The Dallas City Council has approved a contract with the prestigious multinational law firm Covington & Burling LLP to assist in enforcing a settlement agreement related to the redevelopment of the former U.S. Naval Air Station at Hensley Field. The firm will also aid the city in ongoing litigation concerning environmental contamination at the site.
Under the terms of the agreement, the city will pay Covington & Burling $300,000 in periodic payments to provide legal support as the city pursues both the final phase of the cleanup and its plans for development. The legal efforts focus on addressing hazardous substances left behind by the U.S. Navy, which leased the property from Dallas between 1949 and 1999.
Hensley Field spans over 700 acres on the border of Dallas and Grand Prairie. By the time the Navy’s lease ended, the site was significantly polluted with a variety of hazardous substances. These environmental concerns led to a lawsuit filed by the city against the federal government in 2021, seeking monetary relief and insisting on the completion of the cleanup, which was originally due by the end of 2017.
After reaching a settlement in 2022, the city had hoped for swift progress. However, as of now, environmental contamination remains unresolved, delaying the city’s long-planned redevelopment. In response, Dallas pushed forward with renewed legal efforts last year to ensure the site is fully cleaned up.
“This site holds great potential for the future of Dallas, and we are committed to ensuring that it can be developed safely,” said former City Manager T.C. Broadnax in a statement. “We are optimistic about working with the U.S. Navy to finalize the cleanup and transform Hensley Field into a vibrant mixed-use community that will offer housing, recreation, and commercial space.”
The development of Hensley Field has been in the works for several years. The city adopted a master plan for the site in December 2022, and the initial phases of the project began in November 2020. However, the contamination has continued to hinder progress. The city’s decision to engage Covington & Burling comes as part of a broader strategy to resolve the remaining legal and environmental challenges.
The project, once completed, is expected to feature mixed-income housing, recreational spaces, and commercial developments that will significantly enhance the surrounding area. Despite the ongoing challenges, the city remains focused on ensuring that the development moves forward in a way that benefits both the environment and the local community.
The approval of the contract with Covington & Burling was made during the City Council’s regular consent agenda session. No additional public discussion was held at the meeting.
As the city continues to navigate its legal options, Interim City Manager Kim Tolbert assured the public that the city is committed to achieving a final resolution. “We remain dedicated to bringing this long-term project to fruition,” she said, emphasizing that the city will persist in working toward a solution that will allow Hensley Field to reach its full potential.
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