Local Cartoon

Dallas City Council has decided it would rather move out of City Hall than fix it. After months of debate, the City Council voted against a plan to spend roughly $500 million repairing the iconic I.M. Pei-designed building, clearing the way for a possible relocation and redevelopment of one of downtown’s most valuable pieces of real estate.

Supporters of the move argue that City Hall is a deteriorating money pit and that the site could become a catalyst for revitalizing downtown. Preservationists counter that Dallas is preparing to abandon one of its most recognizable architectural landmarks because maintaining old buildings isn’t as exciting as handing prime real estate to developers.

The debate comes at an awkward moment for Dallas. The Mavericks are eyeing North Dallas, the Stars are heading toward Plano, Neiman Marcus is leaving downtown, and AT&T has already moved its headquarters north. Faced with the prospect of watching half the city relocate to the suburbs, Dallas leaders have concluded that the best way to save downtown might be to move City Hall, too.

It’s especially odd that city leaders voted to leave City Hall before choosing a new location. Most people shop for a new house before putting their furniture on the curb. Dallas, apparently, prefers to wing it.