Report to Members & Partners September 2001 Gateway Purchase Offer - On September 20, 2001 Fort Worth South, Inc. presented a purchase offer to the City of Fort Worth to purchase a nine (9) acre site located in the northeast quadrant of Forest Park Boulevard and W. Rosedale Street. The city owned property, commonly known as the Armory site, was occupied by City Parks and Community Services Department until 1987 when asbestos contamination prevented its continued use. In 1998, the structures were destroyed by fire and subsequently removed. Fort Worth South’s objective is to assure that the site, which is the western gateway to the medical district and adjacent to the Mistletoe Heights residential neighborhood, is developed in a quality and appropriate fashion. Vickery TOD - The Fort Worth Transportation Authority, with the support of the City of Fort Worth and Fort Worth South, Inc., interviewed officials of Renaissance Development on August 29 in connection with the search for a developer to build the Vickery Transit Oriented Development. The T has now asked Renaissance Managing Partner, Ed Casebier, to submit a detailed development plan for the development of the T’s property, located on the north side of Vickery Boulevard, west of S. Main Street. Magnolia Village - Real estate development is often more difficult in the urban sector than on greenfield sites at the edges of the city. Sometimes incentives and special assistance are necessary to make central city deals work. Fort Worth South, Inc. has been working for some time with Quicksilver Resources on a mixed-use development plan for the property between Rosedale and Magnolia, west of Hemphill (excluding Paris Coffee). One of the important steps in the process was taken recently when the staff of the North Texas Council of Governments recommended to the Regional Transportation Commission that $1.233 million in streetscape improvements be dedicated to this project. Magnolia Village was one of 19 Metroplex projects endorsed by COG and one of four in the City of Fort Worth. Following final approval on October 11, a total of $30 million will be allocated to the winning projects. This program is part of an innovative federal Land Use/Transportation Joint Venture Project which funds transit oriented, sustainable development projects. A private match of 20% of the grant is required. Magnolia Railroad Crossings - On September 26, a meeting of property owners, the UP Railroad, city and TX DOT officials was held at FWS to determine the actions necessary to permanently close the railroad crossings on E. Magnolia between S. Main and the I-35 frontage road. This will likely require the construction of a new public roadway access from W. Rosedale, south to two existing businesses located on Magnolia between the railroads. It may be of interest to some, and please many truckers, to learn that the three existing railroad overpasses will be replaced by four new railroad bridges, all with sufficient vertical clearances! Traffic Counts - The City’s Transportation and Public Works Department has updated the traffic counts on primary streets in the District. A sampling of the vehicles per day on some of the most prominent corridors include: Eighth at West Rosedale - 20,750; Henderson north of Pennsylvania - 20,340; Hemphill at West Rosedale - 16,530; South Main north of Rosedale - 8,460; Pennsylvania at 6th - 12,810; Rosedale at 12th Avenue - 30,320; Rosedale east of Main - 31,620; Rosedale at Evans - 17,400; West Magnolia at College - 7,930; West Rosedale at College - 23,400; Allen at College - 6,210; Allen at Main - 19,790. Arts Fifth Avenue - Eddie Dunlap and Gracey Tune have just reclaimed a wonderful old building at the corner of Allen Avenue and Fifth Avenue (1628 5th Avenue) in the Fairmount neighborhood and are using it as a music and dance studio. Drum, tap, voice, guitar, and acting lessons will be offered Monday through Saturday. Eddie is the Director of the Fort Worth Mondo Drummers and Gracey’s business is called Arts on Tap. For info call 923-9500. The Southside has always been home to creative folks in the visual and performing arts community. However, often the product of their talent is displayed other places in the city. We are now beginning to see more evidence of their talent displayed locally. On Gallery Night literally thousands visited the four galleries on Park Place Avenue. Nominating Committee - At the end of each calendar year the Chairman of Fort Worth South, Inc., appoints a person to serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee. Jim Watts has asked Cheryl White, Director Property Management with Texas Health System, to assume this role. Cheryl will select the remainder of the seven person nominating committee and begin the task of identifying candidates to fill positions being vacated by directors whose terms are expiring. The committee will develop a slate of new Board candidates, suggest new corporate officers, and make additions to the various operating committees. The membership will vote on the slate at the annual meeting to be held in the evening of January 22, 2002. If you have an interest in getting involved on the Board or on a committee (development, finance, marketing, or transportation) please call Cheryl White at 882-2115 or Don Scott at 923-1649. Nancy Berger - We are extremely pleased to announce that Fort Worth South, Inc. has hired its second employee. Nancy Berger comes to FWS most recently from the Tarrant County College Foundation office. She brings significant administrative talents that will enhance FWS’s efficiency and productivity. All current employees of the company were especially pleased! Board meeting - The 35 members of the Board of Directors of Fort Worth South, Inc. will hold their quarterly meeting at 4:00 PM, Tuesday, October 9 at Thistle Hill (house museum), 1509 Pennsylvania Avenue. As has been our policy, the 204 members of the company, as well as any others interested in the revitalization initiative, are invited to join the directors during their one-hour business meeting. Parking is off Pruitt Street, which borders Thistle Hill to the south. Mixer at the Chat Room - Immediately following the board and membership meeting, everyone is invited to attend a mixer at the newly opened internet Chat Room club, located at 1263 W. Magnolia. The mixer is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM. Partner’s Breakfast - The fifth gathering of FWS members who want to just talk business will be held at 8 AM, Wednesday, October 3 at Brown Owens & Brumley, Funeral Directors, 425 S. Henderson. These very focused business networking gatherings are held at 8 AM on the first Wednesday of each month at a member’s place of business. 60 members have attended past sessions. Monte Brown is this month’s host. Have / Want Want - a reasonably new computer for use by the kids at the Fairmount neighborhood library, David Cantu-Crouch, 924-3528 Members - Welcome and thanks to the four most recent new members of Fort Worth South, Inc. Current membership is 204.
"Fort Worth South, Inc. relies on the revenues from membership dues and contributions to sustain its operations. Anticipated 2001 revenues are $223,000. If you do, or will, derive value from the revitalization of the near southside, please consider becoming a member. It will help accelerate the pace of change. If you don’t think you are, or will, benefit, call me! Membership applications are available on the web site or at the number below." Don Scott This information is being sent to 920 Fort Worth South, Inc. members and partners. Fort Worth Southside Development District, Inc. is a private, member funded, non-profit development company dedicated to the revitalization of the near Southside of the city. Current and past issues of this newsletter are available at www.fortworthsouth.com. Don Scott-President, 1606 Mistletoe Boulevard, Fort Worth,, TX 76104, Phone (817)923-1649 |
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