More apartments in Bedford (section 8, sale, real estate)

[loves2read]

There is huge debate swirling on the NextDoor app in Bedford communities re the city council entertaining proposal for 800 apt complex at the Bedford Commons site
This was originally supposed to be "higher end" mixed use like what NRHills has over by Krogers w/some town homes, apartments over retail space--now it has deteriorated into only apartments and the developer is cutting back on green space, width of sidewalks, and adding more apartments--which is par for the course--
Real estate proposals work like bait/switch con games--they always propose something no one would object to and then in various "updates" return to scale back on the updates and add the money-making aspects...

Of course most of the people posting are totally against the apartments
Planning and Zoning board was split 4/3 in favor which means it gets out of committee and goes to City Council
Most of the people ON the City Council and the Mayor have come out against building more apartments in the past which was just campaign speak for I tell you what you want to hear until I need to make a decision--

Apartments have been the bane of Bedford for decades--since the early 80s when we moved there

The City owns the land--one of the largest plots available close to 121 in the MidCities--so it is very $$$
I doubt the developer is going to pay top dollar for it and if there is Federal grant money used to fund development then there will have to be Section 8 apartments available--not exactly a way to advertise a high end development...
It will create a big hardship for the ISD which is already struggling with high % of apartment kids as the SFR neighborhoods see lot of seniors aging and not moving out or prices going up and making it difficult for younger families to buy north of 121---some of the elementary schools bus apartment kids outside their catchments to fill empty classrooms...the numbers of apt kids have made big difference is the school ratings--
Lower socio-economic residents in apartments can have big impact on test scores
Schools are doing all they can--have good teachers for most part and spend money wisely--but lot to make up

Will be interesting to see if the apartment opponents do anything at the Bedford Blues Fest Labor Day to get more people involved and interested in opposing the measure
Dorothy McWhorter from the tax freeze for seniors is of course against the apartments and she can be effective in organizing but she can also be effective at antagonizing...

Bedford has some nice neighborhoods north of the freeway which have seen some nice price increases finally with scarcity in other areas
If those apartments are approved I would not think buying a home in Bedford would be a good idea
Police and other city services are stretched now---
Add 800 apartments and going to be even worse...

[jbb303]

I'm not crazy about this plan either. I've heard that 2 council members are planning to vote against it, which won't be enough to stop it, but is at least a start.


While I know this doesn't seem like a popular idea, I wouldn't take Dorothy McWhorter's view or online sentiment as any indication of the city as a whole. She's against everything the city does. The upcoming Boys Ranch bond election doesn't appear to be very popular on social media, but on surveys and at the citizen input meetings, 85-90% of the people participating said they would support it.

[loves2read]

There are some people who will be for it eventhough it is bad idea on so many levels because she is against it

[loves2read]

There is meeting for BEDFORD residents with some City Council and the Mayor Oct 12 7PM at the OLD Library across from City Hall
You have to register to get ticket
Google for Residential Outreach City of BEDFORD Oct 12
Might be way to register your protest
People say they have had trouble sending emails to Mayor and other pro council members--
Often times when controversial issue comes us they just let their mailboxes stay full to block comments...not saying that is what is happening--but it is certainly what Senators Cruz and Cornyn do when they don't want to hear from those opposing their stances...

[Dorothy86]

To: jbb and loves2read

Dorothy McWhorter does not hide behind a fake name when making postings on threads.

Understand there is a sale on backbones on Amazon.