HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7848 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NO. 7848
July 5, 1994
ufr MR To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
rExpS Subject: ' POLYTECHNIC HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN
LIBERATION COMMUNITY, NATIONSBANK AND CITY
The Parks and Community Services Department (PACSD) has been approached by
Liberation Community, Inc. regarding a possible public/private joint venture
to develop a neighborhood park in the Polytechnic Heights Community. This
joint venture would include NationsBank (both corporately and as trustee)
the Liberation Community, a neighborhood action group from the model block
program and the City of Fort Worth.
In the early 19801s, the PACSD identified a deficiency in neighborhood park
facilities within two inner city communities, including the near southside
(Fairmont area) and Polytechnic Heights. Funds in the amount of $400, 000
were appropriated in the 1986 Capital Improvement Program (C.I.P. ) to acquire
and develop neighborhood park sites to address these deficiencies. At the
request of the Fairmont Homeowners Association in 1990, a site was identified
and acquired to fulfill their neighborhood park deficiency. Funds from the
1986 C.I.P. project were used to acquire property, demolish existing
structures and develop infrastructure items including curb and gutter along
the perimeter streets. The Polytechnic Heights project has not been
implemented due to the level of C.I.P. funds necessary for acquisition and
development and the lack of operational funds necessary to maintain planned
improvements.
In January, 1994, a trust officer of NationsBank approached the Liberation
Community, who then approached the PACSD regarding the establishment of a
park. To that end, Liberation -Community then- submitted a request to-,sponsor
the acquisition and development of a park site which would serve the model
block area.. A site was identified which would address the documented
deficiency and provide recreational opportunities to the model block
residents. The property identified was held in trust by NationsBank of
Texas. Liberation Community contacted NationsBank to solicit their support
and involvement in the partnership opportunity.
On April 22, 1994, a meeting was held between all parties to discuss the
sequence of events and the roles of each party. From that meeting it was
learned that NationsBank, trustee for the James Titus Paulsel Trusts, is
looking to distribute properties totaling approximately seven (7) acres to
the Paulsel family. Mrs. Margaret Paulsel, along with her children, have
expres sed their desire to donate the property for use as a public park, with
the condition that the park be named Titus Paulsel Park, in--honor of her-
husband*.' The.family has chosen Liberation Community as the organization they
would donate the property to. Liberation Community would in turn deed the
property, to the City of Fort Worth. PACSD, working with the neighborhood
action group (residents of the model block) , would prepare development plans
and utilize the project fund balance of $137, 960 for construction of these
improvements. Once completed, the corporate side of NationsBank would
provide funds to maintain the park for five (5) years at a funding level of
approximately $3, 000 per year. From time to time, the bank would support the-
park with volunteer efforts from its employee ranks for special projects
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH T;=Y&q-
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NO. 7848
WTE July 5 1 1994
1* ok FMOR To the Ma Page 2 of 2
yor and Members of the City Council
0
Let x Subject: POLYTECHNIC HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN
ien LIBERATION COMMUNITY, NATIONSBANK AND CITY
within the developed park.
Staff is requesting City Council's endorsement for this public/private
partnership. Items concerning acceptance of donation of property and award
of contract will come before the Council for consideration at a later date.
if the City Council desires additional information on this matter, please let
me know.
b Terr
City Manager
BT:q
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS