Fair Park-How important is it to you?

                               Bronze Door-Hall of State                                   Photo credit/Becky Rader

Teaching moment: Looking at the picture above can you tell which industry from the 1930's (remember the building was completed in 1936) is represented? Good guess. Now what other items are represented in this---look closely.  Lots to see at this fabulous building that at the time it was finished was said to be one of the three most important places for Texas History, the other two? The Alamo and the San Jacinto Monument. Come by for a tour sometime...

Dallas is known for many things and in my humble opinion one of the best places we have to offer, but admittedly most neglected maintenance wise, is Fair Park. Some call it a City jewel others distain it as a relic of the past.

But whatever your opinion is, all of that is about to change. For the first time in a very, very long time the City has chosen to place Fair Park as a separate item in the upcoming 2017 Bond. Some people though are under the misconception that the money for Fair Park, $50 Million, is to go to the group that is awarded the Fair Park Management Agreement, this is not accurate.

The money will go to the immediate needs repair for many buildings and will be under the purview of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. Several buildings have major flood damage from leaking roofs and condensation issues, others have critical electrical repair needs, structural stabilization, plumbing, chiller, mechanical equipment, heat pump replacement, etc.

This list is by no means carved in stone and is only in draft form. Perhaps this can be viewed as an incentive for whomever takes over management of Fair Park so that new occupants for the vacant buildings are a little more easily acquired. And yes, we need a real park at Fair Park.

Here is an article from the DMN about this issue: 
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/fair-park/2017/06/27/fair-park-need-50m-face-lift-dallas-city-council-let-voters-decide

Below is the Aug. 17th, 2017 Draft of the proposed use of the $50 Million allocated for Fair Park

Project Description                                                                                                   Amount
1. Hall of State-Exterior wall and plaza restoration; exterior drainage 
and lighting; repair or replace exterior doors and windows; other
architectural interior and exterior repairs; repair sump pump; other                             $14,410,000
plumbing repairs; address dehumidification issues; replace heaters and 
other mechanical repairs; electrical repairs; elevator; ADA; and other
necessary repairs 
2. Music Hall-Elevator; carpeting; replace old plumbing pipes; security;
ADA improvements and other necessary repairs                                                       $ 4,300,000
3. African American Museum-Resolve water intursion; repair interior finishes; 
flush condenser water system; complete mechanical and electrical repairs                  $ 2,000,000
4. Texas Discovery Gardens-Chiller                                                                         $    300,000
5. Food and Fiber Building-Structural stabilization; repair damaged finishes;
and other necessary repairs                                                                                      $ 1,500,000
6. Coliseum-Water infiltration; flooring; plumbing; electrical/mechanical;
 restrooms; and other necessary repairs; Phase 1 Restoration                                    $ 9,500,000
7. Tower Building-Water infiltration repairs; interior renovation; plumbing;
mechanical/electrical; and other necessary repairs                                                      $ 3,500,000
8.Centennial Building-Roof repair; interior; exterior; electrical/mechanical;
mural and bas relief conservation; and other necessary repairs                                   $ 4,400,000
9. Pan American Complex-Poultry-Exterior restoration, repair interior doors;
Sheep and Goat-Renovation of concrete columns and stucco; Police Mounted 
Unit-Repair concrete, stucco, doors, columns, ventilation for electrical and 
elevator rooms; Arena-roof and louver; and other necessary repairs                          $ 3,480,000
10. Science Place 1(Phase 1)-Water infiltration repairs; conduct mold
testing; replace plumbing fixtures and water heater; replace aged mechanical
equipment; security                                                                                                  $ 5,110,000
11. Aquarium annex- Roof repairs and complete facade repairs; replace
some interior finishes; replace plumbing fixtures; upgrade fire alarm system;
provide new security                                                                                                $    600,000
 12. Magnolia Lounge-Roof replacement; repair facade; complete minor 
interior work; replace heat pumps and FCU's; replace interior lighting;
install security system                                                                                               $    900,000

Total for Fair Park-Proposition J (Bond)                                                             $50,000,000

 




 

Memorial Day - May 29, 2017

Bluebirds on fenceposts                                         Becky Rader

Today marks a day of remembrance for those that have fought for our country, whether in action of wars and conflicts or by serving in a branch of the military. I visited Restland Cemetery today and placed American flags on my grandfather's grave, as mother always did.

I remember and honor my family members who have served. 

My late husband was in the Infantry, Cpt. Lester D. Rader, III, Airborne Ranger. Lester loved the military life and served his country well, giving it his all. He was stationed at Ft. Hood after graduating college. I remember Killeen well, all the speed traps too. He went to Ft. Bragg for winter Ranger school and returned as a Ranger, with walking pneumonia. Proud of his accomplishment! The entire 3/41 Battalion was sent to West Germany to a new base, Clay Kaserne near Osterholtz-Scharmbeck. I followed a year later. He, and others in the Battalion, were transferred to Baumholder, where we lived in NATO housing in Birkenfeld, near the base. It was great to live among others serving from so many different countries. After serving overseas, we were sent to Ft. Benning, GA., Home of the Infantry. It was at Martin Army Hospital that our son was born.

My husband's father was KIA in Korea, Lester D. Rader, Jr. His father never saw his son and yet I know he would have been proud.

My husband had several of his family members serve, including an uncle and several cousins.

My father served in WWII and in the Korean War, Melvin Howe. After WWII service in France and Germany he came back to Texas and completed his degree at SMU, thanks to the G.I. Bill, where he met my mother. He had stayed in the reserves and was called back in for the Korean war. My father never spoke of either war until I married Lester and we were stationed in Germany. My parents came to visit and I learned much about my father's time spent there. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his service.

My father's dad, George Howe served in WWI in the Infantry. Other than that I do not know much. He never talked about it that I can remember. He was a great man who made his own way.

My mother's dad, Dr. A. W. Brazda, served in both WWI, in the Army, and WWII, in the Air Force. There was a need for medical professionals during WWII, so my grandfather re-upped and was sent in, he was in his 40's. He was one of the first surgeons to land on the beaches during the Normandy invasion. He stayed in the reserves after the war and had just retired right before his unexpected death.

These are the memories I have of the service that my family gave to our country. Some gave their lives and all served their country well.

May your day be one of remembrance and gratitude. 

All Gone

The book is sold out and will not be re-published at this time. Please ignore the order link. Trying to get that removed.

Thank you to all of the people who had an interest in George Boyd's exemplary nature photography and my work on our joint effort in "Nature's Images of White Rock Lake Park."

It was a pleasure to meet several of you and I know that George would have enjoyed that also. He was someone that had the ability to converse with anyone. Plus he loved to share his pursuit of the wonders of the lake. He was a dogged activist on all matters of nature and chose to use photography as his method of spreading the word.

Working with his wife, Shirley, has been one of the greatest and most enjoyable occurrences to have happened in my life. We worked together to get the book published and to find that perfect fit for our self publishing endeavor. That was an experience! Many friendships were made in the process and will continue.

It is sad to have this finished, but if we decide to get back out there in some manner YOU will be the first to know.

I will still post about my interests in Dallas, though not frequently, as you might have noticed. Lots happening...maybe you will get the short and to the point version as one of my favorite bloggers, Seth Godin, does.

Thanks again to all of you and stay tuned! Life is an adventure and we are on this road together : )