Paul Ridley: ‘Secret Decision-Making, Concealed Agenda’ Undermine Public Trust
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By Paul Ridley
Architect and Dallas City Council Member
Much has been written about the controversy over the future of Dallas’ landmark City Hall. Purpose-built specifically for Dallas city government, it was designed as a symbol of openness and forward-looking governance during a time of national scrutiny following the JFK assassination.
The building’s significance is personal to me as an architect and preservationist. Others may not appreciate the architecture as I do, but its architectural value is only one aspect of the controversy. It serves as a very visible “People’s House,” where residents can petition their local government and convene public events and assemblies. But there is a deeper issue than functionality: the lack of transparent decision-making about its future.
Serious questions have emerged about the transparency and accelerated speed of this process. Although suspected for some time, we have only recently seen confirmation that the narrative of an unsalvageable building due to deferred maintenance is false. It is now apparent that this narrative was a subterfuge to justify a decision made more than a year ago by the city manager to abandon the building and offer the site to the Mavericks. This lack of transparency, secret decision-making, and concealed agenda has undermined public confidence in city government.
We have been told it will cost nearly $1 billion over 20 years to remain at City Hall, yet only a fraction of that amount is for needed repairs. We still have not been provided an objective, apples-to-apples comparison of true repair costs versus the full cost of relocating to aging commercial office buildings, which would require substantial modification to approach the facilities already available at City Hall — while also committing the city to decades of rent.
We can continue to go back and forth about the accuracy of the numbers, but they distract from the real question: Should the City of Dallas give up its City Hall at the whim of sports franchise owner?
I am completely opposed to giving up the People’s House for a new arena, which can be accommodated elsewhere in the city without sacrificing City Hall. Relinquishing our publicly owned City Hall would scatter city functions into corporate-owned office towers and move critical services to less-than-ideal locations, simply to cater to the pressures of developers. This sets a bad precedent for the use of public assets and whom they ultimately serve. It also establishes a troubling precedent for how privileged financial interests can override the democratic political process for their own self-interest at the expense of taxpayers.
If the city manager had begun this discussion with a clear and transparent policy debate about what role, if any, a sports franchise should play in the future of downtown Dallas, we could have had a more honest and productive conversation. Instead, the discussion was diverted to the condition of City Hall, while tours of relocation options were quietly arranged for select members of the City Council.
City Hall does require investment and maintenance, as does any 50-year-old building, but its condition should be evaluated on its own merits — not as a predetermined justification for an arena. I offered the option of a phased repair master plan, an approach successfully used to preserve and renovate Boston City Hall without closing it, yet this reasonable option was voted down.
This moment is about more than architecture. It is about preserving the principles of transparent government — the foundation of our democracy — and ensuring a decision-making process in which residents can place their faith and trust. To date, that has not occurred. Yet it is not too late to correct course and restore confidence in local government, if the political will exists.
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Agee 100%!
Thank you Paul for telling the truth!
Thank you Paul!
Great job Council member Ridley!!! Thank you for your wise words!!!
SAVE CITY HALL!!!
Well said, sir!
Not sure why this is even a conversation. City Hall is not for sale. Period. In fact, after the next straw poll the recall petitions start to circulate. Let’s Go.
1000%
Thoughtful. Right.
I wish you were my Council member
Thanks Paul for your clear and concise summary that cuts through lots of misinformation and “fog”
The truth is always refreshing.Thank you.
Absolutely agree.
Thank you, Paul! Amen Amen Amen. Shame on your colleagues who are willing to give the people’s house to the Mavericks. It’s unconscionable that someone like Chad West thinks he can run for mayor after his inexcusable behavior.
Our public buildings should always be hands off to developers. They belong to the citizens, and are not for sale.
Thank you for stating truths CM Ridley.
Our City Hall is not for sale. Thank you for your service!
Paul, you continue to be the smartest and most honest member of the council. Although I’m now in New Mexico, I’m very glad you’re still the person to take care of my old neighborhood. Keep up the good work and if you’re ever in my neck of the woods by all means call!
Thank you Paul!
This concise, truthful summary of events over the last year is a trustworthy and refreshing article – one of a very few that’s been published to date.
Every Dallas citizen and resident should receive and read this!
Process and transparency were violated. It is also a willful squandering of whatever trust remains among constituents that their will is represented at the council.
At a recent community meeting, Kathy Stewart kept repeating that she is willing to engage in more discussion, but that it had to be “factual”. And yet she voted down your proposal for the extention and the repair master plan. People’s actions are speaking loudly.
Hmmm that’s exactly what Jaynie Schultz said at that earth-shattering, watershed meeting about Pepper Square: sit down and shut up unless you have the “facts”. Whose facts? You saw what happened to former CM Schultz with the threat of a recall… CMs work for the taxpayers. Period.
Thank you Paul. Thank you for writing this concise summary . I am glad you are my councilperson. Roger carroll
Thank you. City Hall must stand. It’s iconic!
Thank you Paul!
This concise, truthful summary of events over the last year is so important for the public to know. Such trustworthy articles are rarely available in the media and other outlets. Well Done!
Every Dallas citizen and resident should be provided with and read this article!
Thank you. Well said.
10o% in agreement keep the city hall civic responsibility should always be more important than sports, commerce, and obfuscation!
gt
Finally, some fresh air about the issues surrounding Dallas City Hall. Thanks for your clear and concise evaluation regarding the future of City Hall and the need for transparency and accountability.
Paul Ridley and Cara Mendelsohn always do their homework. And always listen to residents of the city. This whole process smells of corruption. I hope Robert Wilonsky and other reporters keep digging.