9 replies to this topic

[johnfwd]

A major bond issue to be put to Tarrant County voters on November 2 includes funding for the construction of a new building to house the Tarrant County District Attorney's office.  FWBP article below.  Apparently, the DA's current office in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center is inadequate.

 

https://fortworthbus...ction-on-nov-2/

[JBB]

$116 million for a DA's office is pretty steep.  For reference, the Vandergriff Civil Courts building was around $75 million.  I realize that construction on that building started almost a decade ago, but that seems like a significant difference.

[johnfwd]

$116 million for a DA's office is pretty steep.  For reference, the Vandergriff Civil Courts building was around $75 million.  I realize that construction on that building started almost a decade ago, but that seems like a significant difference.

Increase in construction costs?  Or will the proposed DA building be larger in dimensions than the Civil Courts Building?  

[JBB]

That's a 54% difference in cost.  I don't know how many people work in the DA's office, but I can't see the building being larger or even as large.  The courts building has courtrooms, waiting and holding areas, a larger security screening area to accommodate public visitors, and offices, workspaces, and meeting space.  A DA's office would presumably be mostly offices, workspaces, and meeting spaces and would likely take up less space.  I may be totally off base.

[Austin55]

 

PROPOSITION B
 

SHALL THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS,

BE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE BONDS OF SAID COUNTY IN THE

AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $116,000,000 FOR THE

PURCHASE, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, AND EQUIPMENT OF A

CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE BUILDING TO PROVIDE

SPACE FOR PROSECUTORIAL EFFORTS AND FOR OTHER NONJUDICIAL COUNTY ACTIVITIES, AND FACILITIES IN SUPPORT

THEREOF, AND THE PURCHASE OR IMPROVEMENT OF SITES

THEREFOR; SUCH BONDS TO MATURE SERIALLY OR OTHERWISE

OVER A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED FORTY (40) YEARS FROM THE DATE

OF ISSUANCE OF EACH SERIES OF BONDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH

LAW, TO BE ISSUED IN ONE OR MORE SERIES OR ISSUES AT ANY

PRICE OR PRICES AND TO BEAR INTEREST AT ANY RATE OR RATES

(FIXED, FLOATING, VARIABLE OR OTHERWISE AND NOT EXCEED

THE MAXIMUM RATE PRESCRIBED BY LAW) AS SHALL BE

DETERMINED WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSIONERS

COURT UNDER LAWS IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE OR SALE

OF THE BONDS; AND SHALL THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF THE

COUNTY BE AUTHORIZED TO LEVY AND PLEDGE, AND CAUSE TO BE

ASSESSED AND COLLECTED, ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAXES, ON ALL

TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE COUNTY SUFFICIENT TO PAY

PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND THE COST OF ANY

CREDIT AGREEMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE

BONDS? 

http://courtbook.tar...21110431347.PDF

I'd figure this would go downtown, right? 

[johnfwd]

Downtown?  Yes, presumably so.

[JBB]

I think that's a safe assumption.  It could go on the former motor bank space to the east of the civil courts building, but that would put it on the opposite side of Main from the criminal courts (that might not matter).  Or on the old Criminal Courts and Jail, assuming they still plan to demolish that building.  There are semi vacant lots to the west of the new jail.  I would be surprised if they moved out of downtown.

[txbornviking]

I really wish these bond measures didn't have so many projects lumped together. I for one would much prefer a vote on smaller set of projects...

 

ie the "infrastructure" lumps together:
$110M to wider 12.2miles of stroads

$16M to "fix" 12 arterial intersections

$15M for traffic lights

$70M for "neighborhood streets" 

 

less than 3% of the proposed $500M bond proposal would support complete street projects, and presently $0 would be for public transit needs

[JBB]

It looks like the transportation proposition will pass and the DA's office proposition is headed toward not passing.  I believe that 100% of the vote has been counted, but it's a little hard to tell.

[Austin55]

Interesting. Never really was many details given on it so I can see the hesitation to approve something sight unseen.