A close library for ‘far north’ Fort Worth

One in 5 Fort Worth residents lives in the far north neighborhoods, and usually not alone.

Far north Fort Worth has more families and children on average than the rest of the city. One out of every 3 households has a child in school.

Finally, those children will be able to use a full-service Fort Worth library.

The City Council voted last week to buy a prime $1.5 million site at 4264 Golden Triangle Blvd. near North Beach Street for a new library, as approved overwhelmingly by voters in a 2014 bond program.

The new library will include a Municipal Court kiosk for videoconferences, fines and fees, making life even easier for residents of far north Fort Worth.

Libraries have followed the city’s march northward. When the older Summerfields/Park Glen Branch Library was built almost 20 years ago, it was considered the branch for the far north neighborhoods.

Far north Fort Worth is a frustrating 25-minute drive from the downtown library, and that’s on the rare day with no traffic.

The city’s growth and success have spread toward Alliance Airport, and city services should naturally follow.

Voters approved the bonds 16 months ago, so it’s good to see a project finally moving.

Even now, construction will not begin until 2016 with completion in 2018. Voters should not have to wait that long to see results.

This story was originally published September 8, 2015 at 6:01 PM with the headline "A close library for ‘far north’ Fort Worth."