DALLAS - A coalition fighting to keep Dallas City Hall at its longtime downtown home is launching a petition drive that could put the building's future before voters in May 2027.
The Save Dallas City Hall Coalition announced Thursday that it plans to file formal paperwork with the city secretary Oct. 2, beginning a 60-day effort to collect 20,000 in-person signatures from registered Dallas voters. If organizers collect enough valid signatures, the proposed City Charter amendment would require Dallas City Hall to remain the seat of city government unless voters approve a change.
The campaign is the latest development in a nearly yearlong debate over the future of the I.M. Pei-designed building at 1500 Marilla Street, which opened in 1978.
The Dallas City Council directed City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert in March to explore alternatives for the aging building. City records show the council instructed staff to study relocating 311, 911 and emergency operations, potential locations for other City Hall employees and possible disposition or redevelopment of the site. The city also ordered development of repair plans and long-term funding strategies comparing the costs of staying with the costs of relocating.
Supporters of keeping City Hall gathered outside the building Thursday, including former Mayor Laura Miller, Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia, several City Council members and Liane Pei, daughter of architect I.M. Pei.
FOX 4 reported the coalition says its polling of registered Dallas voters found 84% favored keeping the building. The station sought comment from the city and Mayor Eric Johnson but had not received a response at the time its story was published.
The city previously sought public input on potential adaptive reuse of City Hall and redevelopment of surrounding property, including land expected to become available through the redevelopment of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
The petition itself would not stop the city from taking action on City Hall before a potential May election.
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