Dallas County is reaping the rewards of a nearly decade-long undertaking that preserved more than 100 years of history, from the courtroom that hosted the trial of one of the most notorious assassins to the death-row location that held public executions.
Preservation Dallas honored Dallas County with the 2024 Preservation Achievement Award for the renovation of the Records Building Complex, which incorporates three historic buildings in downtown Dallas that were constructed separately and asynchronously from 1915 to 1955. One of four Institutional Building Restoration Projects recognized by Preservation Dallas, the $200 million, seven-year renovation is the largest in Texas history for a county government building.
The original facilities catapulted into U.S. history in 1963 as the backdrop of John F. Kennedy’s assassination route. Enveloped by a façade restored to the 1963 era, the remodeled 304,000-square-foot complex houses artifacts and overviews throughout its seven floors, commemorating people and events that made history on its premises. This includes a former courtroom location that held the world-famous, 1964 trial of Jack Ruby for the assassination of Lee Harvey Oswald and the location where five criminals were publicly hanged before executions were moved to a state prison in Huntsville.
Spearheading this monumental project as the chair of the Facilities Maintenance Commission was no easy feat. The first step was getting approval for a Building Study Committee to conduct an extensive analysis. The study ended up proving my vision that preserving and renovating, versus building anew, would reduce the annual $100 million deferred maintenance cost of operating these and other Dallas County dilapidated facilities.
Along with a first-class showcasing of rich history, the restored complex provides a state-of-the-art building for conducting business and an incentivizing workplace. Filled with comfortable visitor and work areas, natural lighting, and options for healthy eating and fitness, the Records Building Complex is the first government building in the Lone Star State to earn WELL certification for providing thoughtful and intentional spaces that positively impact well-being and health.
It was equally important to build an environmentally responsible facility. Under my lead, Dallas County had committed to having all of its buildings achieve, at minimum, silver certification in Leadership in Energy and Environment Design. Built with sustainable materials and boasting superior indoor air quality and energy and water efficiency, the Records Building exceeded expectations. A year after occupancy, the U.S. Green Building Council upgraded the facility’s rating to LEED Gold – making it the first building in Dallas County’s history to achieve this certification level.
Today’s Records Building Complex embodies the past, present, and future of Dallas. Built to last at least 100 years, the facility will relay Dallas County’s historic contributions for many generations to come.