johnfwd

Getting back to the structural report (Post #519), its conclusion is not encouraging with respect to redevelopment.  It suggests the $2.1 million spent on repairs would be a stopgap measure and not even sufficient to handle increased occupancy if the building is remodeled. 

During the current drought the building is safe from further water damage. But I have an ominous feeling that heavy rains will follow this drought.  And that $2 million price tag for repairs is likely to trend upward as more time goes by.  If I were the property owner, I would be seriously considering avoiding such status quo expenses and let the city take it over.  I don't know much about the demolition costs versus rehab costs assessment.  But I suspect the land being cleared of that old relic would be a valuable asset for re-sale to a seriously ambitious developer.  Lest we forget, this is in downtown, which is going to be experiencing future development with projects like the new convention center, Omni hotel expansion, and the growing A&M campus.  These projects are in the vicinity of Lancaster Avenue.

Here's one that's going after many, many years.  I drove by it heading south on Williams Road from Camp Bowie Boulevard.  On the left side, you've probably seen this old former house that became a barbecue sit down and take out.  Then, it went from one pub to another.  Nothing historical here, not like the Berry Theater, but I grew up on this side of town and it was a fixture. My dad used to pick up some barbecue ribs at this place.  About 20 years ago, a guy from Australia named Gilley or Guinness (?) ran a pub there for a brief while.  Lately, a guy named Randy(?) took it over.  It had a nice outdoor wooden patio.  Today it was being demolished.  Sad. I'll miss it a little, but not much.

Another non-political observation but I think a good one.  If you notice, each time the price of oil falls on account of lesser global demand, the Saudis and their cartel buddies either actually cut production or say they're going to do that.  Oil traders panic and the price goes up.  Concomitantly, the price of gasoline at the pump goes up.  In the very distant future, when the globe becomes more efficient with alternative fuels, OPEC is going to be in trouble.  The royal families and their fiefdoms will be in trouble, and their Dubai-wealthy brethren will have to look for other means of income or alter their luxurious lifestyles.

Hmmm.  As an attorney I've had a lot of cases in JP Court there.  If the first floor is going to be gutted, I wonder if the court will have to be temporarily re-located.

Not only is Fort Worth growing, but the "suburban" communities are, as well.  Benbrook, which is south of where I live, is a good example.  This community is experiencing residential and economic development.  The problem with Fort Worth is that its city limits is interspersed with some of these communities--Benbrook, Cityview, Haltom City are examples.  What is the population of the "Fort Worth Metropolitan area?"

Here's an update from Fort Worth Inc.

https://fortworthinc...2026E7643790G2W

Being a Fort Worth native, I'm biased.  But I can see Fort Worth surpassing these other cities in population because our city is--overall--a good place to reside, work, and enjoy cultural and recreational activities.  Surprisingly, our traffic system is not overwhelmed like it is in Dallas.  The city has  shown far-sightedness in encouraging the expansion of higher education institutions--notably A&M, UNT, TCU, and Tarleton State.  We have a walkable downtown with attractive tourist sites such as the Water Gardens and Sundance Square Plaza.  We have a city where museums and rodeos compete for tourist dollars. Dickie's Arena is our newest venue for sports activities.  And there's plenty of available land for economic and residential development on all sides of FW.  We have a rosy future ahead of us here.

During the QT construction, NW 13th from Florence to Henderson has been blocked off to traffic.  I think the city should close this street at that location permanently.  That might help relieve some of the potential traffic congestion caused by QT.

FWBP has an article on Terra's return.  I'm glad, as I had dined there many times for lunch.  I don't understand why this popular restaurant ever left Crockett Row.

https://fortworthbus...o-crockett-row/

Yes, it's a cool video.  I just wish it included more of the "funky town" image, with fewer of the cowboy rodeo scenes.  I like cowboys and the rodeo.  But this still leans a bit more towards "cowtown."

Good shot from a southeastern perspective.  It's too bad this residential tower tops out at 27 floors.  Unfortunately for tenants, their view to the west will be obstructed by the twin towers.  

The Mullet, if that is what it comes to be known as, would be a welcome addition to the modern cosmopolitan look of West Seventh and of the city as a whole.

We've been discussing this for decades now.  The building has been unoccupied since the haunted house and paint ball days of what, the 1980s?  Many Fort Worthian adults around that time are now either on social security or in the grave.  The city doesn't know what to do about a barely rehabilitated structure that does have historical WPA-era value.  The owner appears intractable about re-development.  If it was merely a small structure along Lancaster we could ignore it, but it has an imposing presence on the southside of downtown.  Maybe by the year 2050 something will be done with it.

Of course, the game turned out to be very lopsided in Georgia's favor and TCU fans came away disappointed if not depressed.  But TCU got to a national championship game and that is no small achievement when you consider how biased the ranking system is in my opinion.  Hooray, Horned Frogs!  And I'm glad Fort Worth was in the national sports spotlight for at least a short time, and the country forgot the Dallas Cowboys at least for a day.

On the subject of multi-family residential development in or near the Stockyards, the City Council has put a stop to future projects in a recent vote on zoning.  Not sure this link was posted in the forum elsewhere but here's the article from FWBP.  

https://fortworthbus...ing-stockyards/