D
allas City Council members have expressed frustration with the city's management of its 5,800 real estate assets, citing inadequate communication, siloed acquisitions, and unfunded operations. At a recent Government Performance and Financial Management meeting, Director of Facilities and Real Estate John Johnson presented case studies on several properties that highlighted these issues.

    Councilman Chad West emphasized the need for a strategic plan to address the city's real estate challenges. Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn questioned whether some departments overseeing real estate assets are qualified to do so, and suggested that the city manager bears responsibility for the problems.

    Mendelsohn also criticized the city's handling of the Family Gateway Shelter and Resource Center, which has been plagued by issues with its current building and a vacant property in downtown Dallas. Interim Assistant City Manager Donzell Gipson apologized for the city's response to storm damage at Family Gateway, acknowledging that it was not responsive enough.

    The committee also discussed several other properties, including a $14.2 million building on Stemmons Freeway that has been dubbed "the lemon on Stemmons" due to its numerous fire code violations and lack of certificate of occupancy. The city is currently considering auctioning off the property.

    Councilman Zarin Gracey has asked that the Hampton Road property be sold, while a Notice of Funding Availability was issued in July for developers interested in creating permanent supportive housing at Independence Drive, but no one responded. The project will be re-advertised.

    The Government Performance and Financial Management committee is scheduled to meet again on October 28 to receive monthly updates on the status of city-owned property.