"Irrelevant column devoid of any understanding...

...of how an improvement district works."

That is one of the comments on the latest column in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram by Mitch Schnurman.  Apparently he's on a roll.  And apparently doesn't realize the city he doesn't live in is made up of 300 miles, all of them in need of something, not just downtown, "central city", Seventh Street or his favorite boondoggle, the Trinity River Vision. 

As usual, the comments are more telling than the column.

The folks that "run" downtown and have the most to lose financially by taking downtown business over to 7th Street or the Southside don't want any part of it. They happen to be very influential and have spent many years making sure they control the political establishment in the city of Fort Worth. Don't think they are going to allow any changes until they buy up these new areas as well. And of course long term they don't want anything to impact their beloved Trinity River Vision the taxpayers are buying for them.

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How do you figure?

The editorial in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram left us shaking our heads, again.  The editor says this is the only Private/ Public Partnership (P3) that won't work.  Although, it is a project that is a direct result of their fist-pumping, paper-loving Trinity River Vision (a completely taxpayer funded project). 

They go on to say a good thing about P3's is "no bond election needed".  An election concerning a project in Fort Worth?  Not building something until you have the money?  YOUR own money?  Foreign concept around these parts.  (See the accompanying article," Fort Worth working to find $3.3 million dollars to redevelop Hunter Plaza" . )

A citizen commented on the way the Police and Fire Training Academy could be funded.  They get it.

They may try to get "Junior" Granger and "Mama" to front the deal as the citizens will pay when they're through with "Mama's Legacy"!!!!

Of all the capital projects on Cowtown's ever-expansive list of wants, this is the only one with a clock ticking.

The city sold the fire and police training building and the firing range at 1000 Calvert St. in 2011 to the Tarrant Regional Water District. Both departments still have access to those facilities under leases, but the contract on the firing range runs out Dec. 31, 2013. (The lease for the training building doesn't expire until the end of 2019.)

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