Texas Women’s University is moving forward with an aggressive expansion plan that aims at slowly, but surely dismantling an entire historic neighborhood to the West of the university and taking out a large portion of another to the East.  Despite the fact that recent university budget shortfalls combined with a lag in state money has forced the TWU administration to cut back in a number of key areas (including teacher pay), the current administration has found a way to “fairly recently” acquire at least 36 properties, according to Dr. Brenda Floyd, Vice President for Finance and Administration.  At least 13 of these properties are scheduled for demolition this summer.

The above sign can be found in front of one such house on College Street – a charming, one of a kind, early 20th century cottage that sits on a gorgeous lot of large trees.  After discovering this plan, I offered to move the house at no cost to the university to another lot I own in town.  I was told by Floyd that state law prohibited the school from “giving away” such property.  I then offered to buy it and then move it, but was denied.  With the average demolition costs of these properties rumored to be around $25,000 per house, you would think that this cash-strapped administration would jump at the chance to save money and their reputation with the community at the same time.

The fate of this house is just the beginning.  TWU is aiming to acquire every single property in this neighborhood bounded by Texas Street to the South, Mingo to the East, Bell to the West, and TWU land to the North.  This neighborhood, filled with historic properties of all styles, was once a favorite of college professors and distinguished local professionals.  The TWU administration also has plans to acquire the entire East side of Austin Street, North of Sawyer Street.  And according to the following TWU expansion map, they have already purchased a property on the West side of Austin Street, indicating an interest in moving all the way to Locust with their “local community improvement” project.  Here’s the map (the blue area indicates expansion areas – properties in pink are already owned by TWU):

What is most shocking about this plan of TWU’s to “improve their local community” is what they hope to do with the area.  “We have no plans in place on how we intend to use this property,” stated Dr. Floyd.  Growth for the sake of growth is the trend among today’s public higher education institutions.  It is worth reflecting on what educational and civic lessons are being taught to the students who will soon be witnessing this neighborhood destruction, all in the name of this most unreflected upon principle.

From a city perspective, the timing couldn’t be worse.  Denton’s core neighborhoods, most of which are nearing century-old status, are experiencing a renaissance.  The flight to the suburbs combined with the clear market for student housing resulted in these neighborhoods being seen as investment opportunities, not places where local citizens actually lived.  Today a new generation is starting to grow roots in town that rejects the aesthetics and values of suburban existence.  They prefer to live among economic and ethnic diversity.  They prefer to live where they can walk to employment, recreation, and commercial opportunities.  They prefer to live in a place marked by soul and character.  They long for the return of community.  In short, they are coming back to the core of the city.  The emergence of the town square as a cultural, commercial, and community center is no doubt playing a part in the revitalization of these neighborhoods (most of which are in walking distance).  Those who are paying attention are seeing many previously dilapidated and ignored homes being bought and restored to their former glory.  At a time when the city should be cherishing these neighborhood treasures, our local leaders are sitting by allowing this to happen.  As I have maintained on several occasions, the city has yet to learn the lesson of the demise of historic Fry Street.  Many of our most precious historic resources continue to exist with little to no preservation protection.

Perhaps it is a good time to remind everyone of the goals set forth in the Denton Plan concerning neighborhoods.  On page 37, regarding existing residential land use, the Plan states:

The plan recommends that existing neighborhoods within the city be vigorously protected and preserved.

The chapter on Historic Preservation goes so far as to recommend the Austin-Locust Street area for consideration as a registered Historic Conservation District.  And these are the guiding policies that are supposed to be in place:

The unique and distinctive cultural, historic, and architectural features of Denton should be identified, restored, preserved, and maintained… (p.95)

Existing neighborhoods should be protected and preserved. (p.95)

Protect individual sites or aspects of areas identified as being of historical significance. (p.95)

It is worth reviewing what work has been done by our city to protect this area in accordance with these policies.  It might be a good time to ask them.  Below are folks you might be interested in contacting about this precious part of town:

– Contact your city council person

– Contact Ann Stuart, President and Chancellor of TWU