Dallas Launches Open Call for Concepts Survey Alongside Library and Budget Consultations

The City of Dallas has opened an "Open Call for Concepts" survey that invites residents, developers and business leaders to provide input on the future of City Hall and surrounding properties, with submissions due by May 3, 2026. At the same time, the city is running a statistically valid 2025 Community Survey sent to over 2,000 households to measure quality of life and service priorities that will inform the 2025-2026 fiscal budget.

Library branch review and area planning meetings

Public input meetings on a proposal to close four neighborhood library branches, Oak Lawn, Skyline, Ren Frankford and Arcadia Park, have been postponed after opposition from residents and council members, with survey results now expected in March 2026. Separate public meetings for the South Dallas Fair Park Area Plan are scheduled for November and December 2025 to review zoning concepts aimed at business growth while seeking to limit resident displacement.

These processes directly affect daily access to library services and local land use decisions in South Dallas and the named branch neighborhoods. Residents not selected for the household survey can still complete the 2025 Community Survey online to register their views on service priorities.

Budget town halls and City Hall renovation costs

Dallas officials are holding more than ten budget town halls in spring 2026 to collect feedback on how funds should be directed to libraries, pools and City Hall repairs. Full renovation of City Hall is estimated to require $1 billion over two decades. The town halls and surveys provide structured channels for residents to indicate which services matter most to their neighborhoods.

Upcoming steps include the remaining South Dallas Fair Park Area Plan sessions in late 2025, the postponed library meetings, the March 2026 survey results, and the spring 2026 budget town halls, all of which will feed into decisions on city facilities and spending.