Municue

Bar and Live Music Venue at Main and Malco

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An application for an amendment to Specific Use Permit 2569 for a bar, lounge, or tavern and inside commercial amusement limited to a live music venue on property zoned Tract A within Planned Development 269, the Deep Ellum/Near East Side District, on the southwestern corner of Main Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. Staff Recommendation: Approval, subject to conditions. Applicant: Rob Baldwin / Baldwin Associates Representative: Michael Ziemer / Puzzle Concepts, LLC U/A From: February 5, 2026. Planner: Oscar Aguilera Council District: 2 Z-25-000183

active
Zoning Casesite_specificNotableCity Council, City Plan Commission
An amendment to a Specific Use Permit would allow a bar, lounge, or tavern with a live music venue on the southwestern corner of Main Street and Malco in Deep Ellum. This would bring entertainment programming to the historic music district.
3 eventsFirst seen Feb 5, 2026Last activity Apr 8, 2026Case ID: Z-25-000183
Topics
community
development
permit
public_hearing
zoning

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Actions

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Attorney

Determine if bar venue challenge window has already closed

Why now: As of May 19, 41 days have elapsed since the April 8 Council vote, yet the matter status remains 'active' with no confirmed ordinance effective date — creating genuine ambiguity about whether the challenge period has already run.

What to do: Verify whether the April 8 City Council vote constituted a final decision triggering the 30-day certiorari window under Texas Local Government Code §211.011 — if it did, that window expired around May 8, making any legal challenge now time-barred. If the ordinance has not yet been formally published or signed, the clock may not have started and a narrow window could still exist.

Act before: After ordinance publication date is confirmed

Source: City Council — Apr 08, 2026 →
Developer

Confirm bar venue ordinance is effective before scheduling build-out

Why now: Three appearances over three months (February 5, February 19, April 8) and a still-active status as of May 19 suggest administrative steps — ordinance enrollment, publication, or mayoral signature — may remain outstanding.

What to do: Before signing contractor agreements or triggering lease conditions tied to zoning approval at Main and Malco, confirm the ordinance effective date directly with Dallas Planning — the case shows an April 8 Council vote but still carries 'active' status, meaning the ordinance may not yet be legally in effect and a building permit may not yet be issuable.

Act before: After ordinance effective date is confirmed

Source: City Council — Apr 08, 2026 →
Journalist

Request Council staff report on bar venue to check defect disclosure

Why now: The public record logs three hearings — February 5 (14-0 with Housewright defect noted in minutes), February 19 (13-0 rehearing), and April 8 Council — with no published explanation for why a unanimous case required a second commission hearing.

What to do: File an open records request for the April 8 City Council staff report on this case and compare it against the February 5 City Plan Commission minutes — specifically to determine whether Council was told, before its vote, that the first commission vote included a procedural defect (Commissioner Housewright recorded as voting while absent). If the April 8 staff report omitted that irregularity, that gap is the story.

Act before: After records request response (typically 10 business days)

Source: City Council — Apr 08, 2026 →

Timeline

Hearing
Hearing Closed; CPC Recommendation Followed

A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application for and an ordinance granting an amendment to Specific Use Permit No. 2569 for a bar, lounge, or tavern and inside commercial amusement limited to a live music venue on property zoned Tract A within Planned Development District No. 269, the Deep Ellum/Near East Side District, on the southwestern corner of Main Street and Malcolm X Bouvelard Recommendation of Staff: Approval, subject to conditions Recommendation of CPC: Approval for a three-year period, subject to conditions Z-25-000183 *In alignment with ForwardDallas.

Hearing
Carried: 13 to 0

An application for an amendment to Specific Use Permit 2569 for a bar, lounge, or tavern and inside commercial amusement limited to a live music venue on property zoned Tract A within Planned Development 269, the Deep Ellum/Near East Side District, on the southwestern corner of Main Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. Staff Recommendation: Approval, subject to conditions. Applicant: Rob Baldwin / Baldwin Associates Representative: Michael Ziemer / Puzzle Concepts, LLC U/A From: February 5, 2026. Planner: Oscar Aguilera Council District: 2 Z-25-000183

Vote: 13 for, 0 against, 2 absent

recommend approval of amendment to SUP 2569 for bar/lounge/tavern and live music venue for three-year period

Vote
Carried: 14 to 0

An application for an amendment to Specific Use Permit 2569 for a bar, lounge, or tavern and inside commercial amusement limited to a live music venue on property zoned Tract A within Planned Development 269, the Deep Ellum/Near East Side District, on the southwestern corner of Main Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. Staff Recommendation: Approval, subject to conditions. Applicant: Rob Baldwin - Baldwin Associates Representative: Michael Ziemer - Puzzle Concepts, LLC Planner: Oscar Aguilera Council District: 2 Z-25-000183

Vote: 14 for, 0 against, 1 absent

hold under advisement until February 19, 2026

*Housewright out of room, shown voting in favor