CF-Park Land-CS 940920 COPPELL PUBLIC WORKS
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 20, 1994
TO: Jim Witt, City Manager
FROM: Steven G. Goram, Director of Public Wot
RE: Update on Proposed Riverchase Park Donation ~md Fire Station Site
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a report on a meeting that was held on
Tuesday, September 20, 1994, with officials from the Republic Property Group and Dallas
Metropolitan YMCA. This meeting dealt with the proposed YMCA site, proposed park site
and fire station location in the Riverchase development along MacArthur Boulevard. It was
thought that an initial meeting of all parties would be beneficial in discussing the unique
aspects of this 13+ acre tract.
Participants in this meeting were Clay Phillips, Gary Sieb, Rick Wieland, and myself from
the city, Jerry Ragsdale and Art Hewitt from Republic Property Group, and Mr. Bill Byrne,
from the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. Mr. Byrne indicated to the group lhat the YMCA
would be meeting on Thursday, September 22. 1994, to prioritize capital projects for their
upcoming t\~nd raising campaign in 19')5-96. Mr. Bvrne felt that the Coppell t~cility would
rank high in the new building projects within the Ixletropolitan YMCA's service area.
Should funds be available to build a YMCA facility from the fund raising campaign,
construction would likely begin in approximately 3 years. The first phase building would be
at least 12,000 square feet in size and would include a gymnasium, offices, adult fitness
areas, and locker room facilities for participants utilizing the building. It has not been
determined at this time as to whether or not a swimming facility would be built along with
the initial building. This decision and others involving the design of the site would occur
with a marketing study that the YMCA would be conducting in the near future.
Staff also discussed in preliminary terms with Mr. Byrne and the Republic Property Group,
how the City and YMCA could maximize the tract of land to its best use. There was
discussion of the YMCA being able to utilize the TU Electric easement for the purpose of
constructing some parking area for potential athletic fields that the YMCA and the park may
offer. As a result of this comment, staff will be consulting with the City Engineer during the
next week to see if there are any comments that he would have concerning the placement of
parking in the TU easement, which lies in the floodplain.
Staff will be meeting between October 3-7, 1994, to discuss the conceptual configuration for
the park site and spacial needs associated with a fire station at this location. Clay Phillips
will contact you to discuss financial obligations that would be involved with the acquisition of
land to accommodate a station.
We would like to be in a position to conclude this process in order that the dedication of the
proposed park can take place within the next thirty days, with the acquisition of land for the
fire station site to occur within the next tbrty-five days. Republic Property Group is aware
that should the acquisition of a fire station site occur on this tract, the amount of park
dedication and exemption to the Park Land Dedication Ordinance would be adjusted
accordingly.
As soon as Public Works, Fire, Planning, and Engineering staff have an opportunity to meet,
I will provide a report on the latest status of this matter. Should you have any questions
regarding this matter, please let me know.
SGG/rsw
cc: Clay Phillips, Fire ChieffAssistant City Manager
Ken Griffin, City Engineer/Assistant City Manager
Gary Sieb, Planning and Community Services Director
Rick Wieland, Parks and Recreation 1Manager
RVRCSPK.RSW