johnfwd

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/

On my way back from the very, very busy Westworth Village area last night, going south on Alta Mere Drive, I glanced at what used to be a bustling Ridgmar Mall.  Dark and mostly vacant.  How sad!  I remember how wonderful it was to dine at the El Fenix restaurant there around Christmastime.  As went Carswell AFB and the Strategic Air Command by the end of the 1980s, so went, eventually, Ridgmar Mall.

Thanks for posting the newest photos of the West 7th "skyline."  How this area has changed in 25 years!  I remember walking along 7th with my sister back then.  We ate lunch at that old Greek restaurant, which is no longer there.  As was the old Texaco service station on the corner.

Aside from who owns and who leases, I have an idea for the future course of the train.  Of course, the tracks at present run through the park, over the river bridge, then back to the park.  Maybe a total mile both ways?   As a kid, I remember being excited by the fact that I was riding on a miniature train. My concept is to increase the length of the train ride and add to the trees-and-river scenery with miniature stores, houses, and a lighted train crossing along the way (like the toy train track sets).  Maybe, too, running the train at night with festive lights along the way.

This idea for embellishing the Forest Park ride came from my memory of the exciting ride on the Leonard's Toyland Train at Christmas time.

I'm glad this century-old building's historical design is going to be preserved.  But when I drive by this structure and the narrow tract upon which it sits, I still can't help wondering how that senior-citizens living center is going to be squeezed in to fit around it.  And still leave room for parking.  I've seen the art drawing but won't be convinced until the site is fully developed.

 

Goodguys car show firm relocates HQ from California to Texas Motor Speedway

 

 

https://www.dallasne...motor-speedway/

 

Dallas-Fort Worth’s central location is once again attracting a business relocation from California.

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, the world’s largest hot-rod association and producer of two dozen car shows and events around the country, has moved its headquarters to the 10-story Lone Star Tower overlooking a turn at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

 

It's not really bringing any jobs to the area, but it is an actual RELOCATION.  

 

And side note...can Lonestar Tower go on the list as one of the ugliest buildings in Fort Worth?  I haven't seen it in a long time, but I've always thought  it looked like a prefab concrete warehouse on the bottom with a Motel 6 sitting on top! 

 

Not surprising the Dallas Morning News describes a relocation to FORT WORTH by starting the sentence "Dallas-Fort Worth's central location."  Whatever that means.

Last post by me, I had forgotten.  Just an observation about three evanescent moments encountering the "sleepers." 

The first was early last Friday morning while bicycling on the Trails northward past that apartment complex that has two or three benches under trees just off the river. Most of you bicyclists know where I'm talking about.  Reclining on one of the benches was a man, looked like in his early 30s.  Sleeping bag and other stuff beside him.  I shined a bicycle light on him just because I didn't know what it was at first.  Which caused him to look up and grumble about being annoyed.  So, I hurriedly biked on.

The second encounter was early this morning, shortly before 6:00, when I drove into a surface parking lot adjacent to the office building where I work.  A young woman, maybe about 18, was lying on the back porch of the building.  Area is not lighted.  I decided to wait in my car until she slowly got up to gather her little blanket and other things to put them in two small plastic bags.  I felt I didn't want to embarrass her (?) Eventually, I got out of the car just as she was starting to leave.  She gave me a blank stare in departing.

Last encounter was this hot afternoon today while I was walking along the T&P Warehouse toward the P.O. to mail a letter.  A man, he looked to be about early middle age, was lying on the cement under the metal hang-down thing (canopy?).  Next to him was a supermarket basket filled with bags of his stuff.  He was asleep.  I quickly walked past.

No political statement here, just an observation about the misfortunate plight of a small segment of us living, or maybe just passing through, Fort Worth.

I think state and local government rental assistance money is gone.  A few dollars from some non-profit charity may still be available.  Fort Worth Housing Solutions is the source for HUD-based rent subsidies in our area.

Trying to enforce a Texas money judgment against an evicted tenant is like--yes, you got it--trying to squeeze blood out of a turnip. Probably best to write it down as a business loss.