Report to Members & Stakeholders

January 2001

 

Crime Stats - The following is a comparison of the more serious crimes occurring in the area since 1993.  The "beat" numbers on the table refer to the areas shown on the map.  The overall reduction in crime is an extraordinary accomplishment, and has given the neighborhood a chance to recover economically. During 2000 there was an increase in crime against property, ie burglaries, stolen cars, thefts from automobiles.  We believe this is due, in large part, to the elimination of the police bike patrol in late ’99.  Crimes against people have continued to decline.  John Peter Smith Hospital has its own police department and maintains its own records for incidents occurring on the hospital campus.  The totals at JPS (same categories as below) went from 76 in 1999 to 36 in 2000 (down 111%!; all but four year 2000 incidents were crimes against property).  We are gathering information for the area between I-35 and Evans Avenue, where the trend has also been positive.  Statistics for similar beats in the downtown are presented for comparison.

                                                                                                                                                                             

Fort Worth South Annual Meeting - 64 individuals attended the January 23 review of year 2000 and a look to the future.  The Annual Report document is being mailed to 930 stakeholders.  Newly elected directors include Earl Cox, Eric Hahnfeld, J.R. Kimball, Chuck Nixon, Patsy Powell, Gary Terry, Reverend Robert Thompson, Randy Watson, Cheryl White, and Martha White.  Dr. James Watts is the Chairman; Dr. John Freese is Vice Chair; Barclay Berdan is Treasurer; and David Motheral is Secretary.  During February and March, the board of directors will be reviewing the strategic direction of the organization.

BAC - The Business Assistance Center, currently located in the Water Gardens Place, is scheduled to move to the former James Guinn Middle School building, Rosedale & I-30, in April 2001.  The BAC is a co-location of community resources that assist small businesses.  Contributing organizations include the Service Corp of Retired Execs, TCC Small Business Development Center, FW Economic Development Corp., William Mann Community Development Corp., Women's Business Center, Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, Cross Timbers Procurement Center, D/FW/Arlington Minority Business Development Center, Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities, and Strategy 2000 - about 35 full and part time people.  The building will also become the new offices of the Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce.  The gymnasium and shop areas of the old school will be remodeled for use in 2002 by the Fort Worth MedTech Center (medical & technology business incubator).  The two-story former elementary school facing Rosedale will get a new roof and windows and wait for a decision on its use.  The City owns the entire complex.

Paul's Donuts - Hany Sharaf has purchased the former Meditex building at 1324 Hemphill and will remodel it for his Paul’s Donut business.   His current building located at 513 W. Rosedale will be displaced with the widening of Rosedale Street. Hany's business consumes 1,500 pounds of flour each week for donuts and pastries that are enjoyed all around the medical district.  If you have a donut at Harris Methodist, All Saints or John Peter Smith hospitals, you are eating one of Hany's products.  The new building will permit an expansion of his business and a meeting room with seating for 35 people.

Day Labor Center - The city continues the search for a site for a day labor center to more effectively connect people who want day work and those contractors that need help with small projects.  This now occurs in an uncontrolled way under the I-30 overhead along Lancaster.  The early option of using a building at the northeast corner of S. Main and Vickery has been rejected.  Day laborer profile - median age 40, active as day laborers ave. 3.5 yrs, 42% homeless, 52% from the north side, 43% Hispanic, 34% Black, 24% White.

ABC Flag - ABC Flag Manufacturing Co., through its subsidiary South Main Partners, Ltd., has purchased six properties on both sides of the 200 block of South Main.  The acquisition consists of office buildings, warehouses and parking lots currently occupied by Grey Worldwide:Dallas/Fort Worth (formerly Regian & Wilson Advertising).  Included in the acquisition is the 85-year-old three-story office building that Grey will continue to lease for its advertising business.  ABC will hold the properties for investment purposes.   ABC is easily noticed.  Look for a large flag on a pole and the FWS banners on the buildings.

Justin Brands - A few years ago Justin was manufacturing 800 pairs of boots a day in their building at 322 S. Jennings.  The production was consolidated with other Justin manufacturing activities in Missouri.  The empty building is now being remodeled into offices to allow the consolidation of Justin Brands employees now located on West 7th Street.  The Acme Building Brands side of the former Justin Industries family of businesses will remain on West 7th.

Membership - Welcome to three new members.  There are now 188 members of FWS.

Pointwise, Inc.

Rick Matus, Ph.D.

215 S. Jennings

Renaissance Development Company   (T&P Depot)

Halden Conner

100 E. 15th Street

The Rogers Group

Lee Rogers

Cassidy Corner, 201 Pecan St.

Have / Want

Henderson & Dashwood - Land 4 sale, SE corner, 15,450 sf, $135,000, across from Harris Methodist, Tom Palmer, 336-2055 x118

1208 S. Lake - For rent or sale, 1,500 sf house, 3br 2 living areas, $69,900, call Bruce Butler 461-0066

1200 & 1204 S. Lake - 4 sale, 2 adjacent 50'x100' residential lots, zoned for townhomes & duplexes, $4.50 psf, Denwood @924-1188

Pennsylvania between Travis and Hemphill - Up to 30,000 sf of commercial land, $13 to $15 psf, James Blake @ 924-1188 x3

This newsletter is being sent to 842 Fort Worth South Directors, Members and Stakeholders.

Fort Worth Southside Development District, Inc. (dba Fort Worth South, Inc.) is a private, member funded, nonprofit, organization dedicated to the revitalization of the near Southside of Fort Worth. 

The District is a 1,400-acre area bounded generally by I-30, Evans Avenue, Allen Avenue, and the Tarantula Railroad.

Don Scott - President, 1606 Mistletoe Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76104, Phone (817) 923-1649, Fax 923-1658

www.fortworthsouth.org