Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association

Longtime Wedgwood Square President Tolli Thomas Steps Down...or Up

Longtime Wedgwood Square President Tolli Thomas stepped down as President of the Association on March 11, 2011 to pursue elected public office as a Candidate for the District 6 Seat on our Fort Worth City Council.

The Wedgwood Square reigns have been turned over to Interim President Mr. Rob Forsgren and Interim Treasurer Mr. Barry Miller.

The Street Sign Topper Project, Member Curb Painting Program, Natural Gas Drill Site High-Impact Waiver Negotiation, Email Communications, among other project initiated by Tolli Thomas will continue on.

The Neighborhood Plan is to meet shortly to discuss the many ongoing developments and improvement projects that Wedgwood Square is already involved in and to officially elect Officers.

Tolli Thomas founded Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association in late 2002, officially filing papers with Fort Worth City in early 2003 and actively worked for the next more than eight years to better Wedgwood Square Community. She petitioned Fort Worth City for street repairs, sidewalk installations, street light installations, new playground equipment for Wedgwood Park, founded the Wedgwood Square Business Association, applied for and received Neighborhood Empowerment Zoning for Wedgwood Square, initiated the Granbury Road Restoration Initiative and the Wedgwood Square Business Corridor Revitalization Initiative, actively sought abatement of the area problematic apartment complex, vigorously defended the Wedgwood Branch Library from closure during the last two budget cycles, shared information regarding and encouraged additional public process for the City's plans to install a housing project for chronically homeless persons on Woodway Drive, advocated for additional police/code/animal control staffing and presence in the community, worked for the installation of parking restrictions for resident surrounding SW High School, fought for public inclusion on matters affecting the neighborhood, informed the community of plans to install a municipal sub-courthouse on Trail Lake Drive, represented the neighborhood in numerous Zoning and Planning matters before City Council, and in 2008 represented Wedgwood Square and approximately half of District 6 and portions of District 3 in Natural Gas Lease negotiations as the Spokesperson of the Southwest Fort Worth Alliance.

Tolli Thomas is not leaving Wedgwood Square, she says, but taking the next step, at the encouragement of many, to continue work in support of neighborhoods at City Hall.

Thank you Tolli for all you have done and continue to do!

If you would like to contact Tolli Thomas personally you can reach her through her personal email address at tollitat@yahoo.com

Where do I send my 2011 Dues?

Please make Check for $25.00 (annual dues Jan -Dec.) payable to Wedgwood Square and send them to Wedgwood Square at 5341 Wooten Drive Fort Worth, Texas 76133

AND THE WINNER IS...

ANNOUNCEMENT: Wedgwood Square NEZ First Annual Holiday Lights and Decorations Contest 2010

Thank you to all who participated in this year's Holiday Decorations Contest. It was such a joy to drive through the neighborhood and see so many homes festively lit. From spiritual Nativity scenes and Holly Wreaths and Swags, to beautiful Christmas Trees, Santas, Frosty Snowmen, Reindeer, Elves, Snow-globes, and even TCU Horned Frogs, the decorations were a delight! It was so interesting to see all the different holiday lighting now available to us; remember the old bubble lights that once donned every home? It seems quite a few of you took to heart the recommendation to make this a friendly competition with your neighbors; what fun!

Fort Worth's District 6 City Councilman, Mr. Jungus Jordan, graciously accepted Wedgwood Square NEZ's request to assist in judging the competition; a special thank you to Mr. Jordan for his time.

All in all, 281 homes participated in our First Annual Holiday Decorations Contest. Next year, we'll consider the addition of a prize for the street with the most homes decorated.

One important thing that we'd like to point out to our residents, something that raised an eyebrow and some concern for those driving the neighborhood at night to judge the competition, MANY of our community's homes are not adequately or visibly addressed with reflective numbers that are viewable from the curb, in case of emergency response. Wedgwood Square would like to remind you of the absolute importance of every home's address being legible and clearly viewable from the curb in case the Fire Department or an Emergency Medical Response vehicle is driving our all too often very dark, unlit streets, searching for your home so that they can assist you. Wedgwood Square will be looking into ways that we can help our residents in addressing this need and we'll get back to you with what we learn.

On another note, Judges saw many Opossum walking the streets while driving in the dark. Wedgwood Square has quite a population of Opossum and if you have cats, you might like to consider picking up the outdoor food bowls at night to discourage any unwanted encounters with frightened wildlife; they are our natural neighbors and we share this beautiful neighborhood with these creatures, but minimizing encounters is best.

DON'T FORGET YOUR WEDGWOOD SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND NEZ MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2011. We'll be meeting in January to discuss the CONSIDERABLE redevelopment and changes facing Wedgwood Square and evolving Natural Gas Drilling News. If you already joined in the past, you are already a member of Wedgwood Square NEZ but only persons current on their dues will be able to participate in voting at Association meetings. Make sure you pay your dues so that your votes can be cast (1 vote per household).

Where do I send my 2011 Dues?
* Please make Check for $25.00 payable to Wedgwood Square and send them to Wedgwood Square at 5341 Wooten Drive Fort Worth, Texas 76133

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
We have a considerable list of honorable mentions. We encourage everyone to drive around before the holidays are over, looking for inspiration for next years' contest. We hope participation will be even greater in 2011, than the almost one-third of homes decorated this year.

Special Thanks for participation to Wedgwood Pharmacy on Wedgmont Circle and to Vacuum Depot on Granbury Road. We love that some of our neighborhood's many businesses got into the spirit this year!

HOORAH for Trail Lake Drive for having the highest number of participating decorated homes and YIPEE for Wessex Avenue and Wosley Drive for having the highest percentage of homes participating in holiday decorating.

The following homes, worthy of Honorable Mention, were fantastic and made us wish that we could choose you all! Each of these homes has won their 2011 Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association and Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Membership Dues PAID, courtesy of Wedgwood Square NEZ, in recognition of your outstanding participation in our First Annual Holiday Decorations Contest.

Congratulations!
5612 and 5613 Wessex Avenue
5621 Winifred Drive
5705 and 5528 Waltham Avenue
5724 Whitman Avenue
5512 Wedgmont Circle
3960 Wedgway Drive
3854 and 3905 Wosley Drive
3908 Wren
5524 Wonder Drive
5325 Wooten Drive
5612, 5613 and 5725 Trail Lake Drive
5512 and 5413 Wheaton Drive

And now for the winners...drumroll please!

For the category of Most Fun and Creative, a $50.00 prize and their 2011 Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association and Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Membership Dues PAID.:
3912 Wosley Drive

For the category of Best Traditional, a $50.00 prize and their 2011 Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association and Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Membership Dues PAID:
5725 Wedgworth Road

For the category of Best Overall, a $75.00 prize and their 2011 Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association and Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Membership Dues PAID:
5454 Wonder Drive

Congratulations to our WINNERS!

Thank you to ALL who participated, we hope that you'll all participate again next year and we hope that our wonderful Wedgwood Square neighborhood will be lit even brighter by even more decorated homes celebrating the holidays together in 2011.

Holiday Decoration Judging THIS Weekend!!!

Celebrate the Holidays with Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association's 1st Annual Holiday Lights and Yard Decoration Contest!

With the Holidays in full swing, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association (WSNA) wants to encourage neighborhood-wide celebration through participation in the the First Annual WSNA Holiday Lights and Yard Decoration Contest. WSNA residents are invited, for the first time, to share the holiday spirit by decorating their homes and yards in a friendly competition that may earn you a little extra holiday spending money.

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Who may enter? Any home within the boundaries of Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association that is decorated on its exterior and/or front yard with holiday lights and/or decorations, before or by December 17, 2010, will be automatically entered in this friendly neighborhood competition, unless a homeowner writes explicitly requesting to be excluded. Judges are ineligible to win.

Tell your neighbors!!!

Please be certain that no decorations violate any Fort Worth City Code(s)!

Want to especially point out your own or another home? Send us an email!

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The DEADLINE for entering is Thursday, December 16, 2010.

JUDGING begins on Friday, December 17, 2010.

WINNERS will be announced and able to collect their PRIZES on Monday, December 20, 2010.

WINNING ADDRESSES will be announced so that all WSNA Residents may drive by for a game of eye-spy and look for inspiration for next year's competition.

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Categories and Prizes:

Overall Best: $75.00 Gift Card

Most Beautiful Traditional: $50.00 Gift Card

Most Fun and Creative: $50.00 Gift Card

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WE HOPE YOU'LL PARTICIPATE!!! GOOD LUCK ALL WSNA HOLIDAY DECORATING ENTHUSIASTS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WEDGWOOD SQUARE!!!

Wedgwood Square Development Meetings and Votes Update:

As you know, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone is the targeted location for a substantial amount of commercial and transportation redevelopment that certainly will alter the fabric of our community. This could be fantastic news, but Wedgwood Square NEZ has been apprehensive regarding all of this activity in light of the amount of and rush to accomplish it and due to a complete lack of communication from the City to and with Wedgwood Square.

Tuesday at Fort Worth City Council, Council heard and voted on 3 items affecting Wedgwood Square. The following morning, Wednesday, the Fort Worth City Council Appointed Zoning Commission, voted on one item that also will very much affect Wedgwood Square. Here is a review of what transpired at these meetings.

Thank you to all of the Wedgwood Square NEZ Officers and residents who forwarded letters, called our Councilperson and attended these meetings.

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WHAT: M&C-G-17139, to renew or not renew Wedgwood Square's Neighborhood Empowerment Zone designation. Wedgwood Square Officers only learned of this agenda item on Friday, December 3, 2010, when the City Council agenda was publicly posted.

RESULT: Wedgwood Square NEZ Officer, Tolli Thomas spoke at this public hearing and requested that our NEZ be renewed but reiterated again on the record that the Wedgwood Square NEZ and the City were not communicatign and that the City was not engaging with or responding to requests for information from Wedgwood Square and asked that the City please include Wedgwood Square NEZ in all future meetings and discussions related to the redevelopment of our community.

City Council unanimously approved to renew Wedgwood Square's Neighborhood Empowerment Zone designation and Councilman Jungus Jordan publicly pledged to make certain that Wedgwood Square NEZ was included in all discussions related to development and redevelopment of our community from this point forward.

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WHAT: M&C G-17133 to alters all NEZ policy through amendments proposed for adoption to the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives, the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Administrative Procedures and the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Policy Statement.

RESULT: Wedgwood Square NEZ Officer, Tolli Thomas spoke at this public hearing, informing Council that no advance notice of or discussions regarding he intent or ramifications of this item had occurred with Wedgwood Square NEZ or possibly any NEZ and asked that this item be continued to a following Council meeting so that a discussion and information session could be held between Fort Worth City and all Fort Worth NEZ communities. Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods' President, Mrs. Libby Willis also spoke requesting and echoing the same.

City Council opted not to delay, with limited discussion, and unanimously voted to approve the policy changes to all NEZ policy at Council that night.

Wedgwood Square NEZ Officers are researching and deciphering what these policy changes will mean to our community and will inform you of what is learned.

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WHAT: ZC-10-183A-D to amend Mixed-Use Zoning language to alter the allowable building standards of Mixed Use Zoned properties. This language may allow for taller or higher structures next to or near to ordinary, one story high residential homes and encourages extensively more dense population growth in areas where this zoning is in place.

RESULT: Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, the Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods and many other Fort Worth neighborhoods, residents and communities contacted Fort Worth City Council asking that this item be delayed until the City has met with the neighborhoods that will be affected by these alterations.

City Council agreed to delay any decision on this vote until January 4th or February 1st.

Wedgwood Square will inform you of any meetings that you may like to attend so that you can learn more about what Mixed-Use Zoning means and what these ordinance changes would do to Mixed-Use Zoning.

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WHAT: Zoning Commission Application ZC-11-001 to rezone the old Granbury Hills Apartment Complex, recently purchased by and demolished by Fort Worth City Housing Finance Corporation, from E Commercial (which would no longer allow for residential/apartment building) to MU-1 or Light Mixed Use (which would allow for apartments and retail to be developed under one roof, would allow a shorter, only 25 foot setback from the street and property lines, which would allow for as much as a 3 or more story building directly next to the single story homes that the property abuts).

RESULT: Wedgwood Square NEZ Officer, Tolli Thomas, spoke to the Zoning Commission asking for a delay and that the City meet with Wedgwood Square NEZ to explain this zoning request, its implications, the planning for this corridor of the Wedgwood Square NEZ community and consequences for residents that will be closest to the development and zoning. Wedgwood Square NEZ made it clear to the Zoning Commission that the City had in no way attempted to include the neighborhood or its residents in the planning and redevelopment discussion and meetings related to the extensive redevelopment going on in our community, leading to apprehension, frustration, and a public information request that was being in some part argued against through the Attorney General's Office.

Other Wedgwood Square NEZ residents also spoke asking for a delay and echoing these same concerns.

District 6 Zoning Commissioner, Ms. Stephanie Spann made a motion to continue for 30 days and the Zoning Commission unanimously approved this decision to delay the application for 30 days, requesting that the City meet with and discuss this application directly with Wedgwood Square NEZ Officers and affected residents.

Wedgwood Square NEZ Officers are already discussing a meeting date and time with Fort Worth City's Housing Assistant Director, Ms. Cynthia Garcia and have asked that any interested, involved, or related City Department also have representation at this meeting and that Councilperson Mr. Jungus Jordan also be present. Wedgwood Square NEZ will inform you of this meeting date and time as it is finalized.

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You might like to attend this meeting:

Are you facing Transportation Oriented Development in your neighborhood or community and want to know what this will mean for your property values and quality of life?

TODAY: Urban Conversation: Catalyst-scale TOD in North Texas December 9, 2010, 6 p.m.

Mark Wolf will provide a snapshot of catalyst-scale TOD in North Texas, a Green Line development, and commentary on a perpetually missing pubic strategy.

The conversation will be held at Eno's Pizza Tavern in Oak Cliff. Eno's Pizza Tavern: click link for map 407 N. Bishop Avenue Dallas, TX 75208 CNU-NTX

Sponsors: The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is the leading organization promoting walkable, neighborhood-based development as an alternative to sprawl.

WEDGWOOD SQUARE ALERT

Tuesday at 7:00PM City Council Will Vote On 4 Items That Will Significantly Affect Our Neighborhood.

* Council Will Vote on M&C G-17133 To Alter The Policies Affecting Neighborhood Empowerment Zones (Which WE Are) In A Way That May Limit Or Remove Our Residents From Planning And Decision Making.

* Council Will Vote on M&C G-17142 To Renew Or Not Renew Our Neighborhood Empowerment Zone under the new or old policies.

* Council Will Vote on ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D To Alter The Mixed-Use Zoning Ordinance And Building Standards In A Way That May Encourage Taller Building Structures (Maybe As Tall As 5 Stories), Denser Population Growth, And Different Retail.

The Next Morning, Wednesday at 10:00 AM City Council Appointed Zoning Commission Will Vote On ZC-11-001 A Related Item That Will Significantly Affect Our Neighborhood.

*Zoning Will Vote on ZC-11-001 To Change The Zoning Of The Apartment Complex Just Demolished On Our Street From E Commercial To MU-1 Mixed Use.

Fort Worth City, Through The Fort Worth Housing Finance Corporation, Managed By The Fort Worth Housing And Economic Development Department, Purchased And Demolished The Apartments At The End Of Wooten Drive. According To The City, They Want The Apartments To Be Redeveloped As Mixed-Use, Mixed-Income Apartments. The City Wasted No Time To Submit An Application To Alter This Property's Zoning From E Commercial To MU-1 Or Mixed Use-1. The Previous Night's Council Vote To Alter The Mixed-Use Zoning Ordinance Will Clearly Affect The Development Of This Property If The Zoning Of This Property Is Altered.

The City Has NOT Contacted and Discussed These Issues With The Neighborhood Association NOR You The Resident, Though This New Development, Especially With These New Rules, Will Definitely Affect Your Property Values and Quality Of Life. The Changes MAY Be Good For Us OR Not. But We Don't Know Because No One Has Talked To Us Or Included Us In The Planning Or Discussions.

Please Join Your Neighbors In Attending These Meetings To Tell The Zoning Commission And City Council What You Want (A 60-90 Day Delay Would Be Prudent At Minimum) Or Email The City Mayor And Council And Zoning Commission With Your Comments.

This Is Our Community And Our Home And These Changes Will Affect Us!

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Wedgwood Square's Letter to Council RE
M&C G-17133

On Friday, December 3, 2010, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, through routine review of the Fort Worth City Council's coming Council Agenda, learned of M&C G-17133 to be voted on tomorrow, Tuesday, December 7, 2010.

M&C G-17133 At first glance appears to be specific to West 7th/University Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, but it is not. The M&C further states that Council will "Conduct a Public Hearing, Adopt a Resolution to Terminate the West 7th/University Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, Adopt Amendments to the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives, the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Administrative Procedures and the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Policy Statement". Note that by State Law, this item must be approved by a favorable vote for adoption by seven Councilpersons. For the record, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, despite being one of only a few NEZ within the city that will be greatly affected by these policy changes, received no information or communication whatsoever, outside of the Council Agenda posted on the City's website just days in advance.

The Policy Changes, noted below, that are listed along with this M&C, are imprudently listed within an M&C specific to an action headlined to affect only a single Neighborhood Empowerment Zone. These policy changes should, however, be listed separately as an independent M&C and public process through information meetings and a dialogue between the City and existing Neighborhood Empowerment Zones, should be respected and honored.

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone was unanimously approved by Council in April of 2005. Since that time, Wedgwood Square Officers have inquired with Elected Officials and Staff multiple times, as to the steps needed and process in place for designing Wedgwood Square's Strategic Plan; the City has never actively responded to these Officers' requests, as though this planning was of no real importance; Wedgwood Square Officers have received the impression that nothing would be done on this point until it suited the City. It seems that only two NEZ have strategic plans in place, according to the City's website. Removing the Strategic Planning policy for designated NEZ, removes the already thwarted responsibility of the City to include the neighborhood in the planning of these NEZ communities.

In the last few years, business owners and residents alike have contacted Wedgwood Square Officers to inform us of their NEZ related experiences. Upon inquiring with the City, one businesses was informed that it did not fall within NEZ boundaries, though it certainly did, and this business was turned away by the City when seeking NEZ assistance, until Wedgwood Square Officers provided a letter to our District 6 City Councilperson, Mr. Jungus Jordan, and to the business owner. Residents inquiring about NEZ benefits that might assist them in reinvesting in residential properties have been repeatedly informed that they do not qualify for any NEZ incentives, but without real explanation. So it is no surprise to me that the City's opinion might be that the NEZ is doing nothing for our community, as history shows that may indeed be the City's desire.

It is interesting that policy, by way of M&C G-17133, would be altered to require that the applicant provide proof that the applicant's project is located within a NEZ and further that the project is in compliance with the adopted NEZ plan, when the M&C G-17133 policy changes simultaneously seek to remove the strategic plan requirement from policy and to include project approval from the District Councilperson. Does this mean that NEZ plans will be created and projects will be approved, but simply without the input of the neighborhoods?

These policy changes appear to affect all Neighborhood Empowerment Zones. The need for these policy changes has not been completely or adequately expressed and justified, through the Council agenda and listed additional information, to existing Neighborhood Empowerment Zones. No City Official or Staff has, at any time, notified Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone of this upcoming M&C, to any degree.

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone adamantly opposes the NEZ policy changes listed in M&C G-17133 at this time and requests that no policy changes be made now or until the City has met with and discussed these proposed changes and the intent of these proposed NEZ policy changes with every current and pending Neighborhood Empowerment Zone.

Please do not approve M&C G-17133 as presented. Please provide the respect that is due to these involved communities and delay, even indefinitely, until these communities have been included in this discussion and until public process has been truly honored.

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Wedgwood Square's Letter To Council RE: M&C G-17142

On Friday, December 3, 2010, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, through routine review of the Fort Worth City Council's coming Council Agenda, learned of M&C G-17142 to be voted on tomorrow, Tuesday, December 7, 2010. It is unfortunate that no notice of the renewal of Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone was provided to the neighborhood or Officers in advance of the Friday, December 3, 2010 required public posting of Tuesday's December 7, 2010 Council Agenda.

M&C G-17142 Seeks to "Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt Ordinance Concerning Renewal of the Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Reinvestment Zone No. 24".

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone was unanimously approved by Council in April of 2005.

Since that time, Wedgwood Square Officers have inquired with Elected Officials and Staff multiple times, as to the steps needed and process in place for designing Wedgwood Square's Strategic Plan; the City has never actively responded to these Officers' requests, as though this planning was of no real importance; Wedgwood Square Officers have received the impression that nothing would be done on this point until it suited the City. It seems that only two NEZ have strategic plans in place, according to the City's website. Wedgwood Square NEZ would very much like to fulfill the strategic planning process, as Officers have tried to do so for the last five years and requests that any and all future planning for and of Wedgwood Square NEZ include the neighborhood's Officers and residents.

In the last few years, business owners and residents alike have contacted Wedgwood Square Officers to inform us of their NEZ related experiences. Upon inquiring with the City, one businesses was informed that it did not fall within NEZ boundaries, though it certainly did, and this business was turned away by the City when seeking NEZ assistance, until Wedgwood Square Officers provided a letter to our District 6 City Councilperson, Mr. Jungus Jordan, and to the business owner. Residents inquiring about NEZ benefits that might assist them in reinvesting in residential properties have been repeatedly informed that they do not qualify for any NEZ incentives, but without real explanation. So it would not be a surprise if the City's opinion might be that the NEZ is doing nothing for our community, as history shows that may indeed be the City's desire, though it is not the desire of the community.

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone supports the renewal under current NEZ Policy of Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone M&C G-17142 and requests that no NEZ policy changes be made now or until the City has met with and discussed these proposed changes and the intent of these proposed NEZ policy changes with every current and pending Neighborhood Empowerment Zone.

Please approve M&C G-17142 to renew Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone under current NEZ policy and as Wedgwood Square NEZ has already and previously been defined from April 2005 through December 2010.

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Wedgwood Square's Letter To Council RE:
ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D

On Friday, December 3, 2010, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, through routine review of the Fort Worth City Council's coming Council Agenda, learned of ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D to be voted on tomorrow, Tuesday, December 7, 2010. It is unfortunate that no notice of this M&C was provided to the neighborhood or Officers of our affected community in advance of the Friday, December 3, 2010 required public posting of the Council Agenda.

ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D seeks to amend Mixed Use Districts, through "An Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fort Worth, being Ordinance No. 13896, as amended, codified as Appendix "A" of the Code of the City of Fort Worth to Amend...".

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone was only just informed on November 22, 2010 that properties within Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone might be rezoned to Mixed-Use through applications to the City Council appointed Fort Worth City Zoning Commission, that were not previously discussed with or disclosed to Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone until the required notice was forwarded by the City. This Zoning application to rezone Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone properties that directly abut residential homes, will be heard tomorrow morning, Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 10:00 AM. Your decision on ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D will directly impact Wedgwood Square property owners through the City's zoning change request to be heard tomorrow morning; the Zoning agenda posted on the City's website also states that tomorrow morning's decisions will be heard by City Council, not in thirty days but in one week on December 14, 2010, unless there is an error in this agenda.

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Officers have attempted to be included in the redevelopment planning process for our community since before 2005 and have aggressively attempted to seek answers and information regarding the City's plans for redevelopment of our community for several months. When absence of response or an inadequate responses were returned, a Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Officer filed a request for public information with the City on November 2, 2010. Though some records are being collected to fulfill this request for public records, Wedgwood Square has seen none of these records as the City filed a request for a decision with the Attorney General's Office, to support withholding "some or all" of this data, which the City feels to be confidential. Therefore Wedgwood Square still has not been informed of plans which have been underway since early 2007.

On Saturday, December 4, 2010 Fort Worth City Planning Manager, Mr. Eric Fladager, informed Wedgwood Square and other District 6 Neighborhood Officers, that a "charrette", which is defined as "an intense period of design activity" took place in 2008. At this meeting or meetings, a general design and plan for Wedgwood Square's business and residential corridor along Granbury Road and S-820 and surrounding the planned Wedgwood Square light rail station was determined. Mr. Fladager stated that City Officials, City Staff and several large-property owners in the affected area were present. However, Wedgwood Square Officers were not informed of this "charrette" and therefore the community and residents were not included in this planning.

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone respectfully requests a delay in the language alterations to the current Mixed-Use Zoning Ordinance now and indefinitely, until proper public process and discussions with all communities, neighborhoods, residents and businesses living near and among mixed-use zoning, current or planned, has taken place.

Please do not approve ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D to alter the Mixed Use Ordinance at this time. Please support Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone's community, businesses, and residents and any other current or planned Mixed Use areas of the City, in receiving public process and information in advance and in being included in the process of this important development decision before it is too late for those who will be living with the results, good or otherwise. This change in language will significantly and permanently affect residents and businesses that will be included in and near Mixed Use Zoning and these Citizens and Tax Payers have the right to understand what will soon affect their property values and rights and quality of life in advance of the such a decision, which currently appears as though it is being forced upon us.

Please also request that Zoning Application ZC-11-001, to be heard tomorrow morning by the Zoning Commission, be delayed now and indefinitely, until the City has met with Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Officers, businesses and residents to explain the impact of this zoning to our community.

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Wedgwood Square's Letter To Council RE:
ZC-11-001

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone was only just informed on November 22, 2010 that properties within Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone might be rezoned to Mixed-Use through applications, ZC-11-001, to the Fort Worth City Zoning Commission, that were not previously discussed with or disclosed to Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone until the required notice was forwarded by the City. This Zoning application requests to rezone properties directly abutting residential homes. Council's decision the previous evening on ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D will directly impact Wedgwood Square property owners, now in even more unknown ways. The Zoning agenda posted on the City's website also states that tomorrow morning's decisions will be heard by City Council, not in thirty days but in one week on December 14, 2010, unless there is an error in this agenda.

On Friday, December 3, 2010, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, through routine review of the Fort Worth City Council's coming Council Agenda, learned of ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D to be voted on tomorrow, Tuesday, December 7, 2010. It is unfortunate that no notice of this M&C was provided to the neighborhood or Officers of our community in advance of the Friday, December 3, 2010 required public posting of the Council Agenda. ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D seeks to amend Mixed Use Districts, through "An Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fort Worth, being Ordinance No. 13896, as amended, codified as Appendix "A" of the Code of the City of Fort Worth to Amend...".

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Officers have attempted to be included in the redevelopment planning process for our community since before 2005 and have aggressively attempted to seek answers and information regarding the City's plans for redevelopment of our community for several months. When absences of responses or inadequate responses were returned, a Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Officer filed a request for public information with the City on November 2, 2010. Though some records are being collected to fulfill this request for public records, Wedgwood Square has seen none of these records as the City filed a request for a decision with the Attorney General's Office, to support withholding "some or all" of this data, which the City feels to be confidential. Therefore Wedgwood Square still has not been informed of plans which have been underway since early 2007.

On Saturday, December 4, 2010 Fort Worth City Planning Manager, Mr. Eric Fladager, informed Wedgwood Square and other District 6 Neighborhood Officers, that a "charrette", which is defined as "an intense period of design activity" took place in 2008. At this meeting or meetings, a general design and plan for Wedgwood Square's business and residential corridor along Granbury Road and S-820 and surrounding the planned Wedgwood Square light rail station was determined. Mr. Fladager stated that City Officials, City Staff and several large-property owners in the affected area were present. However, Wedgwood Square Officers were not informed of this "charrette" and therefore the community and residents were not included in this planning.

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone respectfully requests a delay in the language alterations to the current Mixed-Use Zoning Ordinance now and indefinitely, until proper public process and discussions with all communities, neighborhoods, residents and businesses living near and among mixed-use zoning, current or planned, has taken place.

Council Item ZC-10-183 A, B, C, D to alter the Mixed Use Ordinance and ZC -11-001 to rezone area property and their combined meaning, intent, pros and cons have never been discussed with our community. Please support Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone's community, businesses, and residents in receiving public process and information in advance and to be included in the process of this important development decision before it is too late for those who will be living with the results, good or otherwise. This change in zoning will significantly and permanently affect residents and businesses that are very near to this property and these Citizens and Tax Payers have the right to understand what will soon affect their property values and rights and quality of life in advance of the such a decision, which currently appears as though it is being forced upon us.

Please do not approve Zoning Application ZC-11-001 at this time but delay it now and indefinitely, until the City has met with Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Officers, businesses and residents to explain the impact of this zoning to our community.

EMAIL : mike.moncrief@fortworthgov.org, District2@fortworthgov.org, District3@fortworthgov.org, District4@fortworthgov.org, District5@fortworthgov.org, District6@fortworthgov.org, District7@fortworthgov.org, District8@fortworthgov.org District9@fortworthgov.org, dana.burghdoff@fortworthgov.org

Please Help Wedgwood Square: 4 Important Votes to Affect Our Neighborhood Will Take Place THIS WEEK. Numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 below.

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association and Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (Wedgwood Square) needs our residents' voices and help in addressing eminent and pending City of Fort Worth actions taking place this week, that will shape the future of our neighborhood. The information below is extensive, but vital for Wedgwood Square residents to know and weigh in on. The decisions being made this week WILL affect our community for years to come.

As many of you are already aware, Wedgwood Square's Northern corner, at Granbury Road and S-820, is the planned site for a future light rail station, currently referred to as the Granbury Road Station and similar a similar Mixed-Use development, light rail station that is already referred to as the Summer Creek Station, located in Summer Creek neighborhood.

The Transportation Authority has purchased, through eminent domain, several of the businesses and properties located along Granbury Road and Wonder Drive, including the old and now demolished Wedgwood Bowling Alley and the Wedgwood Veterinary Clinic; thankfully the veterinary clinic will move to a new location that is still within Wedgwood Square.

The City of Fort Worth, through the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corporation purchased the old, dilapidated Granbury Hills Apartment Complex (previously named Cherry Hills and Park Hill Apartment Complex) and has already begun to demolish the structures on this property. At a November 19, 2010 ceremony, marking the demolition, Fort Worth Housing Director, Mr. Jay Chapa, stated that this particular property would be redeveloped to include a Mixed-Use and Mixed-Income Housing Project that would include apartment-like residential and commercial purposes under one roof. District 6 City Councilperson, Mr. Jungus Jordan, stated that the area surrounding this property would be rezoned as a Transportation Oriented Development-Tax Financing Increment District or as a TOD-TIF. Both representatives, however, stated that nothing would be done to or with this property and that it would sit vacant for some period of time.

New information has surfaced in the last few days, that indicates several unexpected steps are being taken this week to redevelop this business and residential corridor of Wedgwood Square.

1) On Tuesday, at the Fort Worth City Council's December 7, 2010 7:00 PM public meeting, City Council will vote on M&C-G-17139, to renew or not renew Wedgwood Square's Neighborhood Empowerment Zone designation, which Wedgwood Square Officers applied for and received unanimous City Council approval for in April of 2005. Wedgwood Square Officers only learned of this agenda item on Friday, December 3, 2010, when the City Council agenda was publicly posted. Wedgwood Square requests that our residents write to the Mayor and City Council asking that Wedgwood Square's NEZ designation, M&C G-17139, be approved and renewed at this time.

2) Also on Council's same evening agenda, is M&C G-17133. This item initially appears only to apply to one specific NEZ elsewhere in Fort Worth City. However, a closer review indicates that this item also alters all NEZ policy through amendments proposed for adoption to the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives, the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Administrative Procedures and the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Policy Statement.

These amendments to all NEZ policies are extensive and will not only impact those seeking to use NEZ benefits, but also impact the level of involvement the NEZ has in future planning, direction, and public process.No notice of such NEZ policy changes, if indeed these changes are to affect every NEZ unilaterally, were ever discussed with Wedgwood Square. The insertion of this language into one single and specific NEZ agenda item, does not adequately express or set apart such as the significant policy change that is is proposed here.

The details of this action in plainer terms are as follows: On June 8, 2010, the Housing and Economic Development Department recommended the following amendments to the NEZ program.

Amendments to NEZ Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives, the NEZ Administrative Procedures, and the NEZ Policy Statement:

NEZ Policy Amendments:

Tax Abatements: Tax Abatements for a new construction project will automatically terminate two years after Council approval of the tax abatement if a building permit has not been pulled and a foundation has not been poured. Tax Abatements for a rehabilitation project will automatically terminate two years after Council approval of the tax abatement if the project is not complete.

Strategic Plan: Remove the requirement for a Strategic Plan in order to designate an area as a NEZ.

NEZ Certifications: In order for a project to be certified to receive benefits under the NEZ Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives, the application must include proof that: * The Project is located in a NEZ; * The Public Notification Process has been completed as stated in section IX; * The Project is in compliance with the adopted NEZ plan; and * The Council Member for the district in which the project is located has approved the project.

Other NEZ Certification changes:
* NEZ Certifications will expire after five years
* NEZ benefits will continue for certified projects 18 months after a NEZ is terminated or boundary changed

Fees: Additional Development Fees waived:
* Transportation Impact Fees
* Urban Forestry Application Fees
* Sign Permit Fees {Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Fees not waived or reduced as noted in Chapter 7 of the Fort Worth Code include:
* Investigation Fees
* Plan Revision Fees
* Change of Record Fees
* Inspection outside of normal business hours Reinspection Fee
* Building Permits where work has not commenced will be charged.}

Housekeeping Items:
* Change Housing to Housing and Economic Development and Development to Planning and Development in the NEZ Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives and the NEZ Policy Statement
* Add definitions for Affordable Units, New Construction and Primary Residence to NEZ Policy
* Revise administrative procedures for the Housing and Economic Development Department and the Planning and Development Department in the NEZ Administrative Procedures to reflect current responsibilities {According to State Law, in order to adopt the attached amendments, seven members of the City Council must vote in favor of adoption.}

3) Just days after the demolition of the Granbury Hills Apartment Complex began, Wedgwood Square Officers received a notice from the City, informing the neighborhood that the City had applied to have the newly demolished Apartment Complex property rezoned from E Commercial to Mixed-Use-1. This application ZC-11-001 will be heard by and voted on by the City Council appointed Zoning Commission on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 10:00 AM at City Hall and then heard and voted on by City Council, according to the Zoning Commission agenda notes, on December 14, 2010. No mention of this application was made to Wedgwood Square Officers in advance of the required notice to the Association. Wedgwood Square has requested that District 6 City Councilperson Jungus Jordan delay this Zoning Application until further discussion with Wedgwood Square Officers and residents has taken place. The implications of Mixed-Use Zoning and of recently proposed language amendments to this zoning are still largely unknown at this time. It is typical for zoning applications to be delayed and applicants requested to meet with the area neighborhood association Officers and/or residents in advance of a final Zoning Commission decision on such an important application, when the request, if granted, will certainly affect surrounding properties. Wedgwood Square does not have a position at this time on the rezoning of this property; Wedgwood Square simply would like to meet with the person involved in this process, who are submitting this application, to fully understand what the long-term affects of such rezoning might be. Wedgwood Square requests that our residents write to the Mayor and City Council and to the Zoning Commission's supportive staff contact, requesting that this application ZC-11-001 be delayed until discussions have taken place between the City and Wedgwood Square Officers and residents.

4) Also on Tuesday's, December 7, 2010 City Council agenda is an item ZC-10-183A that will amend the Mixed Use Zoning language to alter the allowable building standards of Mixed Use Zoned properties. This language is being reviewed by Wedgwood Square NA and NEZ Officers now, as there has been some discussion that such Mixed-Use Zoning language will allow for taller or higher structures next to or near to ordinary, one story high residential homes. There are many more Mixed-Use Zones already planned for Fort Worth City, including, as we now know, within Wedgwood Square. The full implications of the current Mixed-Use Zoning and of language amendments to Mixed-Use Zoning are not yet fully understood and Wedgwood Square Officers and residents have not truly had the opportunity to learn how this will directly affect Wedgwood Square property values and quality of life or how this type of zoning and development will impact the future of Wedgwood Square. The changes to the language of the Mixed-Use definitions will almost definitely affect Wedgwood Square properties as we now know that Mixed-Use zoning and development is planned for and pending in our neighborhood. This development will shape the future property values and quality of life for all businesses and residents surrounding it. The change could be very positive, but Wedgwood Square wants to be certain all residents know and understand this important alteration to our community before it is finalized and not after. Other Fort Worth neighborhoods, as was brought to our attention by the Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods, have noted a desire for this vote to be delayed, in light of the more extensive Mixed-Use Zoning planned for the City and its residents, until more information and discussion has taken place within the neighborhoods Wedgwood Square would like to know how our residents feel about this issue and ask that you send your comments regarding this matter to Wedgwood Square and to Fort Worth City's Mayor and City Council.

Additional Information: This morning, at a District 6 meeting with Councilperson Jungus Jordan and District 6 Neighborhood Officers, Fort Worth City Planning Manager, Mr. Eric Fladager, informed Wedgwood Square and other District 6 Neighborhood Officers, that a "charrette", which is defined as "an intense period of design activity" took place in 2008. At this meeting or meetings, a general design and plan for Wedgwood Square's business and residential corridor along Granbury Road and S-820 and surrounding the planned Wedgwood Square light rail station was determined. Mr. Fladager stated that City Officials, City Staff and several large-property owners in the affected area were present. However, Wedgwood Square Officers were not informed of this "charrette" and were not included in this planning.

Other Related Facts: In an attempt to learn what plans are in store for Wedgwood Square, and not receiving adequate answers from inquiries to the City, a Wedgwood Square Officer filed a Public Information Request in early November, to obtain whatever records were available, so information could then be shared with the Wedgwood Square residents. The City has begun to gather some of the requested information to supply in response to this record request, but also has filed a request for a decision with the Attorney General's Office to withhold some of these records, stating that some of the information within the records is confidential.

To date, Wedgwood Square Officers have not truly been included in or privy to the discussions leading to the redevelopment of Wedgwood Square, despite requests for inclusion. Wedgwood Square stated at this morning's meeting, again, that Wedgwood Square wanted to be and expected to be included in any discussion that involved planning redevelopment of Wedgwood Square. Councilperson Jungus Jordan gave his word that Wedgwood Square and surrounding neighborhoods would be informed of and included in any future planning meetings or discussions of this redevelopment.

Please help Wedgwood Square in handling these matters. This is your community, You should have a voice in these matters. Please contact your Mayor and Council by phone, letter, fax, or email as soon as possible, to share your position and please pass that position on to Wedgwood Square so that our neighborhood is properly represented by your elected Wedgwood Square Officers. Please forward this to other Wedgwood Square residents who may not currently be receiving email correspondence.

A list of this week's related, scheduled meetings is below with a list of links that will direct you to more information about these meetings and a list of your Mayoral and Council contact information.

*Wedgwood Square will hold its first 2011 Quarterly meeting in January of 2011, please look for our notice of this meeting and plan to attend.

Related Meetings:

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 7:00 PM 1000 Throckmorton (Downtown City Hall) Fort Worth City Council to vote on Wedgwood Square's NEZ renewal and on amendments to Mixed-Use Ordinance language.
http://www.fortworthgov.org/council_packet/create_council_agenda.asp
http://www.fortworthgov.org/council_packet/mc_review.asp?ID=14462&counci...

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 10:00 AM 1000 Throckmorton (Downtown City Hall) Fort Worth Zoning Commission to vote on the rezoning of property in Wedgwood Square Neighborhood from E Commercial to MU-1 Low Intensity Mixed Use. This property is the recently demolished Granbury Hills Apartment Complex located at Wonder Drive, Wooten Drive, and Wedgway Drive in Wedgwood Square's Northern Corner.
http://www.fortworthgov.org/uploadedFiles/Agendas/2010/1208_Zoning.pdf

Other Likely Related Meetings:

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 1:00 PM 1000 Throckmorton (Downtown City Hall) Fort Worth City Council Pre-Council Meeting; an open-public meeting.
http://www.fortworthgov.org/council_packet/create_precouncil_agenda.asp

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 1:00 PM 1000 Throckmorton (Downtown City Hall) Fort Worth Housing Finance Corporation Meeting
http://www.fortworthgov.org/uploadedFiles/Agendas/2010/1207_HFC.pdf

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 1:00 PM 1000 Throckmorton (Downtown City Hall) Fort Worth Local Development Corporation Meeting
http://www.fortworthgov.org/uploadedFiles/Agendas/2010/1207_LDC.pdf

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 1:00 PM 1000 Throckmorton (Downtown City Hall) Fort Worth Housing and Economic Development Committee Meeting
http://www.fortworthgov.org/uploadedFiles/Agendas/2010/1207_HEDC.pdf

Contacts:
Fort Worth City Mayor and Council:
mike.moncrief@fortworthgov.org,
District2@fortworthgov.org,
District3@fortworthgov.org,
District4@fortworthgov.org,
District5@fortworthgov.org,
District6@fortworthgov.org,
District7@fortworthgov.org,
District8@fortworthgov.org
District9@fortworthgov.org

Fort Worth City Zoning Commission Supportive Staff Contact, Dana Burghdoff dana.burghdoff@fortworthgov.org

Additional Information Links:

Fort Worth City Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Lists and Information:
http://www.fortworthgov.org/ecd/info/default.aspx?id=5422

Wedgwood Square NEZ Map from Fort Worth City Website:
http://www.fortworthgov.org/uploadedFiles/Development/Process_for_Develo...

Fort Worth City 2009 Mixed-Use Advisory Group Website Posted Information:
http://www.fortworthgov.org/citynews/default.aspx?id=78834

Mixed Use 2010 Power Point Information:
http://www.fortworthgov.org/uploadedFiles/Planning_and_Development/Board...

Celebrate the Holidays with Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association's 1st Annual Holiday Lights and Yard Decoration Contest!

With the Holidays in full swing, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association (WSNA) wants to encourage neighborhood-wide celebration through participation in the the First Annual WSNA Holiday Lights and Yard Decoration Contest. WSNA residents are invited, for the first time, to share the holiday spirit by decorating their homes and yards in a friendly competition that may earn you a little extra holiday spending money.

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Who may enter? Any home within the boundaries of Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association that is decorated on its exterior and/or front yard with holiday lights and/or decorations, before or by December 17, 2010, will be automatically entered in this friendly neighborhood competition, unless a homeowner writes explicitly requesting to be excluded. Judges are ineligible to win.

Tell your neighbors!!!

Please be certain that no decorations violate any Fort Worth City Code(s)!

Want to especially point out your own or another home? Send us an email!

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The DEADLINE for entering is Thursday, December 16, 2010.

JUDGING begins on Friday, December 17, 2010.

WINNERS will be announced and able to collect their PRIZES on Monday, December 20, 2010.

WINNING ADDRESSES will be announced so that all WSNA Residents may drive by for a game of eye-spy and look for inspiration for next year's competition.

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Categories and Prizes:

Overall Best: $75.00 Gift Card

Most Beautiful Traditional: $50.00 Gift Card

Most Fun and Creative: $50.00 Gift Card

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WE HOPE YOU'LL PARTICIPATE!!! GOOD LUCK ALL WSNA HOLIDAY DECORATING ENTHUSIASTS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WEDGWOOD SQUARE!!!

Join Wedgwood Square to Mark the End of an Era!

The demolition of the Grandbury Hills Apartment Complex, located at Wooten Drive, Wonder Drive and Wedgeway Drive, will be marked with a commemorative gathering on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 10:00AM. Councilperson Jordan and Police Chief Halstead will attend the gathering.

As you know, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone has worked since late 2002, for nearly eight years, for a solution to and to see some relief for the neighborhood from the criminal and other issues that this property has plagued our community with for more than two decades.

When questioned by Wedgwood Square Officers and Residents about the future development of this property, Councilperson Jordan has publicly stated multiple times that the property will privately developed as downstairs retail with upstairs condo/apartment living, that should compliment the extensive redevelopment of Wedgwood Square's entire business corridor, related to the Light Rail Station, planned for Wedgwood Square's Northern Corner on part of a 13 acre property now owned by Chesapeake Energy (the
Pancho's shopping center).

Finally, after many many emails, calls, meetings and more, Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Empowerment Zone will mark the end of of an era and looks to the future with great hope for community improvement that all of our residents can be proud of. Join us!

Aug 31st Meeting: Wedgwood Redevelopment Discussion

Many of you already know that there are a lot of real estate transactions and planning for redevelopment in the Wedgwood area.

Wedgwood East Neighborhood Association is generously hosting a meeting for interested and concerned Wedgwood residents, who would like to learn more about coming redevelopment.

Councilman Jordan and Representatives from the Fort Worth Housing Authority will attend to answer questions regarding the possible Affordable Housing usage of the Carlyle Crossing Apartments on Vega, the City's proposed use of the now vacant Southwest Bank Building, and Cash America's purchase of the old Blockbuster Video building located on Alta Mesa.

Do you have questions? Do you want to learn more about these changes in the neighborhood? Then please come to the following meeting.

MEETING DAY/TIME/LOCATION: On Tuesday, August 31st at 7:00 PM at Unity Church Sanctuary on Woodway.

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REAL ESTATE/REDEVELOPMENT DETAILS:

Recently, plans were announced by Fort Worth City Councilman Jungus Jordan to lease to own the old Southwest Bank building at the corner of S-820 and Woodway, as a satellite Municipal Building. Southwest Bank has built a new facility on the rear portion of that same lot and put the older building, still in beautiful shape, on the market. According to the City, the building's proposed uses would include municipal services such as in-person Water Department payments, a Code Compliance Office Space, and Municipal Courts Transactions.

Also, The Trinity River Public Facility Corporation, which sounds to be a division of the Fort Worth Housing Authority, but is definitively separate from the Trinity River Vision Authority, has voted and approved their ability to purchase the Vega Drive, Carlyle Crossing Apartment Complex, located near to the Carlton Apartments, and has reportedly made a bid on the property for the use of affordable housing.

There is also some discussion of redevelopment to the commercial shopping center located along Alta Mesa. Cash America, who already does business in this immediate area, has purchased the old Blockbuster Video building and plans to relocate there.

Already, many buildings have changed hands and project plans have surfaced.

In 2008 Chesapeake Energy purchased the 13 acre "Pancho's" Shopping Center in the hopes of using the property as a future drill site.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority has purchased the Wedgwood Veterinarian Clinic, the Wedgwood Bowling Alley, the Groomers, Wonder Donuts, and surrounding lots. Wedgwood Veterinarian Clinic will happily remain in the area and plans to build and move to the S-820 access road, near to CVS Pharmacy and Cooper's Shoes and the Wedgwood Bowling Alley has already been demolished. The Fort Worth Transportation Authority plans to install a light rail depot in this area and redevelopment plans surrounding it have already been in the works for some time now.

You may already know that Fort Worth City has purchased the Granbury Hills Apartment Complex, formerly the Cherry Hills and Park Hill Apartments, at Trail Lake Drive and Wedgwood Drive. Fort Worth has just this week approved a budget to demolish this long-time dilapidated and troublesome property. The City has stated that the cleared property will be resold to a private developer with the intent for mixed-use retail and living spaces.

Also, more recently, a Direction's Home Permanent Supportive Housing Project for Chronically Homeless Persons was suggested as redevelopment for the Woodway located Carlton Apartments. The surrounding residents were not satisfied with the time-frame, process, citizen input and limited information that was provided proceeding this proposal and based upon Citizens' comments, the project was voted down by Fort Worth City Council.

Following the Direction's Home Carlton Project, many of you indicated that you would like to experience greater Citizen Input and Public Process, both of which Wedgwood Square NEZ believes is a fundamental right of the Citizens of the City of Fort Worth. Therefore, we hope you'll join us and thank Wedgwood East Neighborhood Association for hosting on Tuesday, August 31st at 7:00PM in the Sanctuary of Unity Church.

See you there!