11 replies to this topic

[johnfwd]

The former Chase bank drive-in on east Weatherford Street will finally give way to expanded offices and a parking garage for Tarrant County government employees.  Story in FWBP.  This is probably a long-term plan, so the bank drive-in property may be there for awhile.

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http://www.fortworth...c8861eed90.html

[JBB]

We discussed it yesterday in another thread yesterday:

http://www.fortworth...c=5268&p=105782

For some reason, the bank being put up for sale sparked a discussion in that thread because there was some idea that it might end up as a residential project. Maybe John can move those posts into this new thread.

The drive in won't be there long according to the Star Telegram article's statement that "demolition will begin in weeks."

[renamerusk]

I guess that's better than surface parking.Hopefully it can be done somewhat attractively. Office space on the ground floor is better than parking on the ground floor to. Seems weird they'd only need a single floor but I'm sure we'll learn more soon.....County is spending a fortune on this.

 

Yes to everything you've pointed out. 

 

The site is one of the higher profile gateways into Downtown; there should be consideration to building something both interesting and productive.  On the ground floor, maybe a grocers to meet the demands of the nearby neighborhood; on levels 2-3 perhaps administrative space; and 4-8, parking for court business and employees. Without specifics, its impossible to know what is planned,  but it would be good if the county put a lit thought into the project.

[Austin55]

When you consider Southern Land Co stated they had tried acquiring other plots, you've got to wonder if this was one of them, and what another developer could have done here. 

[renamerusk]

Bennett, Benner & Partners to lead design of Tarrant County Surface Parking Lot.

[rriojas71]

They paid all that money for a surface parking lot? Was that taxpayer money?

[Austin55]

Assuming they can squeeze 120 spaces on to the lot that will be $50,000 per space.

[JBB]

The surface lot is short term.  

[renamerusk]

The surface lot is short term.  

 

 I don't get why a surface parking lot requires the input of the more prominent architectural firms in the City.

[John T Roberts]

Basically, it is due to city regulations.  My firm Halbach-Dietz Architects designed this parking lot diagonally across Weatherford Street.

 

https://www.google.c...!7i13312!8i6656

[renamerusk]

I admit that I didn't think that much thought is given when designing a surface parking lot; especially from what is seen of the many lots that are currently in use. The former Landmark Tower surface parking lot that is now a multi-level garage was nicely done even though it was a surface parking lot. 

 

B&BP will probably do a top-notch job in designing a surface parking lot at this really high profile gateway location.

[John T Roberts]

The parking lot at the old Landmark Tower site had an architect involve because of the design of the lot and concrete block trash enclosure, the block walls at the corners, and the fence design.  People involved in the design of parking lots in downtown have to be aware of the Downtown Urban Design Guidelines and Standards.  These parking lots often involve civil engineers, MEP engineers, and landscape architects due to the city's regulations.

 

By the way, I was the project architect on the parking lot across the street.