Dallas City Hall

Ah, So This Was All Mary Suhm's Idea: Patting Backs, Drinking Drinks on Margaret Hunt Hill

​The speeches went on and on and on and on ... and on, everyone on the stage thanking everyone else on the stage for having a hand in building this thing we were all standing on: the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. Mayor Mike Rawlings, Friday night's emcee, introduced "our new skyline" and the structu ... More >>

City Council Delays Giving DISD Rezoning It Wants in Jubilee Park, Pending Trustees' Vote on School Closures Tomorrow Night

​Best I can tell using our half-baked search engine, we began writing about Jubilee Park-ers' battle with the Dallas Independent School District over a new-and-improved O.M. Roberts in April 2010, when residents told Dallas County commissioners they were terrified of losing their homes in an emine ... More >>

Do You Carry a Parking Meter Cash Key? Or Would You Rather Pay With a Credit Card?

View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.For whatever reason Ken Kalthoff got a little distracted whilst reporting the piece you see above about the city experimenting with solar-powered parking meters that take credit cards (all together now: finally). Ken spends most of the piece trying to get his c ... More >>

The End of the Occupation: Scenes From Dallas Police's Raid on Occupy Dallas's Encampment

Photos by Justin Terveen, slide show hereIn the shadow of Dallas City Hall, officers on horseback and in riot gear prepared to raid the Occupy Dallas encampment early this morning.​A little past 11 last night, one of the protesters camped out behind Dallas City Hall was walking from tent to te ... More >>

Bow to Your Partner

Occupy Dallas's Guidelines for Occupation

Via.​WFAA ran a piece last night about Child Protective Services taking an 11-month-old from the Occupy Dallas encampment behind Dallas City Hall yesterday; per Rebecca Lopez, investigators "already had an existing case." But between that and the news about a registered sex offender occupying one ... More >>

So, Wait, We Weren't Supposed to Be Recycling Cartons? But Now We Can? Good to Know.

Via.No?​Finally, a press release from Dallas City Hall that settles a long-simmering argument at my house: "Dallas becomes first major Texas city to add cartons to the list of acceptable recycling items." Son. Of. A. Clearly, I was wrong. Sorry, honey. My apologies. Never shoulda been putting thos ... More >>

As First Presbyterian Closes on 508 Park Ave., A Closer Look at Its Plans for Landmark Location

Click to embiggen​Late last summer we caught wind of First Presbyterian's plans to purchase 508 Park Avenue, the former Brunswick Records regional office near Dallas City Hall in which Robert Johnson, Bob Wills and others once recorded. Yesterday, after myriad stops in front of the Landmark Commis ... More >>

The Power of the Pop-Up Shop

Photo by Taryn Walker​Wednesday afternoon photo intern Taryn Walker stopped by the Living Plaza, which made its return to Dallas City Hall ... and not for the final time, as organizers within OCP headquarters now expect it to become a monthly event, at least. Yet again, bcWORKSHOP's shipping-conta ... More >>

Ron Natinsky Wants "Full Inquiry" to See If Laws Were Broken When Mike Rawlings's Pal Got Trail Safety Campaign Contract

Photo by Patrick MichelsJake Schroepfer at last week's debut of the Happy Trails campaign at Dallas City Hall​Speaking of ethics at City Hall...So happens that Patrick stopped by Dallas City Hall Thursday, just as ad man Jake Schroepfer was giving his Happy Trails Dallas safety campaign presentati ... More >>

Jason Roberts and the Better Block'ers Dare You to Build a Better Ross Avenue in Three Days

​One week after turning the front of Dallas City Hall into the Living Plaza, Jason Roberts -- who'll sleep when he's dead -- sends word of yet another project: the 72-Hour Challenge to turn a stretch of Ross Avenue downtown into a complete street. There are some details on the Better Block website ... More >>

Want to Own a Downtown Club? Buildings Housing Plush and Skye Bar Are For Sale.

Inside Plush​Back in late '08, developer Bryan Foster went to Dallas City Hall to see about getting $475,000 in City Center Tax Increment Financing District reimbursements, which he said were needed to give 1400 Main Street, then a 1954 building in sorry shape, an $4-plus-million extreme makeover ... More >>

When Will They Begin to Re:Vision Dallas? Depends On When City Creates That "Sustainable Design District" Downtown.

If you thought they'd forgotten to build this behind Dallas City Hall, you'd be wrong.​It's been an awful long time since last we wrote about John Greenan and Brent Brown's plans to build that green, sustainable building of tomorrow directly behind Dallas City Hall. But a few days ago, a piece wri ... More >>

Rawlings's New Campaign Mailer Takes a Shot at Kunkle, Natinsky. The Ex-Chief Fires Back.

Kunkle, Natinsky and Rawlings​A couple of weeks back we got Mike Rawlings's first big-money mailer -- a slick meet-the-candidate flier highlighted by quite the '70s 'stache -- accompanied by the first of what's proved to be a series of good-looking short films starring the mayoral candidate. (The ... More >>

Mayoral Candidates Address Issues of Hunger

Forthcoming in moments, Sam's recap of this morning's ballot-place-picking procedure at Dallas City Hall. But two days ago we listened in as the four candidates for Dallas mayor -- Mike Rawlings and David Kunkle especially -- debated the root cause of domestic violence at the North Texas Food Bank's ... More >>

Mike Rawlings Taps Captain America For Tomorrow's Official Campaign Kick-Off

​As Sam pointed out in February 2007, when he covered Tom Leppert's mayoral campaign kick-off at St. Philip's School in South Dallas, Roger Staubach served as his campaign co-chair alongside Elaine Agather. But Staubach couldn't make it four years back; he was "not in attendance." He is expected a ... More >>

Leppert Wants Control Over Keys to City

​Sure, they're only ceremonial -- not like they're getting someone into Dallas City Hall or Mac's or the downtown Neimans after hours. But Mayor Tom Leppert's taken note of his pro tem's gift to Michael Vick over the weekend and just sent this statement about how he wants this honor to be doled ou ... More >>

City Council to Vote on Ordinance Keeping Registered Sex Offenders From Living Together

​Shame there's no one at Dallas City Hall till Monday, because this just popped up on the year-ending December 8 council agenda: an ordinance that will "prohibit multiple registered sex offenders from residing in the same dwelling unit, with certain defenses." Says the agenda, the council first di ... More >>

Well, It Is Cycling Weather: An Early Look at Plans For This Year's Cyclesomatic

​For those who like to plan ahead (or for those of us who need a few weeks to, oh, I dunno, stop smoking and pump up their tires and generally reconsider several other unhealthy life choices), this heads-up: Bike Friendly Oak Cliff this morning released the details for Cyclesomatic 2010, a four-da ... More >>

TXU To Install "At Least a Dozen" Electric-Car Charging Stations in Dallas, Fort Worth

​And where, exactly, will TXU install these outlets? Dunno yet. I asked Sophia Stoller, TXU spokesperson, if she can provide the list following this morning's announcement, released in advance of a 5 p.m. press conference at the Automotive Building at Fair Park. Says Stoller, "We're working with b ... More >>

From the West, Dallas to Receive a Visitor Dressed Up in 500 Single-Use Plastic Bags

​You probably don't remember, but back in October 2008 there was a very brief discussion at Dallas City Hall that maybe the council mightcouldaoughta ban the single-use plastic bag. Which went nowhere after council member Linda Koop said the city's not gonna outlaw the bag, but will instead educat ... More >>

Lettuce Now Consider Our Latest Activist Doings: PETA to Hand Out Meatless Weenies!

​If nothing else, this is proving to be a very good week for cheapskate vegetarians (or, really, people who just like free food). Because, like I said Monday, at week's end the folks responsible for yesterday's egg-stremely productive protest at the West Village Albertsons will be back at the DART ... More >>

City Can't Tell How Much Dallas Summer Musicals Owes for Fair Park Parking

​This morning, Frank Librio at Dallas City Hall sends word: City Auditor Craig Kinton has wrapped his look-see at parking revenues from Dallas Summer Musicals' productions at the Fair Park Music Hall. And there's one major problem: For the last couple of years, the city didn't have any idea how mu ... More >>

No Justice, No One-Piece: Take a Dip in the "Bikini Protest" Tomorrow at City Hall

​I spoke yesterday with a high-ranking City Hall monitor who says that based upon the feedback council members are getting at their budget town halls, a tax hike "actually might happen," since a 1-cent increase would go a long way toward sparing proposed cuts to rec centers and, just maybe, neighb ... More >>

Clearly, You All Have Thoughts About Cycling in Dallas. City Hall Really Wants You To Share.

​So, speaking -- or shouting -- of bicycling in Dallas ...A couple of weeks back I mentioned that on May 27, the city and the North Central Texas Council of Governments are holding a 2011 Dallas Bike Plan Open House from 5 to 8 p.m. at Dallas City Hall, during which reps from Toole Design Group wi ... More >>

Do You Care If Postal Service Ditches Saturday Delivery? We Do. Hence Another Liveblog.

​Ruth Goldway, chair of the Postal Regulatory Commission, opened today's meeting deep in the bowels of Dallas City Hall thusly: "We're hoping to get as much input as we can, from a wide cross-section" of people who care (or don't) about their Saturday delivery. The commission held its first he ... More >>

City Hall Wants to Make It Very Clear: We Don't Need No Lousy Bids at Love Field

A conceptual rendering of Love Field after it undergoes its extreme makeover​Still haven't heard from City Attorney Tom Perkins concerning the legal above-boardness of those no-bid concession contracts at Love Field Airport, which the council will vote on tomorrow. But outta nowhere a a little whi ... More >>

Take One Guess Why Council's Messing With Judicial Nominating Commission

​Interesting item on the Dallas City Council's agenda this morning: "Judicial Nominating Commission." (It's Action Item No. 5, for those playing along at home.) City Attorney Tom Perkins is offering the council three alternative ways to fix the body that vets candidates for municipal judgeships. S ... More >>

Under the Commerce Street Bridge, No Shortage of Public Art Along the Trinity

Patrick MichelsUnder the Commerce Street bridge, a big invitation for stray dogs.​Never a friend of unsanctioned urban marking, Dallas City Hall has been particularly vocal in its graffiti opposition in the last few days.Coinciding with Council Member Delia Jasso's latest anti-graffiti happening - ... More >>

Erykah Badu Went to Dealey Plaza, Got Naked, Shot Video. City Hall Distances!

On March 17, Erykah Badu and a small crew went down to Dealey Plaza to shoot a very naked video for "Window Seat."​Earlier this morning, Pete posted the evidence to DC9: Erykah Badu's "Window Seat" video, the latest informercial for New Amerykah Part Two: The Return of the Ankh, in stores tomorrow ... More >>

This Just in From the Office of Ironic Developments at Dallas City Hall ...

​I've been meaning to get to this for hours and was otherwise occupied -- drinking, of course, in anticipation of tomorrow's big day. Schutze's bestest bud, Frank Librio at Dallas City Hall, sent to us media types a press release announcing that the city's Office of Economic Development Web site h ... More >>

"How We Value our Art and History is a Glimpse Into the Soul of Our Community."

Barry KoodaSome Nervebreaker: Our favorite local punk rock icon got in the building a few years ago. Here's his photo album, which includes this ancient graffiti beneath the front stairs.​One can't tell the story of the old Dallas High School, or Crozier Tech, without talking to Veletta Lill. Afte ... More >>

Dallas Tea Party Founder: "We Truly Are Made Up of Normal, Regular People"

Daniel DaughteryEven those not old enough to pay taxes joined in the Tax Day Tea Party protest at Dallas City Hall.​National Public Radio just posted a piece of its All Things Considered piece on the Dallas Tea Party; the audio, of course, won't be available till this evening for those who aren't ... More >>

Hot To Trot

Before City Hall Shuts Down for a Week, a Great Actress Stops By to Stop the Sagging

Tom Hanks and Irma P. Hall in The Ladykillers​Last night, Frank Librio at Dallas City Hall sent word that before everyone at 1500 Marilla Street goes on extended holiday vacay -- tomorrow's a furlough day -- there's one last press conference on the schedule. And it's quite the all-star jam session ... More >>

Hey Mayor Leppert: Want Ethics Reform To Have Some Real Teeth? Take Away the Power of the Table.

If Nothing Else, the Trinity River Corridor Project Inspires Some Awfully Nice Photos

Paul Sokal's grand-prize winner in the city's Trinity River Photo Contest​Meranda Cohn at Dallas City Hall directs our attention to the winning photos from the Trinity River Photo Contest, for which our pal Allison V. Smith was one of the four judges. You can view as either a PDF or a PowerPoint. ... More >>

The Mayor’s Proposal for City Council Ethics Reform Misses its Target: the City Council

In the Zoning, or: Someone Dipped Their Dallas City Council in My Ethics Reform.

Carol Reed said to Schutze last month, there's no need for lobbyist registration: Because, look, "anybody knows that when I come down [to Dallas City Hall], I'm getting paid."​The council's talking ethics reform again this morning -- specifically, lobbyist registration, restrictions on campaign co ... More >>

Federal City Hall Corruption Trial Gets a Little National Attention, Courtesy The WSJ

Sam MertenDon Hill and wife Sheila. Like you didn't know that.This morning, The Wall Street Journal recaps the Dallas City Hall federal corruption trial for outsiders and others not glued to Schutze's riveting running narration from the Earle Cabell, where Bill Fisher takes the stand yet again this ... More >>

Damn Good Joes | Mule-Headed

Courtesy Re:Vision Dallas, Six Visions of a "Self-Sustaining" Downtown Dallas Block

From Portugal, one of the three finalists in the Re:Vision Dallas competitionIt was quite the confab at Dallas City Hall on December 8, when Mayor Tom Leppert welcomed  to a fourth-floor conference room about three dozen urban planners, architects and city officials who'd come downtown on a chi ... More >>

Office of the City Auditor Reports That Dallas's Municipal Court Is Sorta, Kinda Broken

City of DallasFrank Librio at Dallas City Hall was kind enough to pass along this a.m. the latest report from the Office of City Auditor, which has determined that the city's been losing a small fortune in muni court revenue since 2006. Why come? A bunch of reasons, actually, all of which are availa ... More >>

More, More, More: What to Expect If Yer Heading to the St. Patrick's Day Parade

Just noticed this heads-up on the Dallas City Hall Web site, which may be of interest to those headed down to the 30th Annual Greenville Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade Saturday morning. It's more or less a checklist of what to expect before, during and after the shindig, including the total number ... More >>

UNT Wants to Make Sure Municipal Building Still Standing By 2010

The Dallas Municipal Building on Harwood and Main streets is a historic heap o' mess -- one short short of a full-blown catastrophe, according to this story and friends who work out of the building. And it has the University of North Texas, which hopes to turn the former Dallas City Hall into the si ... More >>

Tom Leppert Has "Celebrity Appeal." So Does Terrell Owens, Incidentally.

March on Oak Cliff. Well, In Oak Cliff.

Busted

It's not just us; two state legislative committees find a culture of corruption at City Hall.

Ruh-Roh

Those silly officials from around the state think the law should apply in Dallas

Lies on Tape

Secret city documents expose arena-study coverup at City Hall.