Progress vs. preservation: How Weatherford traffic loop may affect historic farmstead

As one of the fastest growing cities in the state, Weatherford must evolve by building more housing and roads.

But such progress and growth can sometimes come with a price.

This time, it also involves push-back from residents.

Parker County officials are planning to build an east loop bypass to alleviate traffic in and around Weatherford, but the proposed route would dissect the Byron Farmstead historic district.

The Byron Farmstead, which sits on almost 86 acres, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (since 2007) and is noted as one of the few remaining examples of early pioneer life in the county, with architectural and archaeological resources dating to 1893.

The proposed east loop would stretch from Interstate 20 at Center Point Road to North Main Street (FM 51), a distance of almost seven miles. It would run through U.S. 180 and FM 730 and merge with the Ric Williamson Memorial Highway, also known the 5.6-mile west loop that extends to I-20 west of Weatherford.

Parker County voters approved a transportation bond in 2016 that provided $56.6 million in funding for the east loop.

Written feedback

County officials held a public meeting Feb. 6 at Mary Martin Elementary School to give citizens a chance to write down their thoughts on the east loop project. The feedback is being reviewed by county officials and others.

However, some in attendance did express their thoughts on the subject. And many are not happy about it.

“I think it needs to be left as is,” Weatherford resident Stacie Burnham said. “I would rather see more money spent to go around it. I’m a realtor, and I’m all about community and progress, but I appreciate preservation, and I just think you go around things like that.”

But Tim Sansone of Freese and Nichols, the engineering firm on the project, said they are locked into one route through Byron Farmstead because of housing developments on the north and south sides of the property.

“We investigated alternative alignments, but we concluded the impact to more homes and more properties around was just too much,” said Sansone, a transportation/infrastructure engineer at Freese and Nichols.

Sansone said that none of the structures on the farm will be impacted by the current plan.

“That element will stay in place,” he said. “It’s not a working farm and access will be provided to both sides.”

Sansone did not say what that access will be.

“I have very mixed feelings, as much as we need the loop, I hate to dissect historic properties,” said Teri Hubbard of the Parker County Historical Commission. “Fortunately, none of the buildings are going to be affected.”

Negative impact?

Not everyone is satisfied with the proposed outcome, even if the historical buildings would be unharmed.

“There should be zero historical disturbance,” said Ross Mullens, 33, a lifelong resident. “There’s always another choice. People are going to find a way to get into Parker County. This project is not essential to our growth and it is not wanted by our residents.”

Bill Warren, a resident for 35 years, said the project would have a negative impact on the historical significance of Byron Farmstead and possibly on structures.

“They’re running very close to the two homes there,” he said. “This is by far the largest log cabin I’ve ever seen. I see it as a powerful teaching tool, and to me, from a teaching standpoint, you’ve got to have all of that together. You don’t want to have to walk across a highway to see it all.

“Also, there’s going to be a runoff because it looks like part of it is elevated, and being close to the road they’re probably going to put up lights. What effect is that going to have to the integrity of the property itself?”

Support for traffic route

But not everyone was opposed to the loop going through the farmstead.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing for this area,” said resident Mike Patillo. “If it saves one kid’s life from this area because of better access to medical facilities, it’s worth it.”

Mac Smith, 73, a lifelong resident, said improved traffic is a must.

“We need an effective way to move traffic, especially in the mornings and late afternoons/early evenings,” he said. “But I think it’s also important to look at the historical side of the county, and if you have artifacts that have been preserved, you need to try and keep them as such. I want to make sure there’s been a fair consideration of everything involved in this. I hope there’s a real dialogue back and forth.”

Project officials say they hope to smooth out the controversy with the dialogue and feedback. Construction could start in three or four months and the project should be finished in about two years, Sansone said.

“As we get that input, we’ll be considering that in the mitigation,” said Chris Bosco of Freese and Nichols.

Comments and ideas can still be sent in to Emily Reed, Historic Preservation Program Manager, Cox/McLain Environmental Consulting Inc., 8401 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, Texas, 78757. Or they can be emailed to emily@coxmclain.com.