A citywide coalition of community groups, residents, business owners, architects and preservationists has formed to demand transparency and responsible governance before a rushed Dallas City Council vote on a controversial plan to abandon Dallas City Hall.
The Save Dallas City Hall coalition asks city leaders to pause the fast-tracked timeline so that an informed and objective decision can be made about how best to redevelop the southern portion of downtown Dallas.
The coalition launched a new website, yard sign initiative and social media campaign to shine a light on a process. Rather than demolishing the nearly 50-year-old City Hall, the group proposes an alternative vision in which new development, including a new Dallas Mavericks arena, could flourish alongside City Hall with a reimagined public plaza, with both serving as anchors for a thriving civic, convention and entertainment district.
Backers of demolishing and relocating City Hall—including some with direct financial interests in the plan—have claimed the building is beyond repair. However, those claims rely on rushed and constantly changing estimates and fail to disclose the substantial costs of relocating city services to an even older downtown building, including renovation expenses, long-term lease obligations, and added tax burdens.
Opened in 1978, Dallas City Hall was designed by internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei as a bold, forward-looking statement about local government. Despite decades of deferred maintenance, the building remains structurally viable and capable of serving the city well into the future. By contrast, sports arenas typically have life spans of 30 years or less and often leave major redevelopment challenges once they are shuttered.
Contact your council member and ask them to hit pause.
For more information, visit https://www.savedallascityhall.com/.
View the AIA Dallas Ten President’s white papers:
- Are Dallas City Hall & Plaza Impeding Development in Downtown Dallas?
- Is Dallas City Hall Inefficient and functionally obselete?