The Dallas City Council has voted to pause plans to renovate City Hall, instead opting to explore options for selling or transferring the 15-acre site. The decision was made in a 9-6 vote late Wednesday, with City Councilman Chad West moving to pause any vote to renovate the building.

Background

The council’s vote directed the city manager to present options for the sale or transfer of the landmark building. Proponents of demolishing City Hall claim that moving into another building will be less expensive than renovating the current one. According to Dallas’ Chief Financial Officer Jack Ireland, the savings could be in the hundreds of millions, although the exact amount is not yet known.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson stated that relocation will be a more prudent use of taxpayer dollars and a better long-term solution for the city’s government, employees, and residents. However, Councilman Adam Bazaldua argued that the so-called savings involve many variables, such as finding tenants to rent a spot in the city’s new high-rise home.

Next Steps

The city manager is expected to bring the requested options to the council no later than August 26. While Wednesday’s vote revealed a political will to demolish City Hall, some council members believe the final vote will require a 2/3rd majority, which would be one vote short of the 9-6 vote.

Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.