Who’s Testing Dallas Voters on Hotel Taxes for a New Mavericks Arena?
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It’s been quiet at 1500 Marilla St. in recent weeks, at least on the surface. But behind the scenes the conversation appears to be percolating — focused less on whether a new Dallas Mavericks arena should be built and more on where it would go and how it would be funded.
That shift comes as the future of City Hall itself remains unresolved. Save City Hall advocates continue to push back, arguing the I.M. Pei-designed building can be restored for less than $1 billion (more on that this weekend). Meanwhile, an open call for concepts and competing visions for what should befall the site are being submitted ahead of an early May deadline.
Here’s an impromptu Friday edition of the City Hall Roundup for stories you might’ve missed about the looming fate of Dallas City Hall:
Pollster Asking Residents Whether City Should Help Fund New Sports Arena
It appears someone has commissioned a market research firm to gauge public sentiment on where the Mavericks should build a new arena and whether taxpayers should help fund it. Notably, the survey does not appear to ask whether the city should pursue a new arena at all.
A Dallas Mavericks spokesperson told WFAA the team did not commission the survey. The organization has conducted its own fan research in recent months, including an invite-only online survey, according to KDFW. The franchise is expected to decide on a site by early July.
Clear Insights Group, the firm conducting the poll, has been texting Dallas-area residents a survey with more than two dozen questions about city and county officials, the Mavericks and the Stars, and crime near the American Airlines Center and City Hall, among other related topics, WFAA reported.
Respondents were asked which of the following four locations they would prefer:
- Dallas City Hall
- Former Valley View Mall site
- American Airlines Center
- An unidentified site outside of Dallas proper but in Dallas County
The survey asked whether respondents would support a hypothetical measure to fund the arena through tax revenue.
“If an election were held today for the planning, construction and financing of a multi-purpose arena for professional and amateur sports including professional basketball, concerts and other civic, charitable or community events, and to impose a hotel/motel tax of 2% and a car rental tax of 5%, would you vote yes, in favor or no, against such a proposition.”
Follow-up questions tested arguments in favor of the hypothetical proposal. Respondents were asked whether the following statements would make them more amenable:
- “Because the Dallas Mavericks would contribute several hundred million dollars to the construction of the arena, this measure is part of a well-planned, public-private partnership.”
- “The new arena project will build new on-ramps and off-ramps for easier access for fans arriving to and then leaving games and events.”
- “The new arena would be a multi-purpose facility that would help finance students’ education with scholarships from events such as science fairs held at the arena.”
- “The current American Airlines Center is outdated, and cannot accommodate the needs of today’s NBA teams and live concerts. This measure will provide much needed improvements.”
- “Hundreds of construction jobs would be created to build the new arena, and these workers will spend money in local stores and restaurants.”
- “Through hotel and rental car tax revenues, out-of-towners would help pay for the new arena.”
- “This measure would mean the average increase people would pay for a hotel stay is about 2 to 3 dollars per night, but residents who stay at local hotels are exempt upon proof of residency.”
Oh boy. If not the Mavericks, who is testing the waters? A private stakeholder? A public entity? Someone with a vested interest in the politics surrounding it?
UTA Architecture Students Have a Masterplan for Downtown, City Hall
The city currently has an open call for concepts and ideas for potential adaptive reuse of 1500 Marilla St. as well as redevelopment opportunities for the broader City Hall site and adjacent acreage. Pitches can be submitted online through May 3.
The Mavericks are expected to submit their plan for a 50-acre entertainment district anchored by a new arena, including a four-star hotel, auxiliary facilities, the team’s corporate offices, retail and dining, and possibly a separate Live Nation venue. Of course, this plan would likely require demolition of the I.M. Pei-designed structure that’s been at the center of several months of speculation, outrage, and confusion. Many hate the idea of trading out a historic landmark and the current seat of local government for a sports arena. A good many of those opposed are unsurprisingly architects.
Some students at UT Arlington’s College of Architecture, Planning & Public Affairs have a best of both worlds vision they recently presented at the Dallas Architecture Forum. Rather than an either-or proposition, they propose preserving City Hall and making room for a new Mavericks arena between Dallas Memorial Auditorium and the new Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center nearby.
Their plan organizes downtown’s southern sector into three interconnected districts — entertainment, civic/cultural, and residential/educational — designed to create a more cohesive and active urban core in line with the 15-minute city philosophy.
“This whole design kind of centers on this green loop idea where it’s a public pedestrian walking zone that ties everything together,” said fourth-year architecture student Michelle Estrada, according to a UTA news release. “The biggest thing we wanted to keep in mind was creating a people-centered design.”
Save City Hall Sentiment Is Strong in District 3
Council Member Zarin Gracey (District 3) has not aligned himself with the Save City Hall camp, but it appears many of his constituents are against scrapping the decades-old Brutalist edifice where he offices.
Earlier this month, Gracey held a community meeting to hear residents’ perspectives on what should become of 1500 Marilla St. “Residents shared thoughtful perspectives about renovation, long-term costs, accessibility of services, and responsible stewardship of one of Dallas’ most recognizable civic buildings,” reads the council member’s district newsletter.
A survey conducted ahead of the meeting found that 85% of 94 respondents favored keeping City Hall. Some 9% said officials should relocate, and 6% said they were indifferent.
Citywide polling on the issue is ongoing, with ZenCity commissioned by the city to conduct a statistically valid public survey to collect input on priorities for City Hall.
