TEXAS — Dallas city leaders and downtown advocates are expressing growing concern over what some are calling an “exodus” from the city’s urban core as several high-profile organizations and institutions plan to move away.
The concern comes as the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars have both announced plans to relocate their future home venues outside the city’s downtown area. The developments follow announcements that Saks Global will close the century-old flagship Neiman Marcus store downtown and that AT&T plans to move its headquarters to Plano.
The Mavericks recently announced they are exploring a move to far North Dallas, while the Stars have confirmed plans to relocate to Plano.
The departures have fueled broader discussions about the future of downtown Dallas and the city’s aging infrastructure, including Dallas City Hall.
“Do we want to continue resisting the change and evolution that’s happening?” Dallas City Council member Zarin D. Gracey said.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson pointed to competition from suburban cities north of Dallas.
“The wolf is not in this room,” Johnson said in a June city council meeting. “The wolf is up the tollway.”
The debate intensified after a recent city study reaffirmed it would cost more than $1 billion to remain in the current City Hall building, which is in need of repairs. Renowned architect I.M. Pei designed the building.
“How much does it cost to fix City Hall? Can we afford it?” Gracey said. “And if we can’t, what are our other options? And the Mavs is the perfect solution.”
At a June press conference attended by city council members, state officials and local advocates, speakers urged the Mavericks to reconsider leaving downtown and called for city leaders to prioritize investment in the urban core.
“We love you, Mavericks. And just know I’m standing outside your window right now,” said Harrison Blair of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce.
Advocates also urged the city to consider moving out of City Hall and redirecting resources toward revitalizing downtown and investing in South Dallas communities.
Not everyone agrees on the path forward. Some residents have voiced support for preserving City Hall.
“Where we treat people as disposable, art as temporary and preservation as an afterthought,” one speaker said during public comments.
Another added, “Don’t Valley View my city hall.”
Others argue the focus should remain on reversing downtown’s economic challenges.
“Downtown’s rarely die from a single blow. They fade when vision is replaced by complacency,” said Sana Syed, president of the Dallas Farmers Market Stakeholders Association and a downtown resident.
Syed said city leaders, businesses and residents must work together to stabilize the area.
“We’re bleeding right now, in downtown Dallas, so what is the solution? That solution is that we have to come together and save downtown,” she said.
While the Mavericks and Stars have both publicly confirmed plans to relocate, advocates say the process is not yet complete.
“Right now, Dallas is evolving, and we’re at a decision point,” Gracey said.
Supporters of keeping major attractions and investment downtown say they intend to continue lobbying city leaders and team owners until final agreements are signed.
Mayor Johnson has called a special Dallas City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 10 at 10 a.m. to discuss the future of City Hall.