DALLAS — Concerns over a series of high-profile business and sports franchise departures from downtown Dallas dominated public comments at a Dallas City Council meeting Wednesday, as residents and city leaders discussed the future of City Hall and the city’s downtown business district.
The meeting was scheduled to focus on options for repairing or replacing Dallas City Hall, but residents repeatedly raised concerns about recent announcements by major companies and sports teams planning to leave downtown Dallas.
Among the departures announced this year are the Dallas Mavericks, which said Monday it intends to build a new arena and entertainment district at the former Valley View Mall site in north Dallas by 2031, and the Dallas Stars, which announced Tuesday that it signed a nonbinding letter of intent with the City of Plano to develop a new arena and entertainment district at the current The Shops at Willow Bend site.
Retailer Neiman Marcus also announced plans to close its longtime downtown store on Main Street, while telecommunications company AT&T said earlier this year that it would relocate its headquarters to a new campus in Plano.
During public comment, residents said the departures could weaken economic activity in downtown Dallas.
Sana Syed, president of the Dallas Farmers Market Stakeholders Association, criticized the loss of several prominent downtown institutions and businesses.
Other residents expressed concerns that downtown was losing major attractions that help drive foot traffic, tourism and economic growth.
Eric Johnson addressed the issue during the meeting, describing competition among North Texas cities for businesses and development projects as increasingly intense.
“The knives are out for Dallas,” Johnson said, adding that neighboring communities along the Dallas North Tollway corridor have become strong competitors for investment and relocation projects.
Council member Jaime Resendez said the departure of the Mavericks was disappointing but emphasized the need to continue pursuing opportunities in the city’s central business district.
Despite concerns about recent relocations, some business leaders argued that downtown Dallas remains attractive to employers and investors.
Darrell Hurmis, executive vice president of real estate firm Henry S. Miller Company, said many companies are relocating closer to where their employees live, particularly in northern suburbs.
Hurmis also pointed to ongoing investments in downtown, including developments involving major financial firms and the planned convention center project, as evidence that the district continues to attract new business activity.
Meanwhile, city officials received updated estimates on potential repairs to Dallas City Hall, the iconic building designed by I. M. Pei.
Consultants presented repair options ranging from $530 million to $610 million. The estimates cover repairs only and do not include potential upgrades. The figures are lower than a $1.4 billion estimate discussed earlier this year but higher than a previous baseline repair estimate of $304 million.
Several council members linked the discussion about City Hall’s future to broader concerns about Dallas’ economic competitiveness and long-term development.
The council did not take final action on City Hall during Wednesday’s meeting.