Dallas Mavericks and Dallas County Officials Explore New Locations

Introduction to the Situation

As the Dallas Mavericks considers locations to build a new basketball arena, another real estate scouting mission is also at play. Dallas County officials are exploring the idea of constructing a new jail and justice center, leaving developers likely to pounce on the current site near the gateway to downtown — if or when it ever goes on the market.

County officials have long heard whispers that the Mavericks could be eyeing the Lew Sterrett Justice Center near Commerce Street and Riverfront Boulevard. But the likelihood of the county jail complex actually being a finalist for the NBA team’s big plans are slim — nobody has contacted county leadership about the idea, according to Dallas County Administrator Darryl Martin.

“I heard that. But they haven’t contacted us,” Martin said of the Mavericks’ potential interest in the jail site.

The Mavericks’ Search for a New Arena

Mavericks CEO Rick Welts told The Dallas Morning News last month the city had presented the team with several potential sites. He said they are doing a deeper dive to explore the viability of two of those properties but did not disclose the locations.

A team spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon.

The Mavericks’ lease for its current home at American Airlines Center expires in 2031, and Welts previously said the team has a goal of selecting a new arena site by late 2025 or early 2026.

That timeline could make the Lew Sterrett property unfeasible.

Dallas County’s Plans for a New Jail and Justice Center

Although Martin confirmed the county is exploring potential sites for a new jail, including rebuilding on the current location, he said they are still in the early stages of what could be a 10-year process.

He could not say when the Commissioners Court might vote on the first public steps: buying land for the new construction and finding funding to pay for it.

“We’re still early in the process,” Martin said. “It’s impossible to even give you any detail on that because it’s just too early.”

Last year, the Jail Facilities Advisory Committee recommended the county build a new complex to replace the aging 50-year-old jail.

An outside consultant estimated the project could cost $5 billion by 2032, two years before it would open.

County Officials’ Stance on the Situation

County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins declined to disclose what sites the county might be considering to build a new justice center.

He confirmed that nobody from the Mavericks has approached him about buying the current jail site.

Martin, however, said the door is open.

“If they have the money, talk to me,” Martin said. “And they have the money.”

Conclusion

The situation with the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas County officials exploring new locations is complex and ongoing. While the Mavericks are searching for a new arena site, the county is exploring options for a new jail and justice center. The current site of the Lew Sterrett Justice Center is a potential location for the Mavericks, but it is unclear if the team is seriously considering it. The county’s plans for a new jail and justice center are still in the early stages, and it may be several years before a new location is selected and construction begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Dallas Mavericks’ current lease situation?

A: The Mavericks’ lease for its current home at American Airlines Center expires in 2031.

Q: What is the timeline for the Mavericks to select a new arena site?

A: The team has a goal of selecting a new arena site by late 2025 or early 2026.

Q: What is the estimated cost of the new jail and justice center project?

A: An outside consultant estimated the project could cost $5 billion by 2032.

Q: Has the Mavericks organization approached county officials about buying the current jail site?

A: No, according to County Administrator Darryl Martin and County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins, nobody from the Mavericks has contacted them about buying the current jail site.

Q: Is the county open to selling the current jail site to the Mavericks or other developers?

A: Yes, according to Martin, the door is open for potential buyers, and he is willing to discuss the possibility if they have the necessary funds.