Disagreements intensify between Sixth Floor Museum and Dallas County, concerning the lease agreement
Shootin' it Straight on the Sixth Floor Museum Lease
Tensions are high amongst Dallas County commissioners as they ponder over whether to extend a lease with the foundation operating the Sixth Floor Museum. With the previous lease agreement expiring in December and only temporarily extended four months, decisions are looming.
You guessed it! Dallas County owns the building that this historic museum calls home. Last month, the Dallas County Historical Foundation pitched a proposal to the commissioners court, highlighting the need for numerous updates and maintenance on the building before donors would fund the foundation's needs.
Tuesday, the commissioners shot down a request for a four-month extension to gather more information. Instead, they gave the foundation until the end of June to present details about the lease agreement terms. The historical foundation coughs up less than $10,000 a month for two floors of the building—you know, where Lee Harvey Oswald is said to have gunned down President John F. Kennedy way back on Nov. 22, 1963.
Commissioner Andy Sommerman's got questions. He's feelin' like, "I am willing to offer 'em a shockingly good rate for this museum, a shockingly good rate, if they want us to know what's goin' on the floors." The rest of the commissioners didn't agree to a four month extension, or even a reconsidered three month one. They settled on a two month extension. Commissioner Elba Garcia held her horses, abstaining from the vote.
Sommerman ain't buying it: "They ain't gonna give us any information about what they intend to use the floors for."
In 2022, the county and the foundation agreed that the museum could lease space in the former administration building while long-term use was considered. They also agreed that the museum operator could occupy the second and third floors—a total of around 16,500 square feet. This agreement will now expire on August 31, 2025.
The museum's also hoggin' up about 49 reserved parking spots and the lot for about $8,300 a month.
County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins' aimin' for a fair deal for both the county and museum. "I ain't in favor of charging 'em a rate they can't pay and chasing 'em out," Jenkins said. "I am advocating for looking at what our museum consultant and property management consultants say, and knowing that information as we decide what to do here."
Got a hunch about the situation? Shoot your contact to Marina Trahan Martinez at [email protected] can follow her at @HisGirlHildy.
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- The Dallas County Commissioners are contemplating whether to grant an extension to the Sixth Floor Museum lease, which expires in December and was temporarily extended until April.
- Last month, the Dallas County Historical Foundation proposed to the commissioners court for updates and maintenance on the building before seeking donor funding.
- On Tuesday, commissioners refused a four-month extension for the foundation, demanding details about the lease agreement terms by the end of June.
- Commissioner Andy Sommerman has expressed doubts about the foundation providing information about their planned use of the floors, despite offering a seemingly favorable lease rate.
