Another investigation is being launched into the City of Dallas’ permitting department building blunder, which saw dozens of employees briefly moved into a new office building before the site was shut down over its roughly 140 code compliance violations.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Development Services Department (DSD) office debacle was the last of many under former City Manager T.C. Broadnax, who oversaw roughly seven years of inefficiencies and permitting backlogs at DSD as well as increases in crime, tax collection, and City spending. Candy’s Dirt has the latest report:

“The Dallas Economic Development Corporation will conduct an investigation and evaluation to determine why city employees moved into a building on Stemmons Freeway that wasn’t up to code and did not have proper permits.

“In a memorandum filed Friday by Interim Assistant City Manager Robin Bentley, the Dallas mayor and City Council were advised that ‘staff has enlisted third-party expertise to develop a go-forward strategy for the City-owned property at 7800 N. Stemmons Freeway.’

“’Last week, the EDC announced the hiring of its Chief Executive Officer, Linda McMahon, an executive with expertise in commercial real estate development,’ Bentley wrote in her memo. ‘Given the scope of the [City’s existing interlocal agreement with the EDC] and Ms. McMahon’s relevant knowledge and expertise, the EDC is a natural partner to take on this important work.’

“The Office of Economic Development will pay $100,000 for services provided by the EDC. A report is due to Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert by July 31, with a City Council briefing scheduled in August.

“The Stemmons building was purchased in 2022 for $14.2 million with another $5 million allocated for improvements and $1.5 million for furniture and moving expenses. Review expenditures related to the Stemmons Freeway building in this 21-page memo issued Friday by Assistant City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry.

“About 70 employees from the Development Services Department moved out of the overcrowded Oak Cliff Municipal Center in December but complained about maintenance problems and almost three dozen fire code violations. The crew moved back to OCMC in April and the City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on General Investigating and Ethics called a special meeting May 2 to look into the matter.”

To read the entire article by Candy’s Dirt, please click HERE.