Trinity Trees Public Forum

A funny thing happened at the Trinity Trees Public Forum at Capstone Church in Fort Worth last night. Civility broke out.

A crowd of around 400 people watched as speaker after speaker had their say on the whether the eight-acre tract of old growth urban forest would be preserved or go to the bulldozer. District 9 City Council representative Wendy Davis, the event's emcee, struck the tone early: "We want to have a constructive dialogue with Chesapeake." After all, she said, once this grove of trees is lost, it is lost forever.

And, as the different sides had their say, the tone of civility prevailed. Julie Wilson, the spokeperson for Chesapeake Energy, gave a slick presentation about how drilling on the Trinity Trees site is actually a good thing for the City of Fort Worth. She explained how the company believes it can minimize the environmental impact and make improvements.

Jim Bradbury with Trinity Trees explained the group's position: urban gas drilling has unknown consequences, connected tree canopy is important and alternative drilling sites exist on the Union Pacific site next door. They aren't against drilling, they are in favor of finding a third way, an alternative.

But that wasn't the funny thing. The funny thing was this -- the only extremist in the room is the guy who should know better, Tom Price, Jr., the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Chesapeake Energy. He's El Jefe for Chesapeake on this deal. But he comes off like Montgomery Burns -- corporate fatcat who always says the wrong thing and then doesn't understand why people get angry.

Price is shocked that the community would suggest that Chesapeake would "take" Union Pacific property and that moving the site wouldn't work. "For all of you to say that the answer is for Union Pacific to give up their property, I think is overreaching," he said.

The response was whatever the opposite of a standing ovation is. Honestly, I've never seen that many people boo someone who wasn't wearing a referee's uniform.

That's sort of where things got off track for the Chesapeakers. Wendy Davis immediately jumped on Price's comment. "Colonial and Union Pacific stand to benefit greatly from this, yet the community will bear all of the burden." Davis seems to be more and more outspoken on this issue as her tenure on the Council grows shorter. I like this side of Wendy Davis, and I hope to see more of it in Fort Worth, and maybe in Austin if she wins in her run for the State Senate.

Fort Worth State Representative Lon Burnham (pictured above) also encouraged finding a third way and scolded Union Pacific for not helping offer an alternative. "Union Pacific has not been a good corporate citizen in Fort Worth over the last year on this issue," he said.

Last night confirmed a couple for things for me. There is a growing base of community support against drilling on this site. The issue for these people isn't about drilling -- it's about drilling right there. And these people aren't a bunch tie-dyed, unicorn-hugging wackos, these folks look like your neighbors. Probably because they are your neighbors.

Also, Chesapeake has committed to a strategy: portray this as inevitable and portray this as infringing on the rights of private property owners.

In truth, it is neither.

Folks, this ain't a done deal. The insiders I spoke to last night indicated that the mood on the City Council seemed to be moving toward trying to slow this thing down. Chesapeake can't do anything until they get a permit, and a permit may not be coming quickly. As Wendy Davis mentioned, there is City Council meeting on Tuesday night. Folks need to get down there and let the Council know how they feel on this issue.

This also isn't infringing on the private property rights of anyone. When throwing out ideas for a third way, what's mentioned is a land swap or buying the land or finding some way to compensate Chesapeake of Union Pacific for the inconvenience. What Chesapeake wants you to imagine is Tom Price is a minuteman uniform, defending private property rights for all good Americans. The reality is this: when it comes to protecting private property rights, we the people have more to fear from gas companies than they do from us. Exhibit A: The Case of Billy Mitchell, or "Who's that guy with the eminent domain billboard?"

So who's the victim here? Well, as it stands right now, Chesapeake's reputation as good corporate citizen in Fort Worth appears to be teetering. As Bernie Scheffler, an opponent of urban gas drilling and a candidate for Wendy Davis' District 9 seat on the council said, "Why would Chesapeake Energy, who has spent millions polishing its public image in Fort Worth with commercials and billboards ... why would they blow all that goodwill on this?"

Why indeed. That is a funny thing.

To read the Startlegram's take, click here.

P.S. Big, big shout out to Jenna for helping me take notes. I'm buying you dinner, girl!

Interview: Jim Marshall and Rick Collins

I know I've been sounding like a broken record lately, but today's topic is -- once again -- the Trinity Trees. Two men who are part of the driving force behind Save The Trinity Trees, Jim Marshall and Rick Collins, granted me an interview about their efforts to save the grove that is home to some of the biggest and oldest trees in Fort Worth.

Jim and Rick are long-time Fort Worth residents and literally lifelong friends. We grew up together in the Meadowbrook Drive area of Fort Worth’s historic East Side. You might know Jim better as the former owner of Marshall Grain Company. Jim has actively been involved in trying to save the Trinity Trees since the day he first learned of Chesapeake Energy’s plans to bulldoze the 2.5 acre grove. His army of one gradually gained some supporters, one of whom was his childhood buddy, Rickey. They are both in this to win one for the environment, as well as for the thousands of Fort Worth residents who have literally grown up walking through this magnificent tree grove.

Many other volunteers have joined along the way. Among the most devoted are Jenny Conn, Don Young and Melissa Kohout. A list of numerous other volunteers and supporters can be found at www.trinitytrees.org.

Take a couple of moments to look at their comments. But most importantly, go to the city-sponsored Public Forum tonight from 6-8 p.m. at the Capstone Church on 1700 Rogers Road (see the map above). What is needed now is turnout -- bring your families and friends and show Chesapeake and the City of Fort Worth that a large number of people feel strongly that steps must be taken to save the Trinity Trees.

The Caravan of Dreams: Thanks for your time, guys. Could you briefly explain why you are doing this?
Save Trinity Trees: Trinity Trees is a coalition united around one common goal: Saving some of Fort Worth’s most beautiful, historic trees and green spaces from being destroyed and preserving these areas as critical environmental assets. This is about preserving a reasonable balance between economic and sociological issues. Most of all, this is about fostering a spirit of open dialogue and civic responsibility.

TCoD: I ride my bike through this area almost every day. I always thought it was city park land. If this is private property, why does the Trinity Trail go through there? Does the city pay for its upkeep?
STT: You, I and every trail user I have spoken to thought this area was a park. Here’s why we thought it was a park:

It looked like a park with park benches, two picnic tables and the Trinity Trail winding through it.

It was mowed and maintained by the Tarrant Regional Water District to a park-like appearance.

Up until July 22, 2007, there were three signs that said “PARK is closed from 11:30 P.M. to 7:30 A.M.

Our understanding is that the trail system uses an easement that goes along the river. I’m told that the easement starts at the top of the river bank and goes 100 feet inland. The easement will remain even if Chesapeake clear-cuts the 2.5 acres for the gas well pad site. The southern border of the proposed pad site appears to follow the 100 feet easement line.

TCoD: Some people would say, "So what. It's a few trees." How would you respond to that?
STT: Thousands of citizens who’ve enjoyed the Hike and Bike Trail over the years cherish this tranquil grove of old-growth trees. For many, this is the most beautiful stand of trees along the entire trail system. The “So what…it’s (just) a few trees” attitude is frequently expressed by the same types of people who said Katrina was just a hurricane or Global Warming is a left-wing conspiracy. The truth is indeed frequently an "inconvenient” one.

Furthermore, trees do a lot more for our health than just provide shade. Trees are an important part of what makes an urban environment livable. When we say that, we most often immediately think that they’re simply nice to look at, but the reality is that trees keep our community healthy. A major capital asset in a city, a grove of trees — in our case a mini-urban forest — can offset the effects of pollution by sequestering carbon and other heat-trapping gasses.

A single mature tree can absorb carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 pounds per year and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support two human beings.

TCoD: Could Chesapeake just replace or move the trees?
STT: The problem is not only the loss of the trees. It is the impact on the entire eight-acre site as a whole. There are very few areas left in Fort Worth like this. As Councilwoman Wendy Davis said at the picnic, for Fort Worth, this is an irreplaceable treasure.

If Chesapeake puts in their gas well pad site, the 2.5-acre core or heart of this treasure will be converted to a barren, vegetation-free industrial pad. And despite Chesapeake’s promise that after drilling the area will be landscaped to blend in with its urban environment, the 2.5 acre pad site will remain a gravel maintenance yard for the life of the wells — up to 50 years.

So even if Chesapeake moved or replaced the 142 old-growth trees it plans on destroying, irreparable damage will be done to the eight acres, to the environment and to the community.

TCoD: Isn't it wrong to paint Chesapeake as the bad guy? I mean, the previous owner wanted to put up office buildings and apartments on this site?
STT: That, too, would have resulted in a tragic loss of this special green space. Often the argument is made that the destruction that Chesapeake is planning is not as bad as what the developer was planning. However, it doesn’t have to be an either/or decision. There exists a third alternative. If you check our Web site you’ll see we have sent a letter to the Mayor and City Council proposing said alternative: Chesapeake decides to move its pad site to the already industrial area a few hundred feet to the north; the developer agrees that putting in its buildings is not the best use of the grove of trees; steps are taken to convert the eight acres to a public park. To make this happen, we need three things from all vested parties (including our city leaders): consent, cooperation and compromise.

We shall continue to request that none of those three things be unreasonably withheld.

TCoD: Is this an all-or-nothing deal? Is the only solution for the Chesapeake Energy NOT to drill on this site? Or could Chesapeake drill on the site and still maintain most of the existing trees?
STT: According to the Star-Telegram, (“Hundreds rally against planned well site,” September 4, 2007) Chesapeake’s plans for clear-cutting 2.5 acres will result in removing 142 of the 412 trees in the grove. This appears to be Chesapeake’s idea of maintaining “most of the existing trees.” Again, an alternative exists where all of the trees can remain, Chesapeake can still achieve its drilling goals for this area, and the leaseholders can still receive their financial benefits.

TCoD: Why not just drill on Colonial or Union Pacific land? I mean, they are the ones who stand to make alot of the money off this thing.
STT: Drilling on the Colonial maintenance area located to the west of the golf course has been suggested to Chesapeake. This may be an alternative, but the more logical choice appears to be Union Pacific land.

There are two or more areas on the Union Pacific property that seem like they would work just fine. These areas are already industrialized with no vegetation; are only a few hundred feet from the eight-acre site, are not currently intensely used and have a service road in place. It seems like one of these would make a very good alternative site.

TCoD: Ultimately, is this all kind of a moot point. It's private property and if the owner wants drilling, aren't they just going to go ahead and do it?
STT: The eight-acre parcel of land is private property owned by Chesapeake. As such, they have the right to do whatever they want to with the land and the trees within the limits of legal obligations. However, there should also be obligations to the environment, the community and the common good.

While recognizing and fully respecting the private property rights of Chesapeake, we also recognize that the community has the right to express its concerns and suggest viable alternatives that allow Chesapeake to conduct its operations and, at the same time, preserve valuable, limited green space.

Chesapeake may decide to go ahead with their plans. However, if the public outcry becomes so massive and they see that the potential negative publicity could outweigh the inconvenience of moving the planned site, a change could occur.

TCoD: Say somebody called you a treehugger? Is that an accurate assessment? Have you ever hugged a tree?
STT: We would not be ashamed to be called treehuggers, but we probably don’t fully qualify. Rick says we don’t hug trees so much as embrace the issues this particular dispute represents. We believe our positions and suggestions are more along the lines of looking for balanced solutions that can protect much needed urban green space while still allowing for businesses to achieve their goals. We would assume that pure tree huggers would take more of an extreme position to save trees at all costs.

Jim has hugged trees but not in an affectionate way. The hugging has occurred while trying to gauge the size of trees and to comprehend the enormity of these majestic giants.

TCoD: If someone wants to help out, what do you need most?
STT: What is needed right now is for people to come to the City-sponsored Public Forum. People should voice their opinions in other ways by contacting the City, Chesapeake, Union Pacific and the media.

TCoD: When will something be decided on this? What is D-Day for these trees?
STT: That’s an excellent question that we don’t have the answer to. Chesapeake has applied for an urban gas drilling permit. There is a public information meeting regarding the permit on September 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Southwest Community Center, 6300 Welch Avenue.

We assume the trees will not be cut before the information meeting, but we don’t know that for sure. The hearing will be another opportunity for concerned citizens to show up in large numbers.

TCoD: Thanks, Jim and Rick. Thanks for your time and thanks for what you are doing to try and save an important part of Fort Worth. Keep up the fight!

Save the Trinity Trees

I ride my bike through here every day. This beautiful, eight-acre wooded parcel of land along the Trinity Trail near Rogers Road, which most people thought was a park, is now owned by Chesapeake Energy. Plans are being finalized by Chesapeake to destroy 2.5 acres of the trees to be used as a gas drilling site.

The trees are located in Fort Worth along the Trinity River Hike and Bike Trail just upstream from the Rogers Road bridge and north across the Trinity River from Colonial Country Club. Click here to view a slide show posted on WFAA.com Wednesday, August 8, summarizing the Trinity Trees issue.

What can you do to help?

Spread the word.

Attend the Trinity Trees Picnic: Labor Day, September 3, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, along the Trinity Trail by the grove of trees.

Attend the City sponsored Public Forum: Thursday, September 6, 6:00-8:00 pm, Capstone Church, 1700 Rogers Road.

Go to TrinityTrees.org to learn more, register for updates, post comments on our various blogs, download printable fliers and petitions, and/or donate.

Bluebonnet Circle Condo Development

I'm not sure how I feel about this. An $8 million condominium development on South University Drive will move forward despite protests by residents who say the 59-unit project will overwhelm already tight parking in the area just south of Bluebonnet Circle in Fort Worth, the Startlegram sez.

Councilwoman Wendy Davis said she has mixed feelings about the project because the city is developing an "urban village" plan for the Bluebonnet Circle area that would call for lower-density residential development and a mix of retail and commercial businesses. "My preference would have been it be replaced by a town-home development," she said.

The three-story buildings will include 43 three-bedroom units and 16 four-bedroom units ranging from $240,000 to $275,000. The condos, expected to be completed by fall 2008, would replace 60 apartments built in 1955 that had inadequate parking. "Some of our investors will be parents of TCU students," said Mac Jones, a partner in the Austin development firm. "But we'll also have young professionals who want to live a similar lifestyle of downtown for much less."

Kevin? Bernie? Whadya think? Have y'all heard anything about the city's plan for the Circle?

Drilling and Tandy Hills Park

A thoughtful post from Pete at Cowtown Chronicles about his recent nature walk at Tandy Hills Park. Here's a bit: "The link is to an article about the park and how people are afraid it’s going to be ruined by gas drilling. It mentions that the city has vowed not to let trucks drive onto the parkland, but that’s apparently a lie, since Jenna and I nearly got run over by a big diesel pickup with 4 workers in it. It missed us, but it took out a couple of small trees on its way out, which is always a nice way to start a hike in a nature area." Thanks for the post, Pete.

Fort Worthology Update

Couple of interesting notes from Kevin:

Ricki Derek's Scat Jazz Lounge appears to have had a change of location. Originally supposed to open in the basement of the Burk Burnett Building, will now be opening in the basement of the Woolworth Building (left) next door. This will put the jazz lounge under the Joseph A. Bank store and the Milan Gallery.

Confirmed: The Knights of Pythias Hall is saved and will be redeveloped.

A Reprieve for the Knights of Pythias?

Kevin at Fort Worthology reports that the Knights of Pythias Hall, which appeared to be headed for a date with the wrecking ball, may in fact be saved. Good job, Kevin, for being all over this story!

Um ... Wow

If you've been wondering what's going to happen to the area east of the Modern Art Museum, get a load of this. For the skinny on this, check out Kevin's report at Fort Worthology. Doesn't look so good for Fred's, does it?

That being said, there are a couple of other posts over Kevin's way that are worth your attention: his firm support of the TCC Campus downtown (which I would like to throw in a hearty "me too!") and his look at the proposed Trinity Uptown project and throwing around possible names for the development. Name two-cents -- Isla Los Panteras.

Odds and Ends from the Startlegram

Knights of Pythias Hall Update: The developer claims it is too costly to renovate the Knights of Pythias Hall at Third and Crump that is in danger of demolition. The two-story structure just east of downtown is on Historic Fort Worth's list of Most Endangered Places. John Roberts, a vice president with Historic Fort Worth, said he'd like to see the owners use federal tax credits and other monies offered for preservation projects to save the property. The city's Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission must weigh in before demolition can go forward.The commission's next meeting is scheduled for July 9. Please take time to contact the Commission and get them to prevent this.

Fort Worth Rail Meetings: Public meetings are scheduled for next weekon the proposed Cottonbelt Rail Line. The line would run from Altamesa Blvd./Dirks Rd. in Southwest Fort Worth to D/FW Airport. Other Fort Worth stops would include I20/Granbury Rd., Berry St./TCU, Medical District, T&P Terminal, ITC, Stockyards/23rd St. and Beach St.

Wrecking More of Our Heritage

Kevin at Fort Worthology reports that the historic Knights of Pythias building from 1925 in the Hillside neighborhood faces demolition. Can anything be done to save it? Not unless you happen to have $300k laying around.

enDangered with a Capital D

Hot on the heels of Historic Fort Worth's list of most endangered places, Preservation Dallas has released its list of Big D's most endangered places. How does Dallas do with its architectural heritage? Does the picture above give you a clue?

Please take a look at my other blog, DFW Mid-Century Modern for a look at some of the local Mid-Century gems that are at risk.

Historic Fort Worth Adds To The List

Yesterday, we took our shots at the Startlegram for its lame election coverage and it had me thinking about Cowtown’s only daily. Most people have a love / hate relationship with their local paper: they love it when it coves something important to them and they hate it when it ignore something important to them or covers it badly. Today, it made amends (sort of) by highlighting on the business cover Historic Fort Worth adding a dozen properties to its list of Fort Worth’s Most Endangered Places.

It has been two years since the organization last released the list. The group is announcing its new list today in the hopes that steps can be taken to preserve the properties. The properties were nominated by the public and chosen by a committee at Historic Fort Worth, said Jerre Tracy, the group’s executive director. “You can never re-create them,” Tracy said. “Once they’re gone, they’re gone. It affects all of us.”

A couple of the places closest to my heart:

3000 University Drive (pictured above), better known as the drag by TCU.

The TXU power plant on North Main Street.

Cowtown’s remainging single-screen movie theaters: the Ridglea, New Isis, Berry and Azle theaters.

Chase Court, a planned residential subdivision comprising one block bisected from east to west by an esplanade drive with landscaped islands. It was laid out in 1906 and remains the earliest documented planned subdivision in the city. One of my wife’s co-workers lives here, and to say it is cool is an understatement.

Thanks to the S-T for giving serious play to this story. Saving these places makes our city a better place to live.