QuikTrip branding could be visible at Dallas’ new police academy.
The Tulsa-based convenience store chain, which donated $10 million to the project in May, is the first major sponsor announced that could have its name on the facility.
Donors have the chance to put their names on nearly every part of Dallas’ new police academy — if the price is right.
The city has less than half of the estimated $227 million needed to build a law enforcement training center at the University of North Texas at Dallas. City officials are asking voters to consider approving a $443 million bond package to cover some of the cost.
Dallas is also selling naming rights for the academy for $50 million, according to a “Sponsorship Toolkit” distributed to City Council members last month as the city seeks private money for the long-promised academy.
Donors can name the physical training pavilion for $30 million. Other buildings, a reality-based training center and outdoor training yards carry $10 million price tags.
Cities are increasingly turning to selling naming rights to fund major capital projects. Dallas has also floated selling the name of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center as part of the ongoing, multibillion-dollar redevelopment.
QuikTrip’s donation was intended to secure naming rights to the academy’s basic training building. One of the UNT Dallas academy’s fundraisers, Lynn McBee, said there have been several commitments to the project that included naming opportunities but wouldn’t say how many.
The toolkit encourages council members to discuss the naming opportunities with prospective donors and connect them with the fundraising team McBee is on.
Donors could have their names on classrooms, computer labs, solar canopies, outdoor fitness stations, rain gardens and park benches. Givers gifting a cumulative $1,000 or more will get a spot on the academy’s donor recognition wall.
Want your name on the auditorium? That’s $5 million. Donors can give $4 million for a 200-meter indoor track, $3 million for the entry plaza and $1.5 million for either the exterior memorial panels or an interior lobby memorial.
City leaders and elected officials plan to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the academy Thursday.
The city’s $443 million bond proposition would provide $149 million toward a separate Public Safety Training Complex at Dallas Executive Airport, which is expected to cost about $170 million. The proposition would fund a consolidated police property room, evidence-vehicle storage facility and crime lab.
It would also pay to relocate 911 and emergency operations from City Hall and replace Fire Station No. 4.