On Thursday, a group of neighbors announced plans to file a lawsuit to stop a deal between the City of Dallas and a contingent led by Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson to renovate Reverchon Park.
The 41-acre Reverchon Park includes a 1920s-era ballpark that is currently in use for high-school and amateur baseball teams, but the facility’s condition has fallen on hard times. A group led by Nelson–who, in addition to serving as Mavericks GM, is also an owner of the Texas AirHogs (independent; American Association), playing out of suburban Grand Prairie–has been seeking to lease and renovate the facility as part of a $10-million plan, allowing it to be used for events such as professional and amateur baseball, soccer, lacrosse, concerts and rugby. After a vote in December resulted in the Dallas City Council splitting 7-7 on the proposal, an amended plan went before the council last month and was approved by an 11-4 margin.
It is a proposal that has drawn backlash in some circles, however, and a group of residents has revealed plans to file a lawsuit to stop the agreement from moving forward. Under details announced Thursday, the lawsuit will allege that the city violated state laws because of an insufficient public input process and the lack of a search for a viable alternative before the council’s vote to move the plan forward. More from the Dallas Observer:
In the suit, which, according to county records, had yet to be filed Thursday night, the neighbors argue the city violated state law by failing to allow appropriate public input on the deal and didn’t search for a “feasible and prudent alternative” to the deal prior to agreeing to it….
“A total lack of transparency and due process has resulted in a plan to replace Dallas’ own Field of Dreams with a private, 3,500-seat, minor league baseball, live concert and entertainment stadium that will destroy the ambiance and serenity of the entire neighborhood for up to 40 years,” the neighbors said in a press release. “The project MUST be stopped and properly reviewed, and the venerable, historic ballfield and surrounding parkland and trees must be saved.”
As part of the plan, Reverchon Park would receive new seating, along with an artificial turf to accommodate multiple uses, locker rooms, dugouts, and concessions and restrooms facilities.
Preliminary design rendering shown above. Final designs will require city approval.