Rudy Karimi: They Want to Tear Down City Hall. Why Isn’t My Generation Paying Attention?
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By Rudy Karimi
CandysDirt.com Contributor
There are countless forgettable moments when the conversation inside Dallas City Hall and the conversation happening in the community are completely out of sync. This is not one of those moments. This is one of the most pivotal moments in a very long time.
Right now, there are very serious discussions about the future of our Dallas City Hall. Yes, that love-it-or-hate-it building designed by I.M. Pei and even featured in the 1987 film RoboCop. And I mean very serious discussions, including the possibility of selling it, tearing it down, and redeveloping the site.
And yet, once again, most people in Dallas have no idea this is even on the table. How does that keep happening?
We’re not talking about some underutilized public asset tucked away in a forgotten corner of the city. We’re talking about the most recognizable civic building we have — a place that represents how Dallas governs itself and a structure that has stood for decades as a symbol of public service and civic identity. And yes, RoboCop.
And we’re casually entertaining the idea of walking away from it like it’s a cheap piece of furniture we can drag to the curb on bulk trash day.
Before we even get into whether that’s a good idea, there’s a more immediate problem: not enough people are paying attention. Again.
The argument being floated is familiar: this thing has issues, everybody hates it, and we’re going to put the fear of God into you if you don’t replace it with something else, quickly. That ridiculous framing skips the most important question: what if we simply took a deep breath and did the responsible thing instead?
There is a difference between being forward-thinking and being short-sighted. Tearing down the City Hall may sound bold and innovative to some, but bold and innovative doesn’t always mean it’s smart. And in this case, it certainly doesn’t mean fiscally responsible. Because here’s the reality: replacing a building like this, one we already own outright, is not cheap. Relocating core city functions is not simple.
And once you give up an asset like City Hall, you don’t get it back.
This is not a “fail fast” decision with a clean rollback plan. It’s permanent, and it’s stupid. Taking care of what we already have is always the most responsible path, financially and as a matter of stewardship.
And I’ll say this directly to my own generation — Millennials, and those younger than me: If you’re reading this, step up now. This is your moment to get involved, speak out, and help shape Dallas’ future. We talk a lot about wanting walkable neighborhoods, better parks and libraries, stronger communities, affordable housing, and more accountability from local government. But those things don’t just happen. You need to live a municipally informed and engaged life to make those things happen.
It’s time for us to act. Carry the torch. Join the conversation. Demand a say in decisions that define Dallas.
I am calling out the 40-somethings and younger just like me. We can’t sit through these conversations and expect positive outcomes later. If we’re going to inherit the future of Dallas, we also need to show up. We need to speak out. Our actions now will shape the decisions that define Dallas.
Because today it’s City Hall. Next time, it will be something else just as important, barreling forward without the level of public awareness our generation deserves.
Dallas deserves better, and so do we.
Rudy Karimi is a member of the Dallas Park and Recreation board for District 14.
14 Comments
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These are very good points. Thanks Rudy and keep spreading them.
LFG! I’m retweeting this again today. Thanks Rudy!
Certainly concur, but I think the answer to your question is simple: most people don’t ever engage with City Hall, at least not physically. People care about roads, crime, parks, amenities. Most of them couldn’t care less about where the government does business, so long as those things are accounted for.
I think you astutely connect that apathy to a decline in quality of other government services, but most people don’t put two and two together.
Somewhat true George, but I tend to think the majority of people are aware of our City Hall becuase they have run marathons that began or ended there, they have protested on the plaza or they have enjoyed lunch there when they used to put out tables and chairs which I’ve no idea why that concept stopped. Almost every citizen in every city knows they have an important publicly owned building that they CAN go to should they choose.It is that ONE place we can speak to our representatives and where our voices are meant to be heard and listened to. Not to mention it’s an iconic, architecturally and historically significant building. No other major American city has destroyed a public city hall and moved to a rental. It’s absurd. AND it dooms every generation after us to pay RENT.
Excellent comments Mr Karimi. City Hall is the seat of our government. The only thing that needs to be moved are the persons advocating demolition.
Thanks for reminding Dallasites of this imminent threat to our iconic City Hall. (I love it, by the way!) Fine with me if our developer devoted City Manager moves to the South Pole. How cool would that be?!
All good points. But I have to ask what is the best way to engage? if it’s expected that people are supposed to drive down to City Hall and sit in a scheduled meeting that’s asking a lot of people these days. If it were possible to participate via video conference or independent polls or something that didn’t rely so much on physical attendance, perhaps there would be some more provable interest.
Hi Pierce. It’s always been possible to participate via video link. I agree it is asking a lot for anyone to take what amounts to two days off because the city council always has so many items on the agenda they often run to midnight. I have sat in meetings for 10 hours before and no I don’t get paid to sit in meetings but when things are important to me I feel it is absolutely necessary. They also only give you 3 minutes to speak. It’s an absurd way to take care of city business. Never rely on polls. The city has one out, the mavs have one out and they are HIGHLY biased. Council meetings are streamed and you have to sign up in advance to be recognized in person or via video link. Here is the sign up : https://personalfinance.dallascityhall.com/speakers.aspx. Here is how you watch online: https://dallascityhall.com/government/citysecretary/Pages/Public-Meetings.aspx
The city secretary is very helpful if you have questions.
Karen, I think you’re overestimating the number of people who’ve done any of that. Which does not diminish the importance of the site, but it’d explain the relative shrugging (or even just lack of awareness) from the average Dallasite. It’s why I’m a big fan of the proposals that not only improve the building but also activate the surrounding area. It could be a veritable buzzing public square every weekend if there were more development around it (and if the plaza itself were not a large-scale griddle during the summer). I’m envisioning more greenery and trees, food trucks along Young Street or Akard, people playing music, kids running around. Maybe a pipe dream, but definitely a pipe dream if we either maintain the status quo or demo the building for a casino and arena.
Hmm. I don’t. You should have come to the AD/EX panel this week where UTA students did just that. They have an absolutely amazing plan. Will the city listen? No.
Three comments I heard last month during a meeting when it was suggested Dallas City Hall be a topic for the next neighborhood meeting.
1. What’s going on with Dallas City Hall?
2. No, it’s been talked about too much.
3. We need fun and light topics.
Disappointed.
They evidently really don’t understand what is really going on and how the outcome could affect them, and their kids and grandkids and on and on. It’s like putting their heads in the sand. Disappointing may be to mild a word. Tragic is more like it.
I think Dallas residents care, maybe the younger care even more so than the older leaders, developers, and investors who perpetuate the idea that the next big shiny object will save the city or that progress matters more than protecting our history.
That said, the City Hall debate can feel like an immense distraction from everything politically, economically, and socially happening in our country (and most definitely in Texas and Dallas). Replacing City Hall with an arena sounds like the most Dallas thing ever. I don’t think that means residents don’t care.
I agree CX. My own son is 29 and cares deeply that this building remain our City Hall. He, like his peers, work and are not able to sit all day in council meetings so their voices, ostensibly the most important ones, are seldom heard.