Several Dallas city leaders representing the southern side of the city are warning that major departures from downtown could hurt the future of Dallas’ urban core and the communities that rely on it.
Dallas City Council members Maxie Johnson, Zarin Gracey and Lorie Blair led a news conference Tuesday morning alongside community and state leaders, saying that investment in Dallas should not continue to shift north.
The warning comes after the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars and Neiman Marcus all announced plans this week to leave downtown or move away from the city core. The Mavericks are planning to build a new arena in North Dallas, while the Stars are making moves to Plano. AT&T is also planning to move its downtown headquarters to Plano.
Johnson said the moves would be a major blow to the communities that rely on downtown as an economic engine, especially in southern Dallas, and that the Mavericks have been part of downtown’s identity and economy since their inception.
“This is a union. A marriage that has been in Dallas since I’ve been alive. Knowing that our Dallas Mavericks is here in the heart of downtown. Again, it strengthens our tax base and it brings all communities together,” said Dallas City Councilmember Maxie Johnson.
Gracey said the city is at a critical moment as nearby suburbs compete for business and development.
“Right now, Dallas is evolving and we’re at a decision point. Do we want to continue resisting the change and the evolution that’s happening? Meanwhile, cities like Plano and all of these other suburban towns are killing us. Because they’re open for business,” said Dallas City Councilmember Zarin Gracey.
Johnson said city leaders do not know how much time they have to persuade organizations like the Mavericks to stay in Dallas.
At the same time, city leaders are weighing whether to spend half a billion dollars on phased repairs to Dallas City Hall or take a different approach with the iconic building by tearing it down and redeveloping the area.
No final decisions have been made.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.
