Two Dallas City Council members are asking a judge to hold the city in contempt after last week’s vote on the future of City Hall, saying it violated a court order blocking action on the issue.
Council members Paula Blackmon and Adam Bazaldua filed the motion Tuesday in Dallas County District Court, targeting City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, City Secretary Bilierae Johnson and others. They argue the council’s 9-6 vote last Wednesday to reject a proposed decade-long repair plan and direct staff to explore relocation options defied a temporary restraining order issued by State District Judge Eric Moyé.
The order had blocked votes on three agenda items related to potentially moving city operations out of the nearly 50-year-old I.M. Pei-designed building in downtown Dallas. Instead of voting directly on those items, the council approved a substitute motion introduced by Council Member Chad West directing further study of City Hall’s disposition. Blackmon and Bazaldua say this effectively revived the blocked discussion and also violated the Texas Open Meetings Act because it wasn’t properly noticed on the agenda.
NEW: @AdamBazaldua & @paulablackmon file motion asking judge to issue order requiring Dallas City Mgr. & City Secretary to show cause why they shouldn’t be held in constructive contempt of court’s TRO preventing council from authorizing Mgr to pursue redevelopment of City Hall. pic.twitter.com/enyKVPWKK6
— Jack Fink (@cbs11jack) June 16, 2026
The legal fight centers on transparency and process in deciding the landmark building’s fate. Supporters of staying argue for repairs and preservation of the civic icon, while others see opportunities for redevelopment. A city spokeswoman declined comment Tuesday, citing pending litigation. West also declined to comment.
The motion does not seek to block Wednesday’s special called council meeting, where members are expected to consider spending up to $3 million to evaluate potential new locations for City Hall and emergency operations. It remains unclear when the judge will rule on the contempt request.
The dispute highlights deep divisions on the council and ongoing questions about how Dallas will handle one of its most recognizable public buildings for decades to come.
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