ramjet

I know this will not be a popular position on the forum, but I just don't think the ROI on urban rail would make sense in Fort Worth. I see daily the empty Molly the Trolley, the orange line, and the Route 1 bus moving through downtown with no or very few people riding.  BTW, why are Trinity Metro busses so BIG?  Especially when they have so few riders?  I think the folks in Austin are having some major buyers remorse for approving raising property taxes to build urban rail that is still many years away.

If I was a school administrator, I would wait 3-4 years to see how the voucher system plays out (if it's passed) before committing to new facilities.  I don't have kids, but if I did I would be looking for a private Christian school for them.  The current public school model has utterly failed, and we need new, out of the box ideas.  A lot of kids ain't learnin' right now.

 

I've become a bit of a pessimist when it comes to proposed new development (started in Austin and continued in Fort Worth), but I never thought that site would develop as proposed.  Maybe an Urban Trader Joes would be good for that block?  We really need a grocery store to serve downtown and the near Southside.

 

...why Austin? 

 

 

I lived in Austin for 16 years (2006 - 2022).  I acknowledge that there was a lot of successful development in Austin in that period. But if I had a dollar for every project that was announced with great fanfare and never made it past the renderings, I'd have a nice chunk of money.

They lost Neiman's but gained KFC: https://www.cnbc.com...y-to-texas.html

I don't know if you meant to be funny, but I'm laughing out loud.

It was announced that the downtown Neiman Marcus is closing, as is their headquarters in Cityplace.

https://www.dallasne...owntown-dallas/

That's very sad news.  The downtown store is a very cool building, especially inside.  I hope the building has a great reuse future.

 

The project at Vickery and Hemphill is huuuuuge!  I pass by it multiple times a week and am always struck about how large the whole complex has become.  Given this new influx, and the influx of housing downtown, the near Southside, the hospital district, and Fairmount It seems the area could be at a tipping point to support an urban oriented HEB.  The closest grocery store is either across the river on West 7th or all the way down at Hemphill and West Berry.  (I'd vote for a Trader Joe's serving this area if HEB isn't interested.)  

 

I'd shop there.  Only request is better parking but spare me the lecture about that's how Trader Joe's designs their parking lots...I've been to other T-J's and you just pull in and park with no hassle.  Someone screwed up on Hulen, let's just call it what it is....that lot was too small to begin with.

 

I was living in Austin at the time, but when Trader Joe's announced they were opening in Fort Worth, I wondered a bit how it would be received there.  Maybe they didn't anticipate how popular it would actually end up being and didn't plan for the volume of shoppers that it would attract.  I can't think of another spot for a bigger Trader Joes in that area other than Clearfork.  Getting back on topic, an urban HEB would be cool in Clearfork as well.  I've been to new HEB in Tarrytown in Austin, and it's a terrifically fun place to grocery shop.  Beautiful, too.

The project at Vickery and Hemphill is huuuuuge!  I pass by it multiple times a week and am always struck about how large the whole complex has become.  Given this new influx, and the influx of housing downtown, the near Southside, the hospital district, and Fairmount It seems the area could be at a tipping point to support an urban oriented HEB.  The closest grocery store is either across the river on West 7th or all the way down at Hemphill and West Berry.  (I'd vote for a Trader Joe's serving this area if HEB isn't interested.)  

Really nice pics, Stadtplan!  And thanks again John for a terrific tour.  I have not spent a lot time on the east end of downtown while afoot.  There's some really interesting architecture in that area.  I was trying to envision what it will look like when the A&M complex is completed, and when the two additional apartment complexes are opened.  With the right mix of bars, restaurants, retail, residences, and hotels, I can see the East End (trying out a new name for the area) becoming a destination. Maybe one of the parking lots could be turned into a public square with fountains and music! 

Just a tip for those who like Indian food:  We've been disappointed that there didn't seem to be a lot of Indian restaurants in Fort Worth.  In fact, we would take the train to downtown Dallas for Indian food when the mood hit.  But that changed today.

We tried Texas Indian Kabab and Grill on Trail Lake Drive in Fort Worth.  Hands down it was the best Indian food I've had here in Texas, including during our time in Austin.  The restaurant is super clean, their service is excellent, and the prices are very reasonable.  And the food tasted like it was from someone's home kitchen. They've been open about 8 months according to our server.  I highly recommend it for any one who likes Indian food. 

I like to put my hands on and get a feel for the product.  I was batting about .500 with online purchases on sizing, functionality, and actually looking like the web pic and description.  If I'm looking for something these days, I'd rather go to a brick and mortar store to check it out before buying.

I know I sound like a broken record, but to me, the decline and neglect of Ridgmar Mall is yet another failure of the city's government and economic development entities.  Before I get the comments, I know these folks don't have direct power over a private property, but they do have the bully pulpit, and other levers to encourage redevelopment.

That is a prime spot on in an area surrounded by transportation resources, affluent households, and is a gateway to the new Walsh Ranch and Parker County expanded parts of the city.  I love Fort Worth very much, but I continue to see so much complacency in its leadership.  It really makes me chafe.  There should not be a ghost mall in that spot, especially for this long.

My vote is for a Nordstrom Rack for the Macy's space at West Bend.

Fort Worths Panther Island riverfront project has seen years of delays. Whats next?
By Jaime Moore-Carrillo December 31, 2024 12:43 PM
https://www.star-tel...l#storylink=cpy

I would say there should be a Plan B for the area, but like much in Fort Worth that I've observed over the past two years, there doesn't appear to be a person who is leading the charge and making things happen by utilizing influence.  I doubt there is a plan B.  It's easy to miss deadlines and shift blame when a multi-headed hydra is shaping and building the Panther Island project with no one clearly steering the ship.  The Hoover Dam was completed in 5 years, 2 years early.  We're in different times now.

Playing with the "noir" setting.  (Beautiful day to take pictures today.)

Dogtopia has a new mural on their wall facing West Lancaster: