18-acre Community Park Complex. Plans call for various recreation areas, an outdoor market, cafes and a performance stage. It will also include a 1,650-space parking structure and feature blue-green infrastructure to mitigate flooding and other environmental risks, per the release.
This phase of work will cost around $93 million and is slated to wrap in December 2024, according to Fair Park First, the nonprofit managing the project. It was designed by landscape architect firm Studio MLA and global design firm Gensler.
“With this new partnership, we can continue the work of putting the park back in Fair Park and restoring it to its rightful place as an international attraction,” said Fair Park First Board President Darren L. James in the release.
On future Fair Park projects, AECOM will manage design, construction, permitting and closeout, according to the release.
