County, Ballroom partner on drive-in project

By STERRY BUTCHER

MARFA – Presidio County officials and Ballroom Marfa have agreed to explore a public-private partnership that could bring major improvements to Vizcaino Park.

What’s proposed is to place a multi-use band shell and film screen in a largely unused practice field at the park. It’s a project that Ballroom Marfa, a cultural arts organization, has had in development for several years, called the Drive-In.

“We’re confident that the project we put forth is best realized in collaboration between Ballroom Marfa and Presidio County,” J.D. DiFabbio, of Ballroom, told county commissioners on Monday.

DiFabbio and her colleague, Melissa McDonnell, set up small models of the structure on the commissioners’ table. Its honeycomb design is by Michael Meredith, a former Chinati architect in residence and currently a Harvard professor.

“The initial location was on a vacant lot on private land in the southeast corner of town,” DiFabbio said. “As we developed the project, roads and water and electricity proved extremely cost prohibitive. We went back to square one and looked for existing infrastructure. Vizcaino Park was the beautiful alternative.”

In its latest incarnation, the Drive-In would not be an actual drive-in where people park in front of the screen. Located in the southwest corner of Vizcaino, where there is now only a backstop, the venue would be suitable for film, music, dance, and theater performances. Ballroom would deliver “eclectic, historical and educational programs” at the site, according to its literature. Events by organizations like the public library or a local school district would be fee-free. If the Dallas Film Festival, however, wanted to book a weekend event, they’d pay for the facility’s use and the county would get that money.

The architect, said DiFabbio, is willing to put together a park master plan that would include renovating and updating the bathrooms – that day can’t come soon enough – along with permanent seating, bike racks, a “sculptural playground,” new native plantings and a catchment system, road grading and a commissioned sculpture.

Ballroom sought a letter of support for the proposal in order to apply for a National Endowment for the Arts planning grant of up to $250,000. Ballroom would fundraise the cost of construction and gather information about maintenance costs.

“My concern is about all the hard work that people have already put in there,” said Commissioner Felipe Cordero. “When it’s finished, it won’t belong to you. It’ll belong to the county.”

DiFabbio nodded in understanding. Much more conversation and detailed planning would take place, she said, if and when the planning grant comes through.

“The idea that this park can get improved – that’s a no brainer,” said County Judge Paul Hunt. “This grant would allow that process to proceed.”

“I don’t particularly agree,” said Cordero after the unanimous vote to support the grant application. “But I’m negotiable.”

Also at the meeting, commissioners:

• agreed that Hunt will write a letter of support for a proposed motor raceway at the old Marfa Army Airfield, pending clarification of some items.

• backed a resolution that protests more unfunded mandates from the Legislature.