Chase Donates $3 Million To The Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation

The Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation announces a $3 million donation from Chase as the lead donor in the final phase of the capital campaign. Chase will name The Promenade, the tree-lined walkway that spans the length of the 5-acre deck park currently under construction in downtown Dallas. In addition to the construction of The Promenade, this donation will also fund free public programming upon The Park’s completion.

"We are incredibly grateful for Chase’s leadership and investment in Dallas,” said Chairman Jody Grant. "The Park is a significant public, community gathering space that will improve our city’s quality of life for many years to come, creating a legacy for Dallas. Chase’s support will spur on the completion of our vision for this project.”

"Woodall Rodgers Park is a key element of the ongoing revitalization of downtown Dallas. It will provide a vibrant green space that will bring together people from all parts of the city and all walks of life,” said Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co. "Chase is making this donation because Dallas and Texas are very important to us. We have more than 12,000 employees in North Texas, and we’re proud to be a steadfast supporter of this community.”

The Promenade

The Promenade, a half-moon-shaped walkway, will extend the length of the park and connect all of the key amenities. The pedestrian artery joins the Children’s Garden on the west end with the restaurant and performance pavilion in the center with the water sculpture on the east side. The 15-foot wide path will be planted with Pond Cypress trees. The Park is designed to improve pedestrian connectivity in Dallas, and the Promenade is a key element of the plan.

The Capital Campaign

"From the beginning, Chase has been an enthusiastic advocate for The Park, including providing financing for this important project. Now we are thrilled to make a significant financial contribution that will improve our city's quality of life,” said Elaine Agather, Chairman of Chase in Dallas. "We encourage those who love Dallas to join Chase in supporting this important new project."

Chase’s contribution is the lead donation in the final phase of The Park’s capital campaign with a goal of raising $30 million for The Park’s amenities and programming.

About The Park

The Park will serve as a central gathering space for Dallas and its visitors to enjoy in the heart of the city. The 5.2-acre deck park will create an urban green space over the existing Woodall Rodgers Freeway between Pearl and St. Paul streets in downtown Dallas. Plans include a performance pavilion, restaurant, walking trails, a dog park, a children’s discovery garden and playground, water features, an area for games and much more.

Connectivity is central to The Park's purpose. The Park will promote increased pedestrian, trolley and bicycle use between Uptown, Downtown and the Arts District, contributing to a more walkable city center.

The Park will create a front lawn for the surrounding cultural offerings including the Dallas Center for Performing Arts, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Morton Meyerson Symphony Hall, the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts and the future Museum of Nature and Science.

Construction on the deck plaza began in October 2009. The base park is expected to be complete in early 2012 with amenities expected to be complete in late 2012.

Design, deck and tunnel construction are funded through a public-private partnership including $20 million in bond funds from the City of Dallas, $20 million in highway funds from the state and federal government through TxDOT, and $20 million from private donations. In March, the Park was selected to receive $16.7 million in stimulus funds that are specifically for transportation enhancement construction. The Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation continues to raise private funds, including the naming rights for park features, to fund amenity construction, operations and programming.

The Park will be owned by the City of Dallas and managed by the private Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation. The Foundation has studied great public parks across the country and plans to bring best practices to The Park's operations, programming and maintenance.

The Park’s design is led by The Office of James Burnett, Thomas Phifer and Partners, Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. and Bjerke Management Solutions. The Texas Department of Transportation selected Archer Western as the contractor for construction of the deck plaza.

Jody Grant serves as Chairman of the Board of the Woodall Rodgers Foundation and is joined by President Linda Owen, and board members Nancy Best, Garrett Boone, Leo Corrigan, Ed Fjordbak, Sheila Grant, Jeff Jackson, John Muse, Rob Walters and John Zogg.