White Rock Hills residents discuss location of library and recreation center

by PegNews wire

Community pushes for co-location, while Parks and Library boards move in the opposite direction.

WHITE ROCK HILLS — At the May 14 meeting of the Ferguson Road Initiative, President Bill Coleman reported that the library and recreation center had been approved for funding in the 2003 and 2006 bond programs, but that they might not be built on the FRI-favored location on Highland Road at Ferguson Road. The Library Boards is not receptive to FRI’s proposal for co-locating the two facilities on a common site. Rumor has it that the City’s Library Board is leaning toward a separate site for the library. Coleman listed a number of reasons for co-location, including: Reduced costs through shared infrastructure and utilities costs, other potential library sites are restricted in size and offer no opportunity for future expansion or a black box theater, better serving of the area’s population, and more efficiency through shared parking. He spoke on the City’s Renaissance Plan, which calls for regional recreation centers, larger than the usual 15,000 sq. ft. center, the proximity to the new Primrose Senior Housing project and the need for a nearby senior facility, and that DART is considering an improvement in bus transportation on Ferguson Road.

Susan Walker said that the Parks & Recreation Dept. think that the Highland/Ferguson site is best for a recreation center, but will not a fund a feasibility study needed to get private funding to augment bond funds for increasing the facility size to a 50,000-85,000 sq. ft. regional center. A public-private partnership would call for 20% funding by the City and 80% funding by the private sector, similar to funding for the Calatrava bridges on the Trinity River. The Library Dept. is leaning toward a site at Lakeland and Ferguson.

Bobbi Bilnoski passed out a list of pros and cons regarding co-location, along with a map of the area served by the new library. The FRI-preferred Highland/Ferguson site has lots of room for growth, does not take any houses or churches (as some Library Dept. proposals do.) The Highland/Ferguson site brings the Weed & Seed strategy to life by “weeding” (replacing a blighted dump site) and “seeding” (adding amenities that serve the community.) Co-locating the library/recreation center would help revitalize an entire corner of Highland/Ferguson. Since there are more apartment units within walking distance of the Highland/Ferguson site than the Lakeland/Ferguson site, the former would better serve apartment communities. Although the Lakeland/Ferguson site is more centrally located in the service area, moving the site ½ mile would have little negative effect on service.

The Library Dept-preferred site at Lakeland is on the site of the under-construction Villas at Ash Creek Town Homes. The White Rock Hills community fought hard to resolve issues regarding the town home development, feels these new homes will add to Dallas’ tax base and should not be replaced by a library. Putting the library on developed property will increase the cost of the project. Bilnoski said that the Library Dept. had not given reasons for preferring the Lakeland site, other than they have stated it is too far south of their service area.

Vikki Martin said that White Rock Hills had been neglected by the City in terms of amenities before FRI came along. Through FRI efforts, the area now has VITA, DEFY, other programs. We also have more planned partnerships with DISD. FRI wants the best library and recreation center facilities possible, as these are part of a larger vision. FRI will be meeting with City Manager Mary Suhm on May 31. Martin asked if FRI should “blow off the dream” or continue to work for co-location.

Feedback included:

• It is our money, why does the City refuse to listen to their constituents?
• The Highland/Ferguson location provides accessibility for a pedestrian-prone community.

A straw poll was taken, and the consensus of the community mandated that FRI keep working for co-location. The attendees were told that there may soon be a need to mobilize the community to go to City Hall if the Library and Park Boards do not agree with co-location.

Coleman said attendees are community leaders, should go back to their groups and explain the situation. It could be years before the library and community center are actually constructed, and having a public/private partnership can expedite construction. If the past bond funds are not enough to purchase land needed, the City may hold off the project until more funding can be provided through the next bond program (probably 2009-2010).

Source: Ferguson Road Initiative