12 replies to this topic

[McHand]

Now that I've been visiting the east side for a year as a Wesleyan student, I've seen parts of the city that I hadn't seen before. Some of that includes real blight...not the imagined "blight" of undeveloped land on 35-N (read: Cabela's).

So here's my TIF wishlist:

1) Vaughan Avenue, from Berry to Rosedale
2) Rosedale in Poly
3) Biddison, from Hemphill to McCart. (Not sure there will be economic development exactly, but I would like to see the street get a little more care as a main thoroughfare between McCart and Hemphill - more traffic lights, bike lanes.)

[Ron Payne]

I hate to admit my ignorance, but the only 'TIF' I'm familiar with is the TIFF format on a scanner...

Please enlighten those of us who are un-ED-u-macated in such matters (god - I hope I'm not the only one! LOL)

[Russ Graham]

I don't have any really good ideas to add, since I rarely go outside my own little designated sections of town... but I would guess there are lots of places in Ft Worth that could use some urban revitalization and TLC. I went to an event at Race Street a month or so ago, first time I've been in that part of town, and it's a really cool little neighborhood. They have their own little business district, lots of historic bungalow type houses, a little "arts district" of a couple of working studios next to each other. No idea if any specific tax break would help them continue their progress though.

[downtowndweller]

Race Street is in the Six Points TIF, if I recall correctly.

[mmmdan]

I hate to admit my ignorance, but the only 'TIF' I'm familiar with is the TIFF format on a scanner...

Please enlighten those of us who are un-ED-u-macated in such matters (god - I hope I'm not the only one! LOL)

In a nutshell, a TIF is where the city freezes the amount of property taxes from an area that goes into the general fund. Any increase in property taxes over the frozen amount goes into a special fund for improvements to that area.

The specifics are a little more complicated, but that is the general idea.

[Ron Payne]

OK thanks - sort of like California's Prop 13, except the homeowner's keep getting increases while the government is trusted to spend it on their area...

[McHand]

Thanks, mmmdan. I should have put explained myself better.

Race Street is a good example of a Tax-Increment Finance district working well, I think. I would like to see more...who wouldn't though?

[Urbndwlr]

Several place but certainly the greater Cultural District/ near west side.

[McHand]

Here's a current list:

 

http://fortworthtexas.gov/hed/tif/

 

The cultural district has a lot of private money pouring into it already, but i do agree that it needs a lot of street work.

[Doohickie]

1) Vaughan Avenue, from Berry to Rosedale
2) Rosedale in Poly
3) Biddison, from Hemphill to McCart. (Not sure there will be economic development exactly, but I would like to see the street get a little more care as a main thoroughfare between McCart and Hemphill - more traffic lights, bike lanes.)

 

I think 1) and 2) could possibly be a single TIF, anchored by TWU.

 

3)  Like you said, it's hard to imagine economic development along that stretch, but yeah, bike lanes would be cool; I ride in that area regularly.  Maybe think big and make the whole area from Berry down to I-20, from McCart to Hemphill, a TIF, including the Berry Hemphill Urban Village, Shaw-Clarke, Rosemont and SW Baptist Seminary areas.  It's already a pretty decent area in terms of safety (I ride though there at all hours of the day, and I know you live there), but it could definitely use some economic development.  Maybe pump some money into the urban village, but also help Hemphill further south get a better-defined identity (could be a hip, Latino quarter), and maybe feed the area with a rode diet on James to facilitate bike travel for the urban sprawlers like me that live south of 20, to bring us into the city core by bike.  (I already do, but it could encourage others.)

 

I don't have any really good ideas to add, since I rarely go outside my own little designated sections of town... but I would guess there are lots of places in Ft Worth that could use some urban revitalization and TLC. I went to an event at Race Street a month or so ago, first time I've been in that part of town, and it's a really cool little neighborhood. They have their own little business district, lots of historic bungalow type houses, a little "arts district" of a couple of working studios next to each other. No idea if any specific tax break would help them continue their progress though.

 

Race Street is getting a road diet, I'm pretty sure.  I could see that become a second Magnolia; both areas share characteristics of being a business district adjacent to older, gentrifying residential areas.

[McHand]

Race Street is getting a road diet, I'm pretty sure.  I could see that become a second Magnolia; both areas share characteristics of being a business district adjacent to older, gentrifying residential areas.

 

I like your ideas Doohikie!

The more funky, walkable areas in FW, the better.  It will create healthy competition for those districts and give people more choices.  

 

Does anyone know if Wal Mart got any kind of TIF deal? I'm sure they got some kind of tax break. 

[Doohickie]

Is there a TIF that covers that location?  I didn't think so.

[McHand]

You're right, they probably didn't. I thought "Southside/Medical District" extended that far south but it doesn't.