City Hall Roundup: Convention Center Tweaks, Proposed South Dallas Tower Stalls
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Hopefully everyone is warming up from the bitter overnight freeze and enjoying the long holiday weekend. Dallas City Hall will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, if anyone was planning on swinging by.
Instead, many officials will be at the annual MLK Day Parade in South Dallas, which will kick off at 10:30 a.m. Check out the website for more details.
As for city business this past week, we’ve got some highlights for you:
KBHCC Project Chugs Along, Might Cost Less
Staff have released an update on the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center redevelopment that the Dallas City Council will be briefed on this coming Wednesday.
Apparently, construction estimates have been revised down some from a range of $3.3-3.5 billion to $3.1-3.3 billion. New design elements are also being introduced, including 20,000 square feet of space for retail and six new meeting rooms. Ballroom plans, however, will be consolidated from 20 subdivisions to only six.
Preparations for the redevelopment are continuing apace, with staff noting that most of the pre-enabling work for Component 1 (the convention center expansion) has been completed, and truck ramps, site fencing, and road closure items are in progress.
The main structural work on Component 1 will begin next year, with a ribbon cutting anticipated as soon as 2029.
TxDOT Rejects City’s Exemption Request for Rainbow Crosswalks
The Texas Department of Transportation has rejected the city’s request for an exception to the state agency’s new rules banning non-standard markings on public roads.
City Manager Kimberly Tolbert said in a Friday memo that staff will be working with the city attorney’s office on a response ahead of a Jan. 31 deadline to deliver an action plan to bring Dallas into compliance.
Back in October, Gov. Greg Abbott directed TxDOT to implement the ban under pain of withholding of state or federal funding and/or the suspension of agreements with TxDOT. Critics of the ban claim it’s geared toward suppressing LGBTQ-inclusive civic expressions, like the rainbow crosswalks in Oak Lawn.
“Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways,” Abbott said last year, claiming non-standard markings pose a distracting danger to motorists.
Winners Tower Zoning Request Gets Cool Reception, Vote Postponed
On Wednesday, the city council opted to delay a vote on a zoning request for a $250 million project in South Dallas.
Raphael Adebayo, pastor of Winners Assembly Christian Church, wants to build a 25-story mixed-use tower with residential, hospitality, and retail space on the north corner of Colonial Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The zoning request did not receive support at the horseshoe this go-around because of the proposed height, but council members were not ready to reject the project.
“We just need to make sure that it’s something that is going to be compatible to the area plan that was just passed, in addition to having buy-in from the community and stakeholders,” said Council Member Adam Bazaldua (District 7).
He said he would work with the developer and the community over the next couple of months to “bring a better product to the council in March.”
South Dallas officials and stakeholders have been clamoring for revitalization in the area, but the Winners Tower project has gotten a cool reception from some, including the City Plan Commission, which unanimously chose to decline recommending the zoning request last October over the requested height and lack of affordable units. Commissioners described it as gentrification and out of step with the area’s historic character.
Adebayo previously said he would be willing to bring the height down to 15 stories.
City Hall Assessment Due
A report by the Dallas Economic Development Corporation on City Hall repair estimates and possible relocation costs is due on Monday.
Some of those who want to save 1500 Marilla St. have claimed the fix is in and officials want to offload the historic I.M. Pei structure to make way for a sports arena or other revitalizing project, suggesting the city’s figures will support a move.
I guess we’ll see what the report says when it becomes public. Council members on the Finance Committee will discuss the findings early next month. In the meantime, architects and preservationists are hosting a public discussion on the fate of City Hall on Thursday evening, Jan. 22, at J. Erik Jonsson Central Library. Be sure to check it out.
Lunch and Learn About D7 Improvement Grant
Small businesses located in District 7 have a new grant program to draw from to make exterior improvements. Eligible projects include permanent façade upgrades, hardscape and streetscape improvements, ADA improvements, public art installations, and building envelope or energy-efficiency enhancements. Routine maintenance and repairs are not eligible.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, anyone interested in finding out more about how to get a grant can attend a Lunch & Learn event at noon at the Vista Bank at 3225 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
