These are notes from the 2024 meetings – there was another review on 3/24/25 – notes to be added

In reviewing the past council minutes on this plan, I have some concerns. I was told by the City Manager in the last council discussion, that we had already accepted the grant – that it was a done deal. However, it appears that the matching grant has been increased and this now has to be approved by vote of the Mayor/Council in the next meeting (5/13/23, Work Session at 6p, Council Meeting at 7pm).

Also, despite citizen’s strong objections to the reduction of Glenview Rd from 4 lanes to 3 lanes (one being a turning lane), it is my understanding that this plan option is still on the table. This was made clear to me at the Open House for the new Comprehensive Plan Review, when I noticed that the presentation board for the Glenview Project, as shown below, is 2 lanes with a parking lane, a turning lane and a redevelopment of Hardisty Street parallel to Glenview (hike/bike trail on Glenview around to Popplewell). There is also alot of proposed rezoning in the areas of Glenview, Hardisty, Vivian (behind CVS) and Leslie & Norma (Creek Trail Park/Jordan Addition).

I think it would be a very good idea for citizens to make an appearance at the next work session/council meeting and listen to the plans and ask their questions and express their thoughts.

Next council meeting is 5/13 @ 7, but the council work session will be 6p and that’s where discussions occur with more openness to citizen comments. The first portion of the work session at 6pm will be a presentation to honor Mayor Lopez as he leaves office, to be followed by discussion of city business.

MY OPINION ONLY: This project has the potential of being very expensive and short on returns. It also has the potential of a major impact on the lives of anyone living in that area, especially the Hardisty St. homes from the Bike Trail to Popplewell. Our City has a way of making quiet decisions and not exposing the real (total) costs of projects. There are examples of projects from the past 2 years and longer that have had major overruns and shoddy, non-warranted work. I will share these items in future posts, not to damage our city, but to make you aware so that you might desire to be more proactive in the decisions being made that directly affect your lives and your money.

I asked the City Manager about this layout that was at the recent Comprehensive Plan Open House – as it appears to me that Hardisty Street was being partially converted to a green zone (park) with a townhome/apartment complex in the center (yellow bldg) – the red bldgs I think, note new commercial or townhome/apartment bldgs. It’s not very clear (I mean the plan, not the image), but I would sure like to know more.

In the initial meetings with the consultant on this project, it was mentioned that it could easily cost over $20 million dollars for the “Basic” project. Tarrant County has offered a matching grant of just under $6 million. We would be on the hook for $6-14 million or more. It was mentioned that the city would look for outside funds – grants, developers, etc… but there are no guarantees. In the initial grant, the money was to be spent on curbs, gutters, sidewalks and street repairs…. (opinion alert) this project has grown into a monster.

If you cannot attend the council meetings on 5/13/24, you can email your questions/thoughts to the city manager (cedmondson@richlandhills.com) or you can post a comment on this website page and I will collect the comments and present them to council. If you don’t want your comment posted on this website or shared with council, please include note in your comment, and I will honor your privacy.