FORT WORTH -- Seven properties were added to Historic Fort Worth's list of endangered places Tuesday, including some that caused political headaches at City Hall.
The Forest Park pool complex, 2850 Park Place Ave. The pool, which was built in 1922 and needed expensive repairs, was closed in 2010 as part of city cutbacks that shaved operations at all outdoor pools.Urban villages at Hemphill and Berry streets and in the 6000 and 6100 blocks of Camp Bowie Boulevard.The first site is where Wal-Mart is being allowed to tear down a former grocery store and rebuild."It is unfortunate that a large retailer with the sophistication and resources to adapt its project to urban village design guidelines was not made to do so," Historic Fort Worth said. "What must not have been understood is that by lowering the design bar for this retailer, other prospective businesses will expect the same sweetheart deal."The second site is where the city used zoning laws to prohibit bars along the street and at the Ridglea Theater, which is being renovated. That decision carved out the most significant historic buildings from one of the business mixes that make urban villages work, the group told the city.Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy St. The 1954 building was designed by an Austrian architect. It once housed the Modern Art Museum and is now home to several art-affiliated groups.The onset of paid parking threatens the groups that count on the public for support and in turn hurts the building, according to Historic Fort Worth. The city imposed a parking fee at both the new city garage and on parking lots in the Cultural District.Jody Ulich, president of the Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, said that the parking fee "has created a barrier" and that some arts groups are "devastated" by the drop in attendance as a result.Andrew and Geraldine Fuller House, 4161 Charron Lane. It was built in 1953 and designed by internationally acclaimed Los Angeles architect A. Quincy Jones. The "geometric masterpiece" could be in danger of demolition.The old Renfro Drug Store, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave./526-28 Henderson St. It was built in 1929 and is owned by Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth.The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, built between 1900 and 1924. Less than 10 percent of the buildings are designated as landmarks.Mitchell Cemetery, 1300 NE 28th St. It was started in 1848 and has 30 graves of pioneers who settled the area.Historic Fort Worth issues a list of endangered properties to raise awareness of historic structures and places that have no protection from demolition or neglect.Sandra Baker, 817-390-7727Twitter: @SandraBakerFWST
Back on the list
Here are properties returning to Historic Fort Worth's list of endangered places and the number of times each has made the list.
Will Rogers Memorial Complex, 3301 W. Lancaster Ave. (2)
Farrington Field, 1502 N. University Drive (5)
Texas & Pacific warehouse, 300 block of West Lancaster Avenue (7)
Fort Worth Power & Light/TXU power plant, 100-300 N. Main St. (7)
Online: www. historicfortworth.org
Source: Historic Fort Worth
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