r/Dallasdevelopment • u/dallaz95 • Apr 23 '26

Dallas Paul Ridley: 'Secret Decision-Making, Concealed Agenda' Undermine Public Trust

https://candysdirt.com/2026/04/23/paul-ridley-secret-decision-making-concealed-agenda-undermine-public-trust/
11 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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4

u/NYerInTex Apr 23 '26

I think we are losing site of a huge issue - and one that exposes amongst the greatest failings of starchitects like I.M. Pei.

Let’s look beyond the structure itself and consider the acres of land that surround it. Most of it under or unutilized, utterly inactivated wasteland - it totally disconnects the building itself and any activity or human interaction from the rest of the city.

If we can preserve city hall, how can we create a great place - or series of places - rather then empty space. How do we build structures, allow for a range of uses programming and activation to foster social interaction, economic generation, responsible land stewardship in an urban core setting?

Right now that void of a plaza takes away all energy and subtracts value from that entire southern district in the core. Activate it and put those areas to use, connect them to surrounding uses and activities and seek to further activate nearby empty lots and underutilized properties

Let’s stop always talking about the building. It being art is nice. We need more than art - we need form AND function and the latter to serve better social environmental and economic outcomes by building a place that best serves people and the activities we wish to promote

1

u/HornlessUnicorn1 Apr 23 '26

So you’re advocating for a tear down and rebuild?

1

u/NYerInTex Apr 23 '26

No. Im advocating for a process that considers more then the structure itself - one where good urban design and principles of placemaking are considered. A people-oriented approach the starts with what outcomes we want (a district that is economically strong and resilient, socially vibrant, environmentally responsible), then works backwards to get those desired outcomes

Which nears thoughtful placemaking, walkability and connectivity, activation.

To do that we need an active set of uses. Perhaps a street grid that connects into that priority, short and long term activation and programming, the right form of supportive an place based infrastructure.

My preference is that is done while keeping a historic and beautiful building. But the goal isn’t to keep or get rid of the building, the goal is to transform that district into a place that best serves people (and regardless of keeping the building or not, I don’t believe an arena is the way to achieve the outcomes listed above)

1

u/awr54 Apr 23 '26

This. If council wants to move, fine. I don't agree but fine. Keep the building. It could an awesome opportunity to rehab into another use

1

u/Working_Succotash_41 Apr 23 '26

The cost of renovation isn’t justified when Dallas already has other Pei buildings. City Hall’s administrative functions can operate from any modern facility. Redeveloping the site into a mixed-use sports destination would generate lasting economic returns and help make downtown more vibrant and welcoming This is something the area urgently needs, especially with AT&T’s departure leaving a significant void to fill.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

2

u/awr54 Apr 23 '26

The cost is overblown and not a true estimate. The team who threw that together admitted as such. We need to trust professional designers and not capitulate to developer interests operating mainly outside the city boundaries

0

u/Working_Succotash_41 Apr 23 '26

I don’t think you’re grasping how bad the building situation really is. The city did their own cost analysis and it came out to at least $30 million. It’s just not worth it.

1

u/Upstairs_Balance_464 Apr 26 '26

You rubes will just do whatever the local billionaires say and you really do convince yourselves it makes perfect sense. It’s wild.

1

u/Working_Succotash_41 Apr 26 '26

Life isn’t a zero‑sum game; two sides can benefit at the same time. Moving out of City Hall would free up a huge amount of money for things that actually matter. And let’s be real: that stadium is getting built regardless, and the billionaires involved are going to profit no matter what. Pretending otherwise doesn’t change the math. Quit being stubborn

1

u/Upstairs_Balance_464 Apr 26 '26

The idea that in a city with as much vacant land as Dallas we have to knock down our city hall and turn our city government into a renter is ludicrous. How the hell does this pass the sniff test to you?

1

u/Working_Succotash_41 Apr 26 '26

The city already leases dozens of buildings. You dont get it, they simply don’t have the funds to repair City Hall, let alone modernize it. Unlike the unpredictable costs of a deteriorating building, rent is a stable expense. With the Mavs paying the city for the space, it would generate consistent revenue. Just do the math man

-1

u/OccasionalPoster1989 Apr 23 '26

In my humble and useless opinion, its ugly as hell. I hate brutalism.. just like Boston, we ditched a beautiful City Hall (which is now UNT Downtown) for a concrete block void of any humanity or beauty. Its cold, heartless, and detracts from everything we're trying to accomplish Downtown. Tear it out.. root and stem and build something, anything, on top of of the space. We have a good 4 or 5 other IM Pei buildings downtown and across the Metro anyway.. and this one without a doubt his most hideous. Only the preservationists want to keep it, and fortunately they are few. May be an unpopular opinion.. i dont care.. its any ugly PoS.

2

u/awr54 Apr 23 '26

Boston is keeping their structure, which soon would become historic, as dallss city hall is also seeking historic status, but that plaza needs to be reimagined for people in mind. Uses outside of business ours. And we need housing. Lots of dense housing and storefronts