Save Dallas City Hall Coalition Seeks ‘Demolition-by-Neglect’ Investigation
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The Save Dallas City Hall Coalition has asked the city to initiate a “demolition-by-neglect” investigation for 1500 Marilla St., arguing officials have a legal obligation to protect the historic building from deterioration while it remains under consideration for landmark designation.
In a Wednesday letter to Historic Preservation Officer Marcus Watson and other officials, attorneys for the coalition invoked a provision of the Dallas Development Code allowing interested parties to request such an investigation.
Save Dallas City Hall Coalition president Bruce Richardson said the code requires the historic preservation officer to inspect the identified deficiencies at the property and report to the Landmark Commission on the building’s condition and possible sources of funding to implement repairs.
“The City of Dallas cannot be allowed to bypass its own laws by letting a historic landmark fall into disrepair through intentional neglect,” Richardson said, according to a press release.
Back in May, the coalition issued the city a 60-day notice of claim stating it was “prepared to seek declaratory and injunctive relief to compel the City to perform necessary repairs” at City Hall, claiming officials were violating city rules requiring the maintenance of properties under landmark consideration. The Landmark Commission voted unanimously to initiate the historic-designation process for 1500 Marilla St. in March of 2025.
The same part of the development code cited in the May notice outlines procedures for how to prevent the “demolition-by-neglect” of a property under landmark consideration. Requesting an investigation by the historic preservation officer is the first step. The code states that the officer “shall meet with the property owner… to inspect the structure and discuss the resources available for financing any necessary repairs.”
A subsequent report to the Landmark Commission is supposed to detail “the condition of the structure, the repairs needed to maintain and stabilize the structure, any resources available for financing the repairs, and the amount of time needed to complete the repairs.” The Landmark Commission may then vote on whether the situation is a case of “demolition-by-neglect,” possibly requiring corrective action that, if not completed, could be referred to the Code Compliance Department or City Attorney’s Office for enforcement.
Such a scenario would essentially put the city at odds with itself, but the controversial Proposition S charter amendment adopted in 2024 stripped the city of its sovereign immunity, granting residents standing to sue the city if it doesn’t comply with its own ordinances or state law.
As evidence supporting its request for an investigation, the coalition cited issues previously acknowledged by the city, including roof leaks, interior water infiltration, a failed interior gutter system, drainage problems, water intrusion above electrical infrastructure, and cracking and concrete spalling in the underground parking garage.
The coalition also maintained that any report prepared by the historic preservation officer should distinguish between “necessary repairs” and broader costs associated with modernization, temporary relocation, and financing.
Previous property condition assessments conducted by the city and its consultants yielded estimates ranging from the hundreds of millions to well over $1 billion to bring City Hall into working order. However, preservationists and other critics have argued that the scope of the assessments went well beyond necessary repairs.
Meanwhile, consultants commissioned by the state maintain that repair work would trigger mandatory code upgrades and likely reveal extensive deficiencies not gleaned in the surface-level condition assessments. They also argued that many of the building’s systems are so old that repairs would not be feasible, as in the case of the electrical system.
The Save Dallas City Hall Coalition’s attorneys have requested written confirmation within 14 days that the city has opened the “demolition-by-neglect” investigation. They also asked that architects and preservation professionals designated by the coalition be allowed to observe the inspection.
CandysDirt.com reached out to the city as well as the Save Dallas City Hall Coalition’s media contact, former city council member Scott Griggs. This article will be updated if either responds to our request for comment.
City Council members are expected to revisit the question of relocating City Hall operations from 1500 Marilla St. next month. City council (and much of the city) have been at odds over whether it’s worth spending to repair the building or leave and unlock the real estate for redevelopment. Last month, a majority voted to shelve a phased repair program for the building, anticipating more concrete relocation and redevelopment options to measure it against in August.
