The Dallas City Council has finally cleared some of the blocks toward establishing a park along Trinity River. The plans were previously delayed by a decades-long debate over whether to build a toll road along the river. The Dallas Morning News reports that the city officially declared the toll road a dead issue. The city also approved a public-private partnership for managing Trinity Park. 

The city formed a local government corporation, or LGC, tasked with building a park in the floodplain along the banks of the Trinity River. The City Council voted 9-6 to approve the LGC. However, Mayor Mike Rawlings reportedly hoped the park issue would be more unifying than it was, especially considering the contentious issue of the toll road.

"At the end of the day, put the citizens first, put the future first, and let's build something for this city and let's get on with taking care of city business," said Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway to the Dallas Morning News.

Though construction of the park will still happen, the issue remains a source of debate and tension. Various members of the City Council remained distrustful of those who were the most ardent and vocal supporters of the toll road. Ultimately the group resolved their differences through open debate.

Now the project moves forward in such a way that the public gets to have input into its management. 

Annette Simmons, the widow of billionaire philanthropist Harold Simmons, donated $50 million toward the construction of the park. Mrs. Simmons’ gift included the stipulation that a local governmental corporation is put in charge of financial plans for the park’s construction.