KICK OFF

Our introduction to the class included a brief design Charette of the idea Professor Forgey wanted us to accomplish during the 5 week course.  The idea was to take an existing warehouse or mechanic’s shop and turning it into about 4 residential units of approximately 875 sf, that could be used for office or retail if the tenant so desired (flex space).  It also called for the smallest amount of construction possible (minimally invasive), minimizing costs.  Glass garage doors on each end of the residential unit with a kitchen and bathroom on one of the long walls maximize the open plan and allow for cross ventilation.  I did like this idea and it lends itself well to adapting to a variety of sites and buildings.  It also means that each group has less to worry about. 

We piled in 2 vehicles and drove around Fort Worth’s Near Southside.  Dr. Forgey likes to call this playing downtown detective, where he showed us about 6 to 8 different sights.  I could go into describing each one, but I will limit my words as they aren’t really important, unless it is the site we choose.

Before going back to the classroom, we had our mid-morning break at the Paris Coffee Shop on Magnolia.  I had biscuits and gravy with some OJ, pretty good and reasonably priced.  What I really wanted were the waffles, pancakes and French toast…maybe someday soon.

Scott and I drove around looking for new properties, as well as viewing the previous trying to decide what project we wanted to do.  We came across the old gym on Morphy and decided that was the ONE.  Come to find out, it couldn’t be the ONE, especially not for ONE point ONE million dollars.  But we didn’t find this information out until we researched the property back in the classroom.  But before heading back we had lunch at the Yucatan Taco Stand.  I had some amazing nachos.

Back at the class room, each group briefed the class on what building or site they had chosen.  Prof. Forgey then decided that we needed to go see them in person.  A detective’s job is never done.  This was in part to aid Scott and myself in finding a new site.  Come to find out the 2 sites that Mark, Jerod, and Jason’s group chose would not cut it and they needed to drive around searching for a one as well.  They ended up picking the Scooter Shop, a nice little building of most likely 4 units with lofts.  John and Vishal chose a large plot of land along Magnolia, that they plan on putting the infrastructure in, then parceling it out, and only building on the western most half of the property.

After more downtown detective work, including the Arts district we called it a day.

Instead of joining everyone else for drinks, I decided I wanted to look around some more and used Google maps to find potential sites to visit on my next venture.  So after printing the TIF and other maps from www.fortworthsouth.com and a short catnap, I headed out on my own pilgrimage for the perfect site.  I drove a nice loop completely around Southside, using my map markings of potential sites as a guide.  I had marked about 10 potential sites, about half of which would be considered suitable, but most of those probably aren’t for sale. 

I have a building that I am truly in love with, especially the more I think about it.  It would probably have only 2 residential units with 3 garage doors.  But it looks to have a serious foundation issue.  However, this may be caused more for the street construction and site topography than shifting soil.  I think I just may lobby for this site.

A huge regret was a lack of a camera, which I left at home.  I complained all day about it.  I never realized how vital that is for me and a necessity in communication with my teammate, Scott.

Since Saturday’s class, I have spent most of my time using the World Wide Web to research potential properties.  I have been using loopnet, and its backdoor, cityfeet, and other sites to find properties for sale.  I even found a few that I would be interested in for my own projects.  I also have been using Google’s and Bing’s maps to view these and other potential sites.  TAD came in handy once or twice as well.

I have been a little stressed out trying to finalize a property.  I am not sure why, because we could easily use any number of sights that Dr. Forgey showed us, including 701 Pennsylvania and 558 Hemphill.  I suppose I am not completely satisfied with those.  701 may need too much work and 558 has its own small set of issues.  Or maybe it’s just because I (my group) didn’t find/pick the sight.  In any case, we have to make a decision soon and get the ball rolling, only 4 weeks left ‘til our presentations.