Proposed Downtown Civic Park to Cost Upwards of $10 Million
During Tuesday's Lubbock City Council meeting, City of Lubbock staff presented their final design for the proposed downtown civic park to city council members. The plan is for a park to be built where the former Lubbock Power & Light building is currently, off Broadway Street and Avenue M. If approved, the old LP&L building will be demolished.
The proposal is part of a master plan to revitalize downtown Lubbock’s Central Business District. It’s estimated to cost $5.9 million but with additional features, up to $10.8 million. An amphitheater, shaded pavilion, public art, and space for food trucks are some of the items to be added.
The city plans to fund the downtown park through fundraisers and donations. A local non-profit, Helen Jones Foundation, entered a grant agreement with the city putting the project $500,000 closer. Meanwhile, $2 million have already been allocated for the project by Lubbock's Central Business District Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone. Half of that will go towards the demolition of the old LP&L building.
The Helen Jones Foundation grant is set to be paid in January 2022, and must be used for the park by December 31, 2022.
The plan is still in the talking stages as the City Council has yet to finalize the proposal.