City proposes private management for Will Rogers Memorial Center

The city of Fort Worth is proposing private management of the city-owned Will Rogers Memorial Center in hopes of lowering the city’s cost and helping the center thrive.

The city has been managing the entertainment and livestock complex since 1936.

Under the proposal, Gendy Street Management Corp., a nonprofit joint venture of Trail Drive Management Corp., the not-for-profit manager of city-owned Dickies Arena and the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, would operate the complex.

Matt Carter, the president and general manager at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and Matt Homan, the president of Trail Drive Management Corp., said that their priority is to use revenue to improve the complex, including overhauling its website and adding free WiFi.

They also plan to expand the staff. City employees would not be affected by the change, Assistant City Manager Jessica McEachern said during the June 2 City Council work session. She said the city is proposing Gendy Street Management Corp. because of its history of partnership and a shared interest in preserving the complex’s assets.

“Both of the entities have a vested interest in maintaining the Will Rogers Memorial Center. You need someone who understands the uniqueness of the facility,” McEachern said.

The presentation noted that the city has seen other positive outcomes with outsourcing, such as the Fort Worth Zoo, which has been ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today.

Council member Macy Hill said she sees great opportunities for improvement. The Fort Worth City Council will vote on the matter at its meeting on June 9. If the proposal passes, it will go into effect Oct. 1.