62 replies to this topic

[Bonfire98A]

http://goo.gl/maps/iR2hJ

 

I happened to notice today that the building shown in this Google Maps link is currently being torn down -- what did this used to be?  I also wonder what, if anything, will replace it.  

 

(It is on the SW corner of W. 10th and Collier.)

[John T Roberts]

It's the Fort Worth Police Association Building and it is being demolished for a new five story building.  Below is a link to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article.

 

http://www.star-tele...cle9638222.html

[Austin55]

Wow, this looks like a beautiful building! This is exactly the types of things Westside should be getting. Those sweeping glass wall will have some panoramic views for sure. Love that balcony to. Looks like first floor is a garage. Not so shabby at all. Nice surprise!

 

 

About what the view could look like, 

 

[dangr.dave]

I saw the demolition too when riding a b-cycle from downtown to W. 7th.

[Jimmy]

Nice.  

[johnfwd]

Wow, this looks like a beautiful building! This is exactly the types of things Westside should be getting. Those sweeping glass wall will have some panoramic views for sure. Love that balcony to. Looks like first floor is a garage. Not so shabby at all. Nice surprise!

 

 

About what the view could look like, 

 

While viewing the artist's rendering of the beautiful new Eye Works Building on W7th, I was reminded of the pile of rubble on W10th that will soon be the new FW police officers association building.  But art work shown by Austin above threw me.  Is this really going to be a "five-story" building?  Is this the correct rendering?

[John T Roberts]

According to the information that I have, Austin's rendering is the correct building for the site. 

[johnfwd]

Wow, is right!  Maybe the vertical dimensions of the art rendering as shown are deceptive as to height, but this looks too tall for a 5-story building (unless each floor has a high ceiling).  Otherwise, being more impressed than critical here, it's quite an ornate and ostentatious design for a police officers association building.

[Austin55]

Another look, now at night. Confirms the 1st level is garage.

[John T Roberts]

This building is going before the Downtown Design Review Board on Thursday, March 5th at 2:00 PM.  Below is a link to the Business Press article on the new structure.

 

http://fwbusinesspre...ot-offices.aspx

[Austin55]

 

 

For example, as the Trinity Trails project expands, the FWPOA building will enhance pedestrian-friendly growth with open spaces, trees and wide sidewalks

 

I'm glad they are building it with copliments to the community but I don't really see how the Trails have any effect on this building. 

 

It does look great, a positive little project for a high potential section of town.

[johnfwd]

 

 

 

For example, as the Trinity Trails project expands, the FWPOA building will enhance pedestrian-friendly growth with open spaces, trees and wide sidewalks

 

I'm glad they are building it with copliments to the community but I don't really see how the Trails have any effect on this building. 

 

It does look great, a positive little project for a high potential section of town.

 

Tenth Street in that area already has bicycle lanes, which I always use when bicycling to and from the Trails to my downtown office.  I suppose the sidewalk and street frontage improvements with this new project will augment pedestrian and bicycle traffic, but to a very limited extent.  Austin, where did you get the art showing this lighted building at night?

[360texas]

it looks like a CADD night time rendering

[Austin55]

I believe it was shared by the FWPOA or FWPD Facebook page.

[John T Roberts]

The Downtown Design Review Board Meeting to hear this case that was cancelled due to the snow has been rescheduled to Monday, February 16th, at 11 AM in the Pre-Council Chambers at Fort Worth City Hall.

[Austin55]

This got overshadowed by Jetta, I assume it got approved as well in the DDRB meeting? 

[John T Roberts]

The agenda is out for the DDRB Meeting in April, which is this Thursday.  The Police Officer's Association Building was continued, and it is back on the agenda for this month.

[NSFW]

Design approved! 

 

"The building, to be built at 10th and Collier streets, will have four floors of office space for the association, as well as training space and a gym. The street level will have 3,500 square feet of retail space and a 500-square-foot lobby."
 

"The rooftop will be rented for events"

 

http://www.star-tele...le18797547.html

 

With those views of downtown the event space will be popular for weddings. Depending on size of space of course. 

[renamerusk]

For the archives, isn't it appropriate now to give the thread a new name?  Fort Worth POA Building, etal?  

[johnfwd]

The last newspaper article said construction would begin in May and take eight months.  After the site was cleared and graded and fenced off, nothing further has happened.  Anyone know why the delay in getting this beautifully designed building constructed?

[John T Roberts]

The Downtown Design Review Board hearing was continued for one month.  That might have put a slight delay on the project. 

[johnfwd]

I was beginning to think this project was either delayed indefinitely or maybe dead.  But, riding my bike by there the other day, I noticed the lot has been fenced off and a sign with project architect and builder I.D. and art rendering is displayed.  I think this building will be attractive (even if somewhat extravagant looking for a police association headquarters).

[jsfslls]

Yeah, looks like they've started doing work on the lot.

[Doohickie]

I was beginning to think this project was either delayed indefinitely or maybe dead.  But, riding my bike by there the other day, I noticed the lot has been fenced off and a sign with project architect and builder I.D. and art rendering is displayed.  I think this building will be attractive (even if somewhat extravagant looking for a police association headquarters).

 

Yep.  Me too.

[johnfwd]

Happy to note that, while riding my bike by there yesterday afternoon, I saw the bulldozer back to serious site digging.  So this project is truly underway.

[johnfwd]

Does anyone know the status of this project?  Did construction cost estimates exceed the police association's fund-raising?

[rriojas71]

Does anyone know the status of this project?  Did construction cost estimates exceed the police association's fund-raising?

I'm not sure if they were maintaining the site or if they were actually about to start construction, but I drive by last week and there was a tractor on site moving dirt around. I don't know if that is any indication of work commencing on the project or not.

[Austin55]

The last ST article mentions they wanted start in May and be in the building by years end.

[johnfwd]

I suspect something has happened to delay the start of construction.  I hope that's not the case, as the architectural design of the proposed structure is magnificent.

[johnfwd]

I rode my bike by the site last Friday and noticed that the artist drawing posted on the fence had been taken down.  But red-flag markers are staked out.  Does this mean that a building is still planned but not of the magnificence depicted in the art? Has the police association been harangued for wanting to build an ostentatious "Taj Mahal", and so it's opted for a traditional austere "pill box" design?

[Austin55]

I've sent a few messages to the PA on Facebook and gotten no response.

[John T Roberts]

They can't just opt out of the previous design.  It was approved by the Downtown Design Review Board and if they made any significant changes to the building's design, it would have to go back before the DDRB for approval.  I know that several of us monitor the DDRB, and I'm not aware of them going back with major design changes.

[Doohickie]

Financing issues maybe?

[JBB]

I heard over the weekend that the contractor that cleared the site and was supposed to build the new facility has filed for bankruptcy and much of the POA's financing is tied up in the mess. The person I talked to said it's not dead, but just delayed until everything can be sorted out.

[JBB]

S-T article on the delay:

 

http://www.star-tele...e104677871.html

[johnfwd]

This leaves the question--which the S-T article could not answer and the attorney for the developer declined to comment--why 4d Circle dropped the ball.

[JBB]

The person I talked to that repeated much of the same information in the S-T article indicated that the contractor or developer was on pretty shaky financial ground, although the article doesn't mention that.

[Austin55]

Update

http://www.star-tele...e125908064.html

[JBB]

What a mess. This is why it's usually not a good idea to venture into the real estate business when that's pretty far from your purpose as an organization.

[Keller Pirate]

It is very disconcerting when the police are duped.  

[Jeriat]

Personally, I see it as a blessing in disguise. 

They need a better contractor, but also a better location, IMO. 

[johnfwd]

Personally, I see it as a blessing in disguise. 

They need a better contractor, but also a better location, IMO. 

What's wrong with the location?

[Jeriat]

 

Personally, I see it as a blessing in disguise. 

They need a better contractor, but also a better location, IMO. 

What's wrong with the location?

 

 

I feel like it should be closer to the police stations/courthouses. Several surface lots along Henderson and between Weatherford & Belknap that could be filled in. 

Just think that a police association building should be closer to already built law enforcement facilities and not sandwiched in between apartment complexes. 

[johnfwd]

I would agree, except I don't think FWPA, on account of its lobbying-style mission, needs geographic proximity to the courthouses and police stations. One of its mission statements, excerpted and quoted from its website:  "We liaison with citizens and community groups to ensure fair treatment and understanding of all members of the community."

 

What better way to do the above if you are located in proximity to the citizens.

[JBB]

Given that an overwhelming majority of officers in the city work somewhere other than in those buildings near the courthouse, I don't think moving it a few blocks north makes much of a difference.

[Jeriat]

I just feels like it's out of place... but it is what it is. 

[JBB]

The dumpster fire continues to burn:

http://www.star-tele...e136218068.html

[Austin55]

Another article on the contracter issues.

http://www.star-tele...e136218068.html

[Doohickie]

Ugh.  Dumpster fire is right.

[JBB]

The situation is not improving as the SEC is now involved:

 

http://www.star-tele...e144737304.html