The local bar scene area at the University of North Texas has been bought out and there are plans to add new corporate businesses. This really hits North Texans in the soft spot. This place generated priceless memories during the college years.
http://www.ntdaily.com/home/index.cf...b-61c4141df71b
Fry Street facing big change
Plans sent to city for approval; Mayor, tenants voice disapproval
Phil Banker, Pamela Bond, Kim Cox and Jamaal O'Neal
Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: News
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Media Credit: Jimmy Alford
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ntdaily.com Web exclusive
Preliminary plans for a proposed upscale retail development at the intersection of Fry and Hickory Streets have already been submitted to the Denton development review committee for scrutiny.
If developers have their way, the face of Fry Street will dramatically change.
The block of buildings, which includes The Tomato and Mr. Chopsticks, would be torn down and replaced with a "lifestyle center," according to the developer's plans.
The plans have not been approved by the Denton planning and zoning commission and City Council.
In an article on GlobeSt.com, a real estate Web site, Buster Freedman, president of United Equities Inc., a Houston-based development firm, hopes to raze the 3.7-acre, 1960s era property in six to nine months.
He hopes to start developing University Town Center - a 50,000 square foot, upscale lifestyle retail center. Plans also call for the center to house up to four floors of student housing, but only if retailers move into the open retail space by fall 2007.
"These are only preliminary plans," said Kim Moore, Denton economic development coordinator. "They approached the city to view their plans first; nothing will be torn down yet."
Moore said negotiations are underway to relocate Texas Jive, and said that only three businesses would be salvaged from the proposed development: Cool Beans, The Corkscrew and a service station at the corner of East Hickory and Welch Streets.
Curtis Loveless, a local lawyer and 30-year owner of the the property sold to Freedman, could not be reached for comment.
Freedman was also unavailable for comment.
"It's a unique opportunity to put that amount of acreage together at the doorstep of the university," said Tim Sandifer to Globest.com. Sandifer is United Equities' vice president of leasing and negotiator of the deal. "There has been a lot of national retail interest in this area and there has not been an opportunity to be first-class development."
Euline Brock, Denton mayor, said she was not aware of the plans until Wednesday. However, she said the idea of more off-campus student housing might be a problem.
"I'm concerned," she said. "I'm particularly concerned with the student housing they're building. People just justify everything by saying 'students.' We're already way, way overbuilt with student apartments."
Brock said that Fry Street has history and should be preserved and many business owners contacted Wednesday agreed her.
"There's history here," Brock said. "Do you think that someone coming from Houston is going to care about our Fry Street traditions? Who's elected in this next [mayoral] elections coming up will make the difference in what's being built here."
Perry McNeill, Justin Bell and Bob Clifton are candidates for the mayoral elections on Saturday, May 13.
Derek Garrison, owner of Talon Comics, said communication between the developer/landlord, Loveless, and business owners has been scarce.
"They're not telling us anything, and the problem is we're finding out stuff via the Internet, and that's bad," Garrison said. "We don't even know what's going on. It's going to get ugly once the word starts getting out."
Sixteen of the businesses along the Fry and Hickory streets corridor would be affected by the proposed University Town Center.
"I think it's crap, not just from a business standpoint but from a personal standpoint," said Joanna Bellomy, owner of Alter Ego Vintage Clothing store. Under the proposed development her store would be destroyed.
"I don't support corporations and a corporation just bought out the heart of Denton. It's killing the heart of Denton, and ruining the dreams of small business owners and people who love the city."
Chai Tamprenteep, owner of Mr. Chopsticks, and Robert Slusarski, owner of The Tomato, will both have their businesses razed to make way for the new shopping development. They said news over the development is very disappointing.
"This is like my baby," Tamprenteep said. "I started 22 years ago, I'd hate to see it go." Slusarski said he may comeback to the area if they raze his building, but that depends on the costs of rent.
"Obviously, I don't wanna leave here," he said. "Worst case scenario: they're gonna take down everything and put whatever they want up. I'd like to stay…this college in my lifeline."
Olivia Garcia-Hassell, Java Flakes owner, said the development would take away from Denton's character.
"I think it's terrible," she said. "I think they're totally taking away from the small town environment. I mean, if they do knock it down, I'm going to be really sad about my mural being taken down. I've been working on it for about a year now."
However, some business owners remain positive about the proposed development.
"Having looked at the plans, I think it's really attractive and it has a going chance of revitalizing this area," said Jonathan Pechon, Treasure Aisles owner. "The plan looks like it's going to be a very beautiful setup. However, I understand that people have sentimental value to the area."
Many college students and Denton residents have known Fry Street as a main entertainment outlet, and are concerned with the development and how it will affect the street's ambiance.
"I don't like it-this is history," said Jacob Jones, Ft. Worth senior. "It's bad for business. We need to come back and take pictures so we can remember."
Jimmy Blundered, Kharma Cafe owner, said he is debating whether to keep his business on Fry Street.
"It's the beginning of the end of old Denton," he said. "I don't think there's anything that can be done."
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