The Dallas Economic Development Corporation will oversee an assessment of the City Hall’s future, tasking a team of engineers, architects, real estate brokers, and other experts with evaluating the 47-year-old building’s structural condition, repair costs, and potential relocation options.
The corporation’s vote at its Tuesday meeting comes as the city’s estimates to fully rehabilitate the I.M. Pei-designed building have soared to more than $345 million. That’s up from a 2018 assessment of City Hall that placed costs between around $19 million and $93 million, mostly for electrical, fire and roofing upgrades.
Linda McMahon, the nonprofit corporation’s CEO, said the group was asked by city officials to oversee the work and present its findings to the City Council’s Finance Committee on Feb. 23, with the report provided to the city manager by Jan. 19 . The council voted Nov. 12 to direct City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert to explore alternatives for City Hall, including a full assessment of the building, its land and surrounding properties.
“We are not opining; we’re not taking a position. We are only providing data,” McMahon said during Tuesday’s meeting at Fair Park.
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According to documents outlining the proposal given to Economic Development Corporation board members, the nonprofit will work with infrastructure consulting firm AECOM to update its 2018 report, while also engaging pro bono engineers and construction experts for an independent review of cost estimates. Other groups, including design firm Corgan and Downtown Dallas Inc., will evaluate office space needs and compare the costs of leasing, buying, or building new space versus repairing City Hall.
Under the agreement, the city will reimburse the EDC up to $280,000 for consultant fees and an additional $20,000 for the nonprofit’s administrative expenses.
The deal is supposed to include an evaluation of
Office space needs for departments currently in City Hall, the Oak Cliff Municipal Center, and other major city facilities A review of available lease and purchase options citywide, with a list of potential sites for a new government center An analysis of alternative uses for non-traditional spaces in City Hall, such as the data center, call center, emergency operations center, and City Council chambers A cost comparison of leasing, buying or building new space versus repairing City Hall
The EDC is also supposed to retain outside experts to review estimates on City Hall’s repair needs and costs.
“The materials to be presented to the finance committee must be reviewed and approved by the city manager prior to the committee presentation,” the agreement said.
An exterior view of Dallas City Hall, November 3, 2025. Dallas City Council members Cara Mendelsohn and Paul Ridley held a community meeting to hear residents’ thoughts on the future of City Hall in Dallas, Residents and civic leaders gathered in the auditorium to show their support for the iconic structure and its much needed renovations.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
City officials separately plan to conduct a market study on the highest and best uses for the current City Hall site, including the economic impact of redevelopment versus maintaining the existing structure.
Council member Paul Ridley, who represents parts of downtown and has been a vocal critic of the City Council looking at alternative options before getting a more complete assessment of the condition of City Hall, urged the corporation to include an expert in waterproofing, noting that one of the largest estimates is up to $145 million in structural repairs for its two-level underground parking garage. Repairs could include rebuilding a large portion of City Hall plaza’s fountain and courtyard, which sit atop the parking garage, which is prone to water leaks.
McMahon said the corporation would be open to bringing in additional experts to ensure its review is thorough.
The Dallas Economic Development Corporation is a nonprofit created in 2022 to drive economic growth, particularly in underdeveloped areas of the city. The Tuesday vote marks the latest step in a contentious debate over City Hall’s future.
Supporters of the City Council’s Nov. 12 resolution argue that the city needs full data before deciding whether to repair, relocate or redevelop the site. Speculation of what that redevelopment could be includes a new arena for the Dallas Mavericks, although the NBA franchise hasn’t publicly declared any interest in moving to the City Hall site.
Opponents, including Ridley, fear that the process is being rushed, lacks transparency, and could lead to demolition without proper public input.
No decision has been made yet on whether the city should save, sell or scrap the City Hall building. The city’s Landmark Commission in March initiated a two-year study to consider designating City Hall as a historic landmark, which would temporarily block demolition. But final approval would rest with the City Council.