UPDATE (4:29 pm): DFW Airport responded after publication, saying the information initially reported from the TDLR filing resulted from administrative errors made by the airport’s outside design firm.
“While the estimate noted was $300,000, that was a preliminary high estimate and we expect the project, if it were approved to proceed, would cost closer to $120,000,” DFW said in an email to The Dallas Express.
The airport said the firm also erroneously selected “privately funded” from the filing system’s drop-down menu.
“That was an error and it should have indicated that airport funds would be used to pay for the work like all our projects,” DFW said.
DFW said it does not use taxpayer dollars for airport operations and instead relies on revenue streams such as parking and concessions. The airport added that the project remains under internal evaluation for cost, design and operational benefits and has not been approved.
The original article follows.
The live Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing, reviewed Friday by The Dallas Express, now lists an estimated project cost of $115,000, a reduction of $185,000 from the amount reported Thursday.
The filing’s funding classification now states, “This project involves public funds, public land, or is a Federally funded roadway project.” It also answers “No” when asked whether private funds are being provided by the tenant.
The same project, TABS2026026706, remains registered under the name “DFW – Wudu – Ablution stations – Terminal D.”
Filing changed after news reports
Fox News reported that state documents listed the project at approximately $300,000 and described it as privately funded. The New York Post subsequently republished those details.
The live TDLR page does not display an amendment date, an explanation for the changes or a public history showing previous versions of the filing.
The current record identifies the City of Dallas and DFW Airport as the owner, DFW Airport as the tenant and Ghafari Associates LLC as the design firm. Kimberly Goss, a registered accessibility specialist, is identified as the person who filed the form.
TDLR states that project registrations must contain accurate and complete information and that providing false or misleading information violates state administrative rules.
The Dallas Express requested the original registration, every amendment and the filing’s complete audit history from TDLR. DX also contacted Goss, DFW Airport and Illiana Diaz, the owner contact listed in the filing, to determine who changed the filing, when the change occurred, why the estimated cost dropped and whether the original private-funding designation reflected an earlier funding arrangement.
Goss, Diaz, DFW Airport and TDLR did not respond before publication.
Original private-funding source remains unexplained
The initial news reports did not identify the private party reportedly financing the project. The revised filing removes the private-funding classification but still does not identify the project’s ultimate funding source.
The new classification does not, by itself, prove that taxpayers will pay for the stations. TDLR combines projects involving public funds, public land or federally funded roadways within the same category. Because the proposed stations would be installed on public airport property, the land classification alone could account for the designation.
DFW has also said that it does not use taxpayer dollars for airport operations.
However, the filing does not identify an Airport account, construction contract, private donor, sponsor, airline, tenant or religious organization responsible for the project’s estimated cost.
DX asked DFW whether the funding arrangement changed and whether any outside organization is financing or reimbursing the Airport for the work.
Terminal D has two stations
DFW announced in March 2019 that the relocated Terminal D Interfaith Chapel near Gate D40 included two ablution stations for ritual purification.
The new project would add one station inside an existing men’s restroom and another inside an existing women’s restroom on Terminal D’s concourse level.
A separate state filing estimated the total cost of the 2018 chapel relocation at $250,000. That filing identified DFW Airport as the owner but did not itemize the ablution stations or identify the project’s precise funding source.
DFW has not explained publicly why it selected Terminal D for two additional stations when the terminal already has two adjacent to its chapel.
DX asked DFW whether the existing stations remain operational, how frequently travelers use them and why the Airport chose Terminal D instead of another terminal for the new facilities.
This is a developing story. The Dallas Express will update this report as additional records and responses become available.
Provided by Dallas Express
