Three council members, Paula Blackmon, Adam Bazaldua and Cara Mendelsohn, sued the city and sought an emergency court order to halt Wednesday’s special meeting. The meeting includes the City Council voting on whether to approve moving forward with moving at least some government operations out of City Hall.
Here’s what they have to say:
“Dallas City Hall is an I.M. Pei masterpiece and an irreplaceable civic landmark. A decision of this magnitude deserves full transparency, proper process, and genuine public participation, not a rushed vote at a specially called meeting with two days’ notice. We are asking the court simply to require the city to follow the law. Nothing more, nothing less.” – City Council member Adam Bazaldua
“We filed this because the process has been completely flawed from the start. There is no plan, the Mavericks haven’t even presented a plan. I’m tearing down a building — for what?” – City Council member Paula Blackmon
“The exigency of this matter cannot be overstated. Once the City Council authorizes the City Manager to “pursue opportunities for the redevelopment” of Dallas City Hall, irreversible actions may follow in rapid succession: solicitation of developer proposals, initiation of negotiations, execution of letters of intent, and commencement of planning activities that create expectations, relationships, and potential legal obligations that cannot be easily unwound. The purpose of a temporary restraining order is to‘preserve the status quo of the litigation’s subject matter pending a trial on the merits.’ … Without emergency relief before the June 10 meeting, there will be no status quo left to preserve.” – from the Verified Petition and Emergency Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Temporary and Permanent Injunctive Relief filed by council members Blackmon, Bazaldua and Cara Mendelsohn.
“The Dallas City Charter mandates that the Mayor and City Council ensure “adequate and appropriate prior review and consideration of official actions.” My clients are trying to do their job to ensure that review and consideration occurs. I think everyone in Dallas should want their city council to actually consider the financial impact and vote based on a complete picture.” – John S. Adams, attorney representing Blackmon, Bazaldua and Mendelsohn
“Due to pending litigation, we have no comment,” – Rick Ericson, Dallas Chief Communications Officer