John Scovell

Six Years Later, Reunion Tower Observation Deck to Reopen With a New Look

Reunion Tower will finally be reopening "soon," with a slew of renovations planned to make it bigger and glossier. Judy Pesek, a partner at the design firm responsible for the project, laid out the planned renovations to a crowd gathered on the tower's observation deck. The renovations will include ... More >>

Why Wait for Mike Rawlings' Trinity Toll Road Speech When We Know What He'll Say?

Yesterday Joe told you that Mike Rawlings, our mayor, is having a press conference today to announce how he feels about the Trinity River Toll Road. So guess who's got to go to the damn thing at 12:30? OK, OK, I'm doin' it. Wow, everybody doesn't just need to get in a big huge wad about it. I'll g ... More >>

At Last Night's Debate, David Kunkle Wasn't About to Let Mike Rawlings Steal His Script

Photo by Sam MertenLeft to right: Mayoral candidates Mike Rawlings, Edward Okpa, Ron Natinsky and David Kunkle​Former Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle came out swinging at Tuesday evening's mayoral debate at the Fairmont Hotel, with most of his barbs aimed at ex-Pizza Hut CEO Mike Rawlings. Th ... More >>

"Dallas Tomorrow" Scheduled for August 3

The Trinity Trust​I know, I know -- it's a few weeks off. Still, write it down in your Trapper Keeper: Beginning at 5 p.m. that Tuesday, the Dallas Bar Association's Public Forum Committee is holding a three-hour what's-up-Dallas at the Belo Mansion featuring quite the foursome: Mayor Tom Leppert, ... More >>

Are the Plans To Build A Green, Sustainable Building of Tomorrow Smack in the Heart of Downtown Dallas Some Pipedream or A Reality?

While Breaking Ground for Convention Center Hotel, Mayor Tom Leppert Unveils Updated Design and Becomes Bellhop for a Day

Sam MertenCaption contest!It took Mayor Tom Leppert approximately two years to accomplish what no one else in Dallas could: begin building a convention center hotel. And hundreds of assorted politicos, city officials, business leaders and supporters were on hand Tuesday afternoon at the site of the ... More >>

Vacant Buildings Downtown Still Vacant. But At Least Now They Belong to Someone Else.

1604 Main Street, now off the market​Eleven months ago, Mayor Tom Leppert gathered the media beneath 1604 Main Street to detail his plan for dealing with 36 vacant buildings downtown. We've spilled plenty of virtual ink documenting the doings with two of the more high-profile properties, but this ... More >>

The Mayor and His Pro-Hotel Friends Want You to Vote No Early Because "The Future of Dallas is in Our Hands Right Now"

In my inbox this morning, I received an e-mail from the Vote No! group, who are packaging Proposition 1 and 2 together. For those needing clarification, Proposition 1 will approve a charter amendment prohibiting the city from "owning, financing, constructing, or operating a hotel or other lodging f ... More >>

Ann Margolin Leads the Pack As City's Finance Report Deadline Looms

As we mentioned a while back, District 13 city council candidate Ann Margolin appeared to be the heir apparent to Mitchell Rasansky with a long list of notable supporters and a strong résumé. And as the 5 p.m. deadline approaches for candidates and committees to file their finance reports, Margol ... More >>

Who Doesn't Have Something at Arts Magnet With Their Name On It?

During today's closed-door meeting of the Dallas Independent School District board, the trustees will tell superintendent Michael Hinojosa whether or not they, ya know, trust the dude. As in: The board will "deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or di ... More >>

Post-Makeover, Union Station's Reincarnated in Wolfgang Puck's Image

Patrick Michels Mayor Tom Leppert and City Council Member Sheffie Kadane tenderly declare Union Station open for business. After a $23-million renovation, Union Station is back in business downtown, this time as a Wolfgang Puck-catered feed lot for hungry Hyatt guests. The 93-year-old building has ... More >>

A Really Long Post About Last Week’s Council Meeting. Worth Reading, Though. Swear.

Friends of Unfair Park: Your Morning Cup of Joe

DISD Parents Unite and Take Back Your Schools From the Money Guys.

Despite the $84 million shortfall and the axing of 550 teachers, it's business as usual at DISD headquarters

How to Get Big Business Interested in DISD: Threaten Its Bond Money.

Good Lord, Who Isn't Supporting Ann Margolin's Bid for City Council?

For Better or Best, Dallas Citizens Council Opens the Book on Its Past

Shocking! Surprising! And Exciting!

Woodbine to Get Convention Center Hotel Deal This A.M. (OK, Maybe)

A Peek Inside the Ugly Convention Center Hotel Bidding Process

"Puck at Reunion Tower"? Now, We Like the Sound of That.

Because Anything's Gotta Be Better Than Antares, Right?

Kicking a Dead Horse: Just Why's the City Council Trying to Save Reunion Arena, Anyway?

The Dwaine Caraway Show

Starring that new breed of politician who wants to root out your crack houses, close down your whorehouses and pull up your pants

Drunk on Victory, At a Price

Hey, Blow, We're So Done Doing Your Homework

You, Me & Dupree

Is it Too Late to Give Tom Leppert a Nickname?

Don't You Wish Your Mayor Was Hot Like Me

Dallas' mayoral wannabes are all nice guys. Where's the fun in that?

News Hard on Preston Hollow. Finally.

Bond Girl

Spike Dance

The Hunt Oil people were shakin' their booties at City Hall last week

Pickin' Cotton

While Dallas fools around with the Olympics, the Cotton Bowl crumbles

The Race Not Run

Republican Bill Hill is running against Democrat Rick Reed for district attorney. Don't think you have a choice.

Mr. Mayor, Meet Your Nightmare

Frustrated, fed up, and ready to fight, Laura Miller trades muckraking for a run at City Hall

Letters

Bad boys

The voters could care less. But someone's gotta win the runoff for the last lowly DISD board seat

One Fine Mess

Elected by no one, John Scovell and a clique of Dallas business leaders brought you DISD's most infamous cast of characters: Yvonne Gonzalez, Dan Peavy, Bill Keever, and Sandy Kress. Thanks a lot.

Chaos theory

A politically dysfunctional DISD board heads into a May election that's looking so scary, few voters or contributors want to go near it

Leave it to Keever

DISD's new leader has ambition and ideas--if anybody'd let him finish a meeting

Who ya gonna call?

City Hall's top brass use taxpayer-provided mobile phones to call sweethearts, power brokers, and Pizza Hut.

Desperate dealing

City scrambles to finance arena privately--and steal racetrack back from Fort Worth

The racer's edge

Hunt alliance gives weaker track developer big edge

The Arena Papers

Inside the secret City Hall files: A tale of dupes and deception