40 replies to this topic

[John T Roberts]

On Saturday, March 2, at 9:30 AM, Mayor Price is going to kick off her Town Hall Meetings.  Her office called me a couple of weeks ago and asked me to lead a Downtown Walking Tour.  It will be geared toward architecture.  The festivities will be in the Sundance Square Plaza.  The Mayor is also leading one of her famous bicycle rides.  Here's a link to the festivities on Facebook:

 

https://www.facebook...21769201197286/

 

[Dylan]

The forecast is calling for near-freezing temperatures Saturday morning. This is something I'd like to do... in warmer weather.

 

Maybe I'll decide it's worth freezing in bitter cold temperatures in order to meet mayor Price again.

 

I'll be more prepared with what I want to say than I was at the Victory Forest grand opening.

Edited by Dylan, 25 February 2019 - 02:20 AM.

[John T Roberts]

I was hoping that we would start having better weather on the weekends.  We were blessed with it this weekend, but I'm disappointed in the forecast for the first one in March.  I don't like cold weather, but since I agreed to do this for the Mayor, I guess I will have to tough it out.  On the cold days for the regular Downtown Fort Worth Walking Tours, I have never found the weather completely unbearable when I have led them.  In February, I missed the tour on one of the cold days, but I honestly was not feeling well at all and that day, I didn't even get out of the house.

[elpingüino]

The forecast is calling for near-freezing temperatures Saturday morning. This is something I'd like to do... in warmer weather.
 
Maybe I'll decide it's worth freezing in bitter cold temperatures in order to meet mayor Price again.
 
I'll be more prepared with what I want to say than I was at the Victory Forest grand opening.

On the bright side, if bad weather keeps people at home, any of us who does attend will have a better chance for a conversation with the Mayor.

[Volare]

Many times these City events get cancelled closer to the event if the weather is going to be poor.

[John T Roberts]

I was going to bring that up, but you beat me to it, Volare.

[renamerusk]

 

The forecast is calling for near-freezing temperatures Saturday morning. This is something I'd like to do... in warmer weather......

On the bright side, if bad weather keeps people at home, any of us who does attend will have a better chance for a conversation with the Mayor.

 

  I would first congratulate Mayor Price on the successful negotiations and outcome of the City Pension Fund, then I would press her on her idea about the rail transit needs of the City.  I would also ask the mayor her position on commercial air service for Meacham Airport.

[Dylan]

This is my once-a-season reminder to take week-away forecasts with a grain of salt.

 

The forecast now calls for the cold front to push through Saturday afternoon instead of Friday night.

 

This change in timing means we will be in the 50s Saturday morning instead of near freezing.

[John T Roberts]

Since I am assisting with this event by leading a tour, I was planning to be there, unless the event was cancelled.  It looks as if the weather will be much better than I thought.  I'm glad it will be warmer.  There is still time for the weather forecast to change again.

[beverlyb]

On Facebook, the event is offering the opportunity to change the date.

[John T Roberts]

Beverlyb, thanks for the update.  The Mayor's Office did say they would e-mail me or call me if something changed.  I have not heard from them today.

[John T Roberts]

The Mayor's Office called me a few minutes ago to tell me the Mayor's Town Hall Meeting has been rescheduled to March 16 at 9:30.  Now, I have a conflict with my regular monthly Downtown Walking Tour which was also rescheduled to March 16.  I will still be leading the Mayor's Tour and I will be missing the monthly tour. 

[Dylan]

On the 16th, I'll probably do the mayor's bike ride.

[John T Roberts]

Dylan, you should do the Mayor's bike ride.  They are a lot of fun.

[Dylan]

Is the Mayor's bike ride still on for tomorrow?

 

The forecast is calling for near freezing temperatures (just like two weeks ago), but there's no chance of rain.

[John T Roberts]

I have not heard otherwise.  Last time, the Mayor's office personally called me to tell me the event was cancelled.  In all of the years that I have been cycling, cold weather of just around freezing was never a reason to cancel a ride.  Precipitation makes the roads unsafe for cycling, so that is usually the reason rides are cancelled, if they are called off.  I'm planning on being there, unless I get an official notification of it being rescheduled.

[Dylan]

Rode my bike to my closest TEXRail station for the event today. At the event, I met with Ann Zadeh and Betsy Price.

 

Before the ride, I told Ann how pleased I was that my train was half full (yes, it really was!), especially considering how empty the trains were when I rode one weekday during both rush hours last month. She responded by telling me that I'm wrong- the trains aren't running empty. That was a bit funny.

 

Near the start of the ride, Mayor Price saw me and seemed excited to see me (though I don't know if she recognized me, or was excited to see someone young on the ride).

 

After the ride, I asked her if Fort Worth will consider attracting companies separately from Dallas since Amazon (and presumably others) sees DFW as "Dallas." She responded by saying we got the Amazon Air hub because of our HQ2 bid, and that our HQ2 bid with Dallas was an anomaly- we (Fort Worth) usually try to attract companies on our own. I hope this is true.

 

Then, I praised TEXRail and asked about streetcars. She told me she doesn't expect Fort Worth to build a streetcar system. Downtown interests don't want it (people leaving downtown; overhead wires), and streetcars generally haven't been very successful in other cities.

 

-----------------------

 

The bike ride itself was a lot of fun. Police officers closed off streets and intersections during our ride around the fringes of downtown.

[JBB]

streetcars generally haven't been very successful in other cities.

 

 

You usually have to go to the stock show to see that kind of bull...nevermind.  I'll keep my reply family friendly.

[Austin55]

Downtown interests don't want it (people leaving downtown; overhead wires)

 

The issue since 2008. Getting other interests could really help to sway this. Panther Island wants, and plans, a streetcar. What if surrounding neighborhoods decide they want one? If the Stockyards, West 7th, River East, and Near Southside want one, should that usurp the ever mysterious "downtown interests"? Or groups independent of neighborhoods, like the Chamber or Visitor Bureau. What about the citizens?  Big part of why the Tarrant Transit Alliance was founded. 

 

Also re: wires, there's already some systems running without them along the full line. You don't need wires everywhere anymore. I wonder if there's any work towards developing fully battery operated streetcars? 

[renamerusk]

Who are the phantom people that Mayor Price and Paul Ballard are polling?

 

First, it is rich for Mayor Price to give a fake answer to your question about how Fort Worth attracted an Amazon Air Hub because of Fort Worth HQ2 bid. 

 

Alliance Airport is the reason that Fort Worth has an Amazon Air Hub and other logistical hubs (FEDEX). The Alliance Region predates her administration and she had nothing to do with creating Alliance Airport.  She is being dishonest taking credit for the hub; and I am sure that she would not like to take credit for AA closing down its operations at Alliance.

 

Second, Fort Worth citizens have been polled about a street car and the result was a clear majority in favor of a street car.  The people that she polls and listens to more closely sit in some board room somewhere in a Downtown office building.  Is it necessary to point out to her that there is a grassroots organization that is advocating public transit for Fort Worth and Tarrant County. 

 

Thirdly, I will suggest to her that we don't expect her to remain mayor forever; and that Fort Worth will have a street car someday far later than other large and prospering cities.

[Dylan]

She never claimed credit for bringing Amazon's air hub to the city. She credited the city's HQ2 bid.

[JBB]

I'm curious to hear about these unsuccessful street car lines.

[renamerusk]

She never claimed credit for bringing Amazon's air hub to the city. She credited the city's HQ2 bid.

 

I'm believe that she was attempting to deflect from your question.  

 

Amazon was not seeking bids for the Amazon Air Hub.  It has an air hub in the  East (Cincinnati) and one in the Central Zone (Fort Worth).  Fort Worth was not bidding with every other major metro area and state for A-Hub as it was bidding jointly with Dallas (North Texas) for HQ2.  The two are apples to oranges as for as Amazon would consider.  The truth is, and unless we are allowed to ever know otherwise, Amazon only visited Dallas and did not visit Fort Worth during its evaluation period.

 

The next time that Mayor Price recognizes you it is likely that she will not be as excited as she was to see you then as when she saw you today.

[txbornviking]

I'm curious to hear about these unsuccessful street car lines.

 

I hate to be the Negative Nancy on this one, because I do think several of our downtown adjacent neighborhoods have the potential to replicate the success of the Kansas City streetcar, but recent streetcar projects in cities such as Atlanta, DC, Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, Detroit, & El Paso, have struggled with ridership numbers.

Kansas City has done a tremendous job on showing how it can be done right, and that Portland isn't an outlier. I'd LOVE to see success here, but in the "short term" we gotta, Gotta, GOTTA get our bus ridership numbers up and improve our bus frequencies.

 

But our current Mayor has been very reluctant to proposals to truly improve Trinity Metro's funding model in order to spur ridership growth. When she first ran in 2010 I recall seeing her really talk about expanding out city's bike infrastructure system, and honestly, I've been very disappointed in what we've seen over the past 8 years. A few additional miles of paint on asphalt ins't an network. Additionally, to really encourage new ridership people have to feel safe riding. Study after study and project after project has shown that protected lanes are necessary to really grow ridership numbers.

[renamerusk]

I hate to be the Negative Nancy on this one, because I do think several of our downtown adjacent neighborhoods have the potential to replicate the success of the Kansas City streetcar, but recent streetcar projects in cities such as Atlanta, DC, Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, Detroit, & El Paso, have struggled with ridership numbers.....

 

but in the "short term" we gotta, Gotta, GOTTA get our bus ridership numbers up and improve our bus frequencies.

 

 Each city is its own laboratory; there will be successes and failures, but there should not be a defeatist self fulfilling attitude towards street cars before carefully evaluating the potential of a street car line.  It may surprise you to know that South Main today, with all of its organic growth was the designated corridor for the street car line that was rejected.  Imagine what and how far South Main would be today if a street car line connected it to Downtown, JPS and Magnolia Avenue.

 

 I understand and agree with your Bus Ridership Precondition, but concentrated development at the epic center of Fort Worth would blossom with a designated rail transit line having stops within a few steps of their doors.  Also, tourists feel a sense of safety when traveling in a strange city by knowing that the travel is a designated route that directly gets them to and returns them from their destinations.

[Doohickie]

What if surrounding neighborhoods decide they want one? If the Stockyards, West 7th, River East, and Near Southside want one, should that usurp the ever mysterious "downtown interests"?

They *did* want one.  The downtown interests used their sway to schedule the council vote to a time when two "pro streetcar" council members would not be in town, and the resolution failed by one vote.  That's the problem- the downtown interests have a death grip on the government machine.

[Dylan]

Per Twitter, Mayor Price is hosting a bike ride tomorrow (November 14) at the Water Gardens at 3:00 PM. It will go through the Medical District to show support to medical workers.

 

Participants are encouraged to donate to Tarrant Area Food Bank and dress as a superhero. Though, I don't have a superhero costume.

[JBB]

Just wear your regular clothes and pretend you're a superhero's alter ego like Bruce Wayne or Peter Parker.

[txbornviking]

Per Twitter, Mayor Price is hosting a bike ride tomorrow (November 14) at the Water Gardens at 3:00 PM. It will go through the Medical District to show support to medical workers.

 

Participants are encouraged to donate to Tarrant Area Food Bank and dress as a superhero. Though, I don't have a superhero costume.

 

As daily infection rates in the US top 150k/day and Tarrant County and Ft Worth are having weekly infection rates higher than at any other point this year, and El Paso serving as a VERY clear warning of where we could be going...

 

AITA or would a better way to "show support to medical works" be to stay home and avoid unnecessary crowds?

[Dylan]

To be fair, this is an outdoor event, and masks are required when bikes aren't in motion.

 

I'm getting mentally sick of having very little social interaction with other people. I need this opportunity / excuse to get out of the house and interact with other people.

[JBB]

AITA or would a better way to "show support to medical works" be to stay home and avoid unnecessary crowds?

I read a tweet from a medical professional today that was going semi-viral that said something similar. That said, I agree with Dylan. An outdoor bike ride is pretty harmless, especially if people are wearing masks and social distancing. It's large scale indoor activities that are causing problems right now.

[Dylan]

The bike ride was a lot of fun. Thankfully, the difficult part of the ride (going uphill against strong headwind gusts) was at the beginning, not the end. I was able to keep up with everyone once we turned west from South Main Street onto Magnolia Avenue. We made a clockwise loop around the Medical District. It was about 5 miles and took about 40 minutes.

 

I asked Mayor Price whether Fort Worth or the Fort Worth Sports Authority could get Texas Motor Speedway to acknowledge they're in Fort Worth. She says the city is trying, but can't anymore. There used to be a clause in the contract requiring the track to promote or acknowledge Fort Worth, but it's expired. She says the "No Limits, Texas" branding took place as soon as that contract expired.

 

She also said that she and the city sends emails to TV networks asking them to show the Fort Worth skyline, but networks either ignore them or apologize afterwards.

[John T Roberts]

Dylan, that is really a shame.  The city leaders that put an expiration date in the clause in the contract should never have included it. 

 

As for the TV networks, maybe the public should get on a writing campaign.  Something needs to be done about the lack of promotion for our city and downright ignoring it.

[Dylan]

The next time that Mayor Price recognizes you it is likely that she will not be as excited as she was to see you then as when she saw you today.

 

Mayor Price approached me and seemed excited to see me yesterday. Though, I'm not sure if that's because she recognizes me, or if she's excited to see everyone who attends.

 

Also, despite us wearing masks, I was able to identify her when she arrived.

[Austin55]

I think Mayor Price pays especially close attention to her younger and more engaged constituents. Im sure she recognizes you.

[txbornviking]

As the mayor has now tested positive, Dylan, I hope you and everyone else at the event Saturday are able to test negative.

 

https://dfw.cbslocal...itive-covid-19/

[Dylan]

I'm looking into options for testing. In the meantime, I don't have any symptoms and don't plan to go anywhere.

 

Because of the pandemic, I haven't been going to very many places in the past few months anyway.

 

That said, I've been applying for jobs. It would be a bit awkward if I were to finally get an interview or a job in the next few days before I can test negative or if I were to test positive.

 

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Although we wore masks before and after the bike ride, we did take them off during the ride itself.

[John T Roberts]

I decided not to go because of the crowd.  I was aware of the protocols before, during, and after the ride, but I have been really avoiding all groups of people. 

[txbornviking]

I'm looking into options for testing. In the meantime, I don't have any symptoms and don't plan to go anywhere.

 

Because of the pandemic, I haven't been going to very many places in the past few months anyway.

 

That said, I've been applying for jobs. It would be a bit awkward if I were to finally get an interview or a job in the next few days before I can test negative or if I were to test positive.

 

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Although we wore masks before and after the bike ride, we did take them off during the ride itself.

 

 

If you're looking for locations fo testing sites, or where/how to obtain free tests this site from the county can be helpful

 

http://access.tarran...ant-county.html

 

COVID-19 Saliva Testing Sites

In Fort Worth

Tuesdays. 8 - 11 a.m.
FWISD Scarborough Handley Field
6201 Craig St.
Fort Worth, TX 76112

Wednesdays, 8 - 11 a.m.
City Northside Service Center
309 Hillshire Dr.
Haslet,TX 76052

Thursdays, 8 - 11 a.m.
La Gran Plaza
4200 South Freeway
Fort Worth, TX 76115

Fridays, 8 - 11 a.m.
Christ Church Assembly of God
5301 Altamesa Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76123

 

Detailed flier:     English        Spanish

Tuedays, 2 - 5 p.m.
Como Community Center
4660 Horne St.
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Wednesdays, 2 - 5 p.m.
Tarrant County College – Northwest Campus
4801 Marine Creek Pkwy.
Fort Worth, TX 76179

Thursdays, 2 - 5 p.m.
Beth Eden Baptist Church
3208 Wilbarger St.
Fort Worth, TX 76119

Fridays, 2 - 5 p.m.
Heritage Church of Christ
4201 Heritage Trace Pkw.
Fort Worth, TX 76244

In Arlington

Saturday, Sunday & Monday (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
AISD Professional Development Center
1111 W. Arbrook 
Arlington, TX 76015

[Dylan]

An update, if anyone is interested: my mom insisted that I not get tested unless I develop symptoms.

 

Since I'm still struggling to get a job, I decided that I'll just practice two weeks of quarantine. That's coming to an end soon, and I never developed any symptoms.

[Dylan]

Another update: I went on a job interview a few days ago and got hired on the spot!

 

My new job involves interacting with literally hundreds of people a day indoors, some of whom don't wear masks properly or even at all.

 

It makes self quarantining for two weeks after an outdoor bike ride seem silly.