64 replies to this topic

[JBB]

I couldn't find a topic from when this building was shut down.

The city is exploring options for redeveloping this vacant property.

[Joshw]

Don't know much about this building. Any history on it? Driven by it several times, but I don't know much about it.

[ron4Life]

Have anyone heard anything new about the redevelopment process of this landmark?

[ron4Life]

Have anyone heard anything new about the redevelopment process of this landmark?

So I'm assuming from the silence, that this project is on hold for now.

[RD Milhollin]

So I'm assuming from the silence, that this project is on hold for now.

Looks like the wrong assumption. The news is much better.

I spoke to the project manager in the Housing Authority for the project and he advised that the zoning request for the new parking garage (no retail on ground floor) has been approved by council, and that tentative agreements with architectural and general contracting firms are in place, and they hope to be able to begin actual work soon. Although it is too early in the process to determine when actual work will start, the project is estimated to be finished about 14 months after the first hammer falls. Bottom line: the project is moving forward.

Financing was somewhat of an early concern holding things up, as some requested federal tax credits were not approved at the state level as hoped. The redevelopment project will have retail on the ground floor with 10 floors of housing above. Some of the apartments were pretty small, so a lot of the redevelopment work will involve combining units to get larger living spaces. Before the massive bedbug infestation all units were Section 8 qualified, but the new project is slated to include provision for "Workforce Housing" which, though subsidized, is not supported to the level that Section 8 housing is.

I was advised that information on this project is normal distributed through DTFWinc, but looking through their pages the most recent project update was September 2011. My guess is that there will be an update put up on their site soon.

[ron4Life]

So I'm assuming from the silence, that this project is on hold for now.

Looks like the wrong assumption. The news is much better.

I spoke to the project manager in the Housing Authority for the project and he advised that the zoning request for the new parking garage (no retail on ground floor) has been approved by council, and that tentative agreements with architectural and general contracting firms are in place, and they hope to be able to begin actual work soon. Although it is too early in the process to determine when actual work will start, the project is estimated to be finished about 14 months after the first hammer falls. Bottom line: the project is moving forward.

That is good news! Thanks for the update

[ron4Life]

Ok so this project is definitly happening right?

[John T Roberts]

A four story parking garage on the site is going to be reviewed on June 6th by the Downtown Design Review Board.

[Austin55]

Can I ask what the review process involves?

[John T Roberts]

Here is the link to the City's website detailing the Downtown Design Review Board.

 

http://fortworthtexa...t.aspx?id=43690

 

Once an owner, or their representative has a plan developed for their project in downtown, they present their design to a panel appointed by the City Council.  The project must conform to the design guidelines set up for downtown.  If there are any deviations, then they must be asked for at these hearings.  The Board meets on the first Thursday of every month at 2:00 PM at City Hall.  I have posted all of their hearing dates for 2013 on the Forum Calendar.  The Board consists of business owners, architects or design professionals, and real estate professionals.

[dangr.dave]

Don't let the bedbugs bite!

 

The hunter has become the hunted by dangr.dave, on Flickr

[John T Roberts]

Very funny, Dave!  The DDRB approved the parking garage.

[RD Milhollin]

Good news for the rehab project. Now if those in a position to suggest it could get standards for parking garages to include ground-level retail or similar. 

[ron4Life]

Don't let the bedbugs bite! - dave

 

That is amazing of that occurring seeming that it can get pretty hot here...

 

Good news about this facility getting close to rehabing stage

[dangr.dave]

In the news:

 

http://www.star-tele...-authority.html

 

"And some exterior design and architectural work to change the building’s appearance won’t be done." 

Read more here: http://www.star-tele...l#storylink=cpy"

[Thurman52]

Looks like the garage will be tight. Looking for variances from city for space and ramps to be smaller than code. http://fortworthtexa...enda 7_3_13.pdf

[Austin55]

Thoughts on how it looks? I don't know what exterior changes won't be included, but to me that whole new crown looks pretty awkward on the red brick tower. Certainly an interesting looking garage to. Excitwd to see ositive improvment.

[John T Roberts]

The top does look awkward.  The paper doesn't say what exterior changes will or won't be done.  I guess we will have to wait to see what is actually built.

[Jeriat]

Thoughts on how it looks? I don't know what exterior changes won't be included, but to me that whole new crown looks pretty awkward on the red brick tower. Certainly an interesting looking garage to. Excitwd to see ositive improvment.

 

Reading the S-T article, I don't think it's gonna look exactly like this. 

[ron4Life]

Reading the S-T article, I don't think it's gonna look exactly like this. 

 

I agree. that's crazy that because the downtown housing market has flourish and the median is a bit expensive, that they feel that they have to reduce on layout concepts as a whole from previous ideas. smh..

[Austin55]

Been wondering whats up here, obviously nothing despite some reports of an early 2014 start. Loopnet, updated 7 days ago, mentions the lease space for the ground floor as being available in July 2015. Anyone know more?

 

 

Also included is this rendering, which certianly looks toned down from the one shown last year by the ST, but I'm not sure if its the most recent.

 

[youngalum]

Looks like a hospital instead of apartments

[John T Roberts]

The architects are not changing the facade.  The only change is the addition of the parking garage.  Therefore, I guess you could say that it looks like a hospital now.

[dangr.dave]

Looks like a hospital instead of apartments

 

Will it have a bedbug ward?

[qmcgown]

I'm glad to see that the ultimate design decison retained the mid-century facade as crafted by architect Charles Armstrong. His Fortune Arms luxury apartment building attempted to introduce East Coast high-rise living to a city that wasn't quite ready for it. At about the same time, the Westchester House at Summit and Pennsylvania attracted a similar wealthy tenant mix, but neither project held onto the cachet as the central city addresses became less attractive throughout the 60's and 70's. Happy to see new life for the old building, though.

[renamerusk]

I'm glad to see that the ultimate design decison retained the mid-century facade as crafted by architect Charles Armstrong..... Happy to see new life for the old building, though.

 

It reminds me a bit like Solana in West Lake.  I have always liked the dual brick facade.

[Citygeek]

This could have been so cool. 

[Jeriat]

This could have been so cool. 

 

At this point, with THIS building, being "cool" isn't nearly as important as being functional. 

 

And that's what Hunter Plaza needs most. Hell, that entire area, really. I know it's near jails and all, but it doesn't have to feel like it...

[Austin55]

I'm glad the looks aren't being changed, I've always thought it was a decent looking building. It is in a challenging area, with the jails north, the FUMC south, and that big superblock between it and the core.
 

[prideftw]

I think the building is cool as is. I just hope that the area around the building gets built up a little. I know its close to the jails but it doesn't have to feel that way

[johnfwd]

Walking downtown this morning, I noticed construction fencing around the Hunter Plaza building.  I guess the remodeling project is starting.

[Austin55]

Starts Wednesday.

http://fwbusinesspre...za-rebuild.aspx

[JBB]

That's great! Hopefully this spurs more development in that area of downtown and more residential diversity.

[RD Milhollin]

Here is a link to a Channel 5 NBC KXAS spot on the Hunter Plaza renovation.

 

http://​http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Old-Empty-Building-Getting-New-Life-Millions-Invested-281685901.html?partner=nbcnews?par=nbcnews&site=nbcnews.com&cm_ven=nbcnews&cm_cat=Article

 

I like the idea of mixing "market-rate" and lower-cost apartments in the same building or development. Having all subsidized housing together has led to a history of poor conditions and lack of opportunity for residents, especially in the larger "project" type developments. Having lower rent units next to places offering employment opportunities can only be a good idea all around. The upper floors of this building would be a very desirable place for more upper-scale apartments, especially for lawyers and government employees given the neighborhood. 

[Austin55]

Does anyone know if the garage will be built in such a way that the street behind the building (Cherry) will be able to be reopened? 

 

[John T Roberts]

Austin, for at least the last 62 years, Cherry never went through.  I'm not real sure that it ever did, because www.historicaerials.com indicates a house at the end of Cherry Street on 1st Street.  Behind that house appears to be a rooming house or small apartment building.  In the next block was the John Peter Smith Elementary School, then the edge of the First Methodist Church property.  In 1952, Cherry picked up again at West 7th Street.  I remember when they extended it to 5th Street

[Austin55]

Here's some updates, garage construction has started to go vertical. Inside I can see metal framing for walls going up but it's hard to get shots of. 

 

 

[JannaR]

Hunter Plaza is projected to start moving people in sometime in December.  It will be a totally different Hunter Plaza than in the past.  There will be Market Rates and Affordable Rates just like Hillside Apartments (that I have managed for 18 yrs).  I will be doing the Lease Up and the Leasing Criteria will be strict, just like Hillside has always been, which is why Hillside has been the best apartment community downtown for 18 years!!!! 

[renamerusk]

Welcome JannaR.  I look forward to reading your future comments regarding the downtown housing market.

 

 Renamerusk

[JannaR]

Update on Hunter Plaza......the top 4 floors are scheduled to open in late November/early December.

 

AGAIN...this will be a totally different Hunter Plaza than in the past.  It will NOT be Public Housing.  The website is up and running and the address is hunterplaza.com.  There are 19 different floor plans with affordable and market rates from $725 to $1400 per month.  It's all about qualifying and the qualifications to be approved for residency will be strict.

[Brian Luenser]

^  Side note: Janna managing the property means it will be a great asset downtown...  she is the only manager Hillside (downtown) has ever had and that property is, and always has been, first class. Tough love.  Works. She is super nice but insists on people following the rules.  

[Dylan]

Welcome back, Brian!

[Austin55]

Janna, can I ask if the retail spaces have drawn any interest? 

[JannaR]

Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. is handling the Commercial spaces and I hear there has been interest but I don't know any details.

[renamerusk]

Looks like a hospital instead of apartments

 

 

 

I'm glad to see that the ultimate design decison retained the mid-century facade as crafted by architect Charles Armstrong..... Happy to see new life for the old building, though.

 

It reminds me a bit like Solana in West Lake.  I have always liked the dual brick facade.

 

 

Repeating, I believe that this is a handsome and is an interesting building in spite of the criticism and the few slights aimed in its direction. 

 

Congratulations Fort Worth Housing Authority and Janna R. for a marvelous restoration.

[John T Roberts]

Brian, it is good to have you posting over here, again!  Janna, thanks for the information.

[beverlyb]

I looked online for leasing information, but couldn't find it. Anyone have the website for the property?

[JannaR]

hunterplaza.com is the website.....there is a contact number you can call and leave your information and someone will get back to you. 

[Doohickie]

the qualifications to be approved for residency will be strict.

 

What will be strict about it?  Income?  (What range?)  Other factors?  No pets allowed?

[JannaR]

Everyone must have 6 months out of the last year of VERIFIABLE rental history with another apartment community, management company or mortgage company.........we don't verify with individuals (friends, family).  Must make 2-1/2 times the amount of the monthly rent.  I think the lowest rent will be around $725 per month so income would have to be at least $21,000 per year.  Must have 75% or better credit and no criminal history. 

 

Legally we have to accept dogs but they will have to be under 10lbs (full grown) and registered with the city and vet records to prove shots and weight.  There is no green space anywhere around the building.  Indoor only cats are fine.  What else can I tell you?  Go check out all the floors plans on the website........hunterplaza.com