Lubbock City Council Moves Forward with Downtown Civic Park
During Tuesday's regularly scheduled Lubbock City Council meeting, the council voted 5-2 to approve the final plans for the downtown Civic Park Project.
This finalizes the estimated $10.8 million project to install a block-wide park on the soon-to-be demolished former Lubbock Power & Light building at 1301 Broadway. Demolition of the old LP&L building is set to occur early next year.
Construction of the park will be done in three phases with an initial design cost of $5.89 million. Funding is said to be coming through the Central Business District Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone Board, who are overseeing the project, as well as private funds and donations. The board has already put $2 million forward for the demolition of the LP&L building and obtained $1 million in grants.
The park, designed by TBG Partners, will feature an amphitheater, food court, water features, restrooms, and walkways. The project comes from the Lubbock Parks and Recreation Department's Downtown Master Plan Update which is a guideline for the City’s development and management of city parks, aquatic centers, and hiking and biking trails.
EverythingLubbock reports Councilwoman Sheila Patterson-Harris and Councilwoman Latrelle Joy were the two votes against the plan, both expressing concerns about its location as well as the estimated cost.
The city plans to break ground on the new Civic Park early next year.