Dallas city officials expressed concern last fall and earlier this year that WFAA-TV (Channel 8) might relocate from its longtime downtown Dallas location due to a dispute over parking, according to internal emails reviewed by The Dallas Morning News. The potential move stemmed from the city’s efforts to acquire land, including WFAA’s parking lot, for the expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
The emails reveal a scramble among city leaders to retain the presence of one of the last major television newsrooms in the downtown core, a presence considered vital to the area’s economic and civic life. The situation highlights the challenges facing downtown Dallas as corporations increasingly move to the suburbs. The future of WFAA’s location became uncertain as the city pursued eminent domain to seize property owned by Charter DMN Holdings, a company led by developer Ray Washburne, which included the station’s parking facilities.
Eminent Domain and WFAA’s Parking Concerns
In September, the city of Dallas filed a lawsuit against Charter DMN Holdings to acquire approximately 36,000 square feet of land around Young and Houston streets for the convention center overhaul. WFAA was also named as a defendant in the case, as its parking lot was included in the targeted parcel. City officials had previously made offers to purchase the land, which were rejected, according to the lawsuit. Washburne indicated he was open to a sale, but noted the property was subject to an existing ground lease with WFAA-TV.
Linda McMahon, CEO of the city-affiliated Economic Development Corp., warned city officials in a September 12 email that the eminent domain case “could effectively push WFAA out of the city.” The message was sent to City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, Tolbert’s chief of staff, Ahmad Goree, and assistant city manager Robin Bentley. Two months later, McMahon relayed information from WFAA General Manager Carolyn Mungo, stating that without parking, the station’s “real estate people are looking elsewhere to move them,” according to the emails.
Negotiations and a Potential Resolution
McMahon met with Mungo for lunch on January 8 to discuss the situation. Following the meeting, McMahon reported the conversation was encouraging but acknowledged the significant challenge of finding adequate parking in downtown Dallas. “Obviously losing their parking is a major blow and finding space in Dallas with 250 parking spaces is challenging,” she wrote in an email. “Carolyn really wants to be in downtown and is trying to find the right space.”
City officials quickly prioritized resolving the issue. On the day after the lunch, Tolbert urged staff to “get the WFAA issue resolved ASAP!” citing tight deadlines for the remaining land acquisitions. Bentley responded that negotiations with WFAA’s legal team were progressing and described them as a “friendly transaction” even as the eminent domain case continued. The city aimed to reach a resolution by March, according to internal communications.
In February, the Dallas City Council approved spending $11.3 million to settle the lawsuit and secure the land. Washburne confirmed last month that he had sold the land to WFAA prior to the settlement, a deal the station also acknowledged. McMahon stated she doesn’t know if the agreement fully resolved the parking issue, but emphasized her advocacy for WFAA remaining downtown, calling them “an important part of the city.”
Downtown Dallas Faces Corporate Exodus
WFAA’s potential departure would add to a growing trend of businesses leaving downtown Dallas. Telecom giant AT&T plans to move its headquarters to Plano by 2028, and Fox 4 is set to relocate to Irving by mid-2026 after more than 75 years in downtown Dallas. WFAA has maintained a presence on Young Street since 1961, with a brief period between 2007 and 2021 operating a studio in Victory Park. Its parent company, Tegna, is currently being acquired by Nexstar, which has offices in Irving.
The situation with WFAA underscores the ongoing efforts to revitalize and maintain a vibrant business environment in downtown Dallas. The city’s ability to retain key businesses like WFAA will be crucial as it navigates the challenges of economic development and competition from surrounding areas.
The resolution of the parking dispute and WFAA’s long-term plans for its downtown location remain a key issue for the city. Further developments regarding the convention center expansion and the broader economic landscape of downtown Dallas will likely shape the future of the media landscape in the region.
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