The Dallas City Council has authorized up to $3 million to investigate possible new locations for City Hall and emergency operations facilities, marking another significant step in the city’s ongoing debate over the future of its downtown headquarters.

In two separate 9-5 votes on Wednesday, council members approved resolutions allowing City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert and commercial real estate firm CBRE to negotiate with property owners and conduct detailed evaluations of potential relocation sites. Council member Adam Bazaldua was absent during both votes.

Under the approved plan, city officials may assess up to four downtown properties for City Hall functions and up to four additional sites for 911 and emergency operations facilities.

Findings Expected Later This Summer

Tolbert told council members that staff intend to present their findings before the end of August. The evaluation process is intended to provide decision-makers with detailed information before any final determination is made regarding relocation.

The debate over City Hall has become one of Dallas’ most important civic issues in recent decades. City leaders are weighing whether to continue operating from the nearly 50-year-old building designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei or relocate city functions and redevelop the existing 12-acre property.

Supporters of relocation argue that moving operations could provide long-term financial savings, while preservation advocates contend that repairing and modernizing the existing structure would be a better option.

Funding Covers Site Reviews, Not Property Purchases

The approved resolutions allocate up to $2 million for the assessment of potential City Hall locations and up to $1 million for evaluating sites suitable for emergency and 911 operations.

The funding will support engineering studies, inspections, due diligence reviews, reimbursements to property owners, and other technical assessments required to determine whether locations meet the city’s operational needs.

The authorization does not include approval to purchase any properties.

Several Downtown Towers Reportedly Under Consideration

City officials did not publicly identify potential relocation sites during Wednesday’s meeting. However, property owners and developers familiar with the process told The Dallas Morning News that several prominent downtown properties are being evaluated. Among the locations reportedly under consideration are Bryan Tower, The Epic development in Deep Ellum, and Comerica Bank Tower.

Pacific Elm executive Billy Prewitt said city leaders, including Mayor Eric Johnson and City Manager Tolbert, toured Bryan Tower in late May. The 40-story office building is expected to become vacant within the next year.

Officials have also reportedly visited The Epic and Comerica Bank Tower. Other downtown properties believed to be part of the review process include Bank of America Plaza, 1700 Pacific, and Renaissance Tower.

Council Remains Divided on Relocation Effort

The vote reflected divisions that first emerged in March when the council directed staff to continue studying alternatives to the current City Hall facility. Council members Paula Blackmon, Laura Cadena, Cara Mendelsohn, Paul Ridley, Bill Roth, and Adam Bazaldua have consistently expressed concerns about relocation plans and have questioned the city’s approach throughout the process.

Initially, city leaders considered using federal pandemic relief funds to finance the evaluation. However, Council Member Chad West proposed using the city’s contingency reserve within the general fund instead. The council ultimately adopted that approach. West said relying on federal relief dollars could create the impression that city leaders had already decided against preserving the current building.

He emphasized that the latest vote does not authorize relocation or demolition but instead seeks a transparent comparison between renovating the existing facility and moving to a new location. Council Member Bill Roth criticized the use of contingency funds, arguing that reserve funds are typically intended for emergencies and questioning whether the city would receive sufficient value from the expenditure.

Mayor Backs Continued Exploration

Following the vote, Mayor Eric Johnson praised the council’s decision, describing it as another important move toward protecting taxpayer interests.

Johnson reiterated his belief that relocating city operations would be more cost-effective than renovating the existing facility. He also said he expects the council will ultimately choose to move municipal offices from the current City Hall at 1500 Marilla Street and establish a headquarters better suited to serve employees and residents.

Residents Split on Future of City Hall

Public comments during Wednesday’s meeting highlighted differing views among Dallas residents.

Many speakers urged city leaders to preserve City Hall, describing the I.M. Pei-designed building as an important architectural landmark and a key part of Dallas’ civic identity. Several questioned whether redeveloping the property would significantly improve downtown revitalization efforts. Resident Dolores Levy Soroka argued that City Hall itself is not responsible for downtown’s challenges and said relocating government offices would not automatically solve broader economic development issues.

Others supported the idea of moving city operations, saying new development could help stimulate activity in the urban core.Developer Shawn Todd told council members that downtown Dallas needs renewed investment and additional momentum to support future growth. The city is expected to receive detailed site evaluation results later this summer, providing the council with new information as it weighs one of the most consequential infrastructure decisions in Dallas’ recent history.