Title
Discuss Parking at the Venue 1842 Event Center and Historical Park.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Councilwoman Tina Bennett-Burton
BACKGROUND:
The Farmers Branch Historical Park is a 27-acre historic building museum that traces more than 175 years of Farmers Branch history. The Park consists of over a dozen structures representing the 1840-1940 time period. The Historical Park welcomes visitors each year and offers many opportunities for guided tours, educational programs, Girl Scout activities, special events, rentals, and photoshoots.
In 2023, the City of Farmers Branch broke ground on an 8,100-square-foot multi-purpose event center, later to be named Venue 1842. Blending the historical significance of the venue's location with a modern-sounding name, Venue 1842 refers to the origin of the City of Farmers Branch, which was originally settled in 1842. Then known as Mustang Branch, the area later became known as Farmers Branch to reflect the area's rich soil and farmland.
DISCUSSION:
With the opening of Venue 1842, there are around 60 parking spaces available for the Historical Park and Venue 1842. This does not include closing Ford Road, as has been done in the past for City events.
The presentation today shows four (4) options to increase parking given the complexity of a Flood Zone Area.
(1) Creating parking on Ford Road, including sidewalk, concrete, fire hydrant, and tree removal, estimated increase of spaces 55 at a cost of $207,755.
(2) Create parking in the Flood Zone Area on the far west side of the Historical Park, with an estimated increase of 109 spaces at a cost of $600,000.
(3) Additional parking should be added in the current area as well as around the path of the Historical Park, with an estimated increase of 70 spaces at a cost of $142,000.
(4) Keep parking as is.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Unbudgeted Financial Impact- Estimated $150,000 - $600,000
DISTRICT:
District 3
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Presentation