According to the mayor, the construction of a new deck park in Dallas is missing $20 million.

DALLAS. Construction of the city’s newest deck park is “struggling financially” and requires additional millions of dollars to complete, Pro Tem Mayor Carolyn King Arnold said.

“We probably need an extra $20 million,” she said on Sunday Inside Texas Politics.

The so-called deck park will stretch across Interstate 35 south of the Dallas skyline between Ewing and Marsalis Avenues. It is intended to be similar to Clyde Warren Park above Woodall Rogers Highway in the city center.

Arnold credits the North Central Texas Regional Transportation Council (RTC) for helping save the project.

“In fact, there was a need for probably $80 million or more, but RTC, at least to my understanding, promised at least a portion of that amount,” Arnold said.

In November 2021, the Dallas City Council unanimously approved an agreement to develop a terraced park in Oak Cliff. The project is called South Gate Park.

Developers touted this as a way to make Oak Cliff whole again after Interstate 35E split the community in half when it was built in the 1960s.

When asked if the lack of money would delay the park’s planned opening next year, Arnold didn’t speculate.

Mayor Pro Tem also represents the Dallas Zoo, which is located near South Gate Park.

The zoo is owned by the city, but is privately owned.

When asked if she still trusts managers, Arnold replied: “Yes. And I was in daily contact with Mr. Greg Hudson. And so I have complete confidence in the world of the zoo and the management.”