City Hall Preservation Push
Dallas Coalition Seeks City Hall Referendum to Prevent Relocation of Municipal Operations
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Key Points
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The coalition said it planned to file its notice of intent on Oct. 2 and would have 60 days after starting the petition drive to gather 20,000 signatures, according to WFAA.
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Laura Miller cited a coalition poll of 1,381 registered municipal voters, saying 84% of respondents wanted to save the building.
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Liane Pei, daughter of architect I.M. Pei, defended the building, saying: “My father designed Dallas City Hall to last. It has good bones that will defy the ravages of intentional neglect, poor stewardship, and the failures of civic leadership.”
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Current City Council members Adam Bazaldua, Paula Blackmon, Cara Mendelsohn and Paul Ridley were among those at the coalition’s press conference supporting the effort.
A coalition of Dallas civic leaders and preservationists launched a petition drive to save the city's iconic I.M. Pei–designed City Hall on October 2. The effort seeks a charter amendment that would keep municipal operations in the building unless voters approve a change. Dallas News reported the coalition needs 20,000 signatures within 60 days to place the measure on the May 2027 ballot.
The push to preserve City Hall comes as a City Council majority has backed exploring relocation, citing repair and modernization costs ranging from $611 million to over $1 billion. Supporters, including former Mayor Laura Miller and architect I.M. Pei's daughter Liane Pei, argue the building deserves preservation and that residents should decide its fate through a vote.
Voters Show Strong Support in Coalition Poll
WFAA reported that a coalition survey of 1,381 registered municipal voters found 84% wanted to save City Hall. Former Mayor Laura Miller cited this polling data at a press conference launching the signature drive. The strong support suggests many Dallas residents oppose plans to relocate city operations.
Liane Pei Defends Her Father's Architectural Legacy
Liane Pei, daughter of the legendary architect who designed Dallas City Hall in the late 1960s, led the charge to preserve the building. She said: "My father designed Dallas City Hall to last. It has good bones that will defy the ravages of intentional neglect, poor stewardship, and the failures of civic leadership." NBC Fort Worth reported Pei was leading the petition effort.
Current Council Members Join Historic Preservation Fight
City Council members Adam Bazaldua, Paula Blackmon, Cara Mendelsohn, and Paul Ridley appeared at the coalition's press conference to support the referendum effort. CBS News noted that the Save Dallas CityHall movement has assembled support from architects, civic leaders, and philanthropists. The diverse coalition reflects growing concern about demolishing a building that has been central to Dallas governance for decades.
Repair Costs Push City Leaders Toward Relocation
The petition campaign directly challenges the City Council majority's preference to explore moving operations elsewhere. Estimates to repair and modernize the aging structure range from roughly $611 million to more than $1 billion. Fox 4 News reported the May 2027 ballot would let Dallas voters decide whether to keep City Hall at its historic location or authorize a move.
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