A hapless wannabe public works project which has never been approved by the public via a vote approving of project plans properly vetted, such as what happens in democratic, non-corrupt, modern towns in America, and the world, resulting in a mess which has been Boondoggling along for most of this century, with little seen for the inept effort.
We shall know this new information source as Deep Moat III.
Deep Moat III has been doing some Googling, both in decades past and present, pointing us to some interesting information. This may lead to multiple bloggings, with this first Deep Moat III inspired blogging coming from a link to a webpage on the Trinity River Vision Authority website.
On that webpage we get to explore the imaginary unique features of what is currently being called, by the Boondogglers, the Panther Island District.
The Explore the District's Unique Features introduction tell us...
Alongside the Trinity River, you’ll one day find ample new residences, outdoor spaces & riverwalks; pedestrian-friendly streets with a variety of transportation options; new parks, trails, a town lake and more. As new infrastructure and development occurs, the district will transform into a diverse live, work, play community organically grown for everyone. Take some time and explore all that Panther Island has in store.
Before we take some time to explore what Panther Island has in store, I have to make mention of something this imaginary nonsense always reminds me of.
Way back in the 1970s there was a hit TV show called The Rockford Files. In one memorable episode Rockford uncovers a real estate scam out in the California desert where the scammers were busing in elderly marks and conning them into buying property on which to build a retirement home. The scammer would point to the desert and tell the elderly victim this is where the lake will be, with your property being on the lake front, right next to the community center. One elderly person after another fell for the scam.
Of course this particular TV show con job did not include a local congresswoman's son being part of the con, raking in bucks from those being conned, such is the case in Fort Worth. In the end Rockford exposed the fraud. This has yet to happen in Fort Worth, at least, officially, with the Panther Island District con job.
Now let's take a look at all the unique features we learn about via the Boondoggle's website. Go to the link for the whole interactive experience, that and to cause you to wonder how many of your dollars the Boondoggle has spent on its various propaganda websites...
On the website when you click on a "unique feature" the map lights up showing you the location of that unique feature. But, like we already said, you need to go to the link for the complete experience. We'll just list the unique features and comment on them when motivated to do so.
TOWN LAKE & RIVERWALK
A 33-acre lake will be a focal point for Panther Island. A large public boardwalk will surround the lake, making it the perfect place for recreation on the river. Additionally, winding through the island will be over twelve miles of flowing canals and continuous public walkways. Creating the ability to live, work and play next to the water.
Why do they persist in calling a 33 acre water impoundment the Town Lake? Town Lake as opposed to Out of Town Lake? Why not Lake Panther? Since that Panther name seems to be so popular. Or Panther Pond, which would seem to be more accurate. And is this 33 acre size the final word? Over the decades the size of that imaginary pond has shrunk and grown over and over again.
THE TRINITY RIVER PROMENADE
Made up of a series of unique urban parks connecting lakes, canals and marinas—all connected by a network of trails and new pedestrian bridges —the Promenade is designed to improve connectivity along the river.
Unique urban parks? Was there a possibility of these being rural parks, what with being near the heart of the city? Will these urban parks be unique because they will have modern restroom facilities, rather than the Fort Worth city park norm of outhouses?
PROMENADE FEATURES
Kayak launch pads, Kayak / watercraft storage, Riverbanks lined with shade trees, 12 ft-wide waterside paths, Water taxi landings, and more on the way.
I do not believe I have ever seen a kayak launch pad. Are these spring loaded? Will these shade trees be counted as among J.D. Granger's thousands of Magic Trees which ward off flooding?
PARK SYSTEM
Panther Island has plans for a total of seven new parks, they will be known as The Parks of Panther Island. The development of the parks system will be located along the future site of the bypass channel.
Okay, another mention of parks. And now we know they will be known as The Parks of Panther Island. Located along the future site of the cement lined ditch known as the bypass channel. Future site? We don't yet know where this site will be? Don't we at least know the ditch will be going under the three little bridges stuck in slow motion construction mode?
SIGNATURE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES
To ensure continuous pedestrian access throughout Panther Island a series of pedestrian bridges will stretch the bypass channel allowing the trails on the island connect to 72 mile system throughout the city.
Why do these Boondogglers attach the word "Signature" to perfectly ordinary items? The Golden Gate Bridge is a signature bridge, in that it is an iconic symbol of San Francisco. Those new bridges in Dallas are actual signature bridges in that they are unique looking, and alter the Dallas skyline in a way which has the potential to become an iconic symbol of Dallas, like the Reunion Tower is.
MODERN ROUNDABOUTS
The use of modern roundabouts on Panther Island will provide safer roads by cutting average speed and delay time while handling more traffic. They also create a positive environment for vertical development.
I love this one. Thank goodness the Boondogglers opted to go for Modern Roundabouts, rather than Old-Fashioned Roundabouts. Old-Fashioned Roundabouts really have a lot of trouble creating any sort of positive environment for vertical development.
FIXED TRANSIT LINE
A fixed line will connect Panther Island to downtown establishing smart access from home to the Central Business District thereby reducing the number of cars on the road creating less mobile emissions and better air quality. Inside the island a “circulator” line around the perimeter of Panther Island will connect each development node and serve residents and visitors to Panther Island.
I am assuming what we are talking about here is a streetcar system. Smart access? Thank goodness the Boondogglers are so clever. Were they not they might have opted for dumb access from home to downtown. And what is the plan for creating more jobs in the slightly sleepy downtown Fort Worth area, thus giving reason for thousands of people to live on the imaginary island using smart access to downtown? Maybe downtown Fort Worth will finally get a department store employing some of those living on the imaginary island.
BYPASS CHANNEL
A 1.5 mile bypass channel will be constructed to redirect flood waters around the 800-acres of low lying area to the north of Downtown. Providing necessary flood protection for Fort Worth.
Oh yes, until this cement lined ditch is dug and a flooding Trinity River diverted into it, the area north of downtown Fort Worth is vulnerable to flooding. Oh wait, that's wrong. There has been no flooding in the downtown Fort Worth area ever since levees were built well over half a century ago. However, there are areas of Fort Worth, such as East Fort Worth, and areas of Tarrant County, such as Haltom City, which do have flooding problems, unaddressed, unmitigated flooding problems, which have been deadly multiple times this century. I forget, how many people have drowned in the flooding Trinity River in the area of the imaginary island and the imaginary un-needed flood control where there are already flood control levees? Oh, I remember. No one has drowned in the area being messed up by America's Biggest Boondoggle.
SIGNATURE V-PIER BRIDGES
Signature bridges over the future bypass channel are being built now and will allow traffic to enter Panther Island from the north and west. They are located at White Settlement Rd., Henderson St. and N. Main St. These bridges have been artfully designed with the pedestrian experience and mass transportation in mind.
Again with that insipid use of that "Signature" word. We now know what those bridges are going to look like. Nothing even remotely unique. Looking like an ordinary freeway overpass. Artfully designed? Methinks a refund should be demanded from the designing artist. Designed with the pedestrian experience and mass transportation in mind? Unlike most bridges? Is there no one associated with the Boondogglers who vets this type verbal nonsense before it gets published?
FLOOD GATES
Three flood gates will be installed at the portions of the river where the bypass channel and the original river intersect. These gates will remain open at most times, but can be shut during high water events – forcing water through the bypass channel.
I have never understood how this is supposed to work. A flood comes to town, with gates forcing the flood into the bypass ditch. Is this ditch dry otherwise? That would seem to make for a rather sad looking Promenade. Or does the ditch always have water in it? With way more water added when the Trinity is flooding? How does that work? Does the Promenade then get flooded? Or is the ditch a huge, deep, Panama Canal size waterway, HUGE enough to handle a flood?
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
Panther Island zoning standards were put in place to encourage the responsible, sustainable development of over three million square feet of mixed-use neighborhoods for over 10,000 residential units.
Well, thank goodness zoning standards were put in place so that responsible, sustainable development could be encouraged. Imagine what a nightmare of out of control development might have happened without those Panther Island zoning standards.
__________________
There was more ridiculousness on this map which explores the Boondoggle's imaginary unique features.
Such as the Houseboat District. And the Marina District.
So far, apparently, there is no ferry dock or cruise ship terminal. I hope I am not giving the Boondogglers ideas...
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