Dallas has suspended all upcoming real estate transactions following a series of expensive mistakes.. The latest error was the failed acquisition of an office tower on North Stemmons Freeway near the 1600 block. City officials purchased the 11-story, 228,000-square-foot building at 7800 N. Stemmons in 2022 for $14.1 million. The building is intended to serve as a central permitting hub. Despite investing millions in renovations and relocating some staff by the 2023 fiscal year, City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert revealed that the move did not comply with Dallas’ permitting procedures.
Tolbert, interim city manager as of May 2024, had already taken action before her official appointment. She instructed the staff to leave the premises and head back to the Oak Cliff Municipal Center. This was outlined as a top priority in her 100-day transition plan. The Dallas Economic Development Corporation will conduct a comprehensive building assessment, and the city auditor will initiate an audit.
A memo from Tolbert to the mayor and city council explicitly stated that all real estate acquisitions are suspended unless previously approved by voters or the city council. Dallas will engage local real estate firm CBRE to assess surplus properties and assist with asset monetization projects. CBRE will also help the city develop new policies, evaluate staffing and infrastructure needs, and recommend technology improvements…