Roanoke to Relocate Historic Bridge
By A. Lee Graham
Staff Writer
The bridge spanning Henrietta Creek at Litsey Road has seen better days.
But one of Roanoke’s unsung landmarks awaits a facelift — and relocation.
"It’s been here forever," said City Manager Jimmy Stathatos, hoping a structure that’s supported countless vehicles can do the same for pedestrians.
To that end, the City Council recently approved $15,000 to move the bridge from its existing location to the city’s public works facility along Marshall Creek Road.
Plans call for the structure to be restored as a walking bridge and relocated to a city park.
The bridge is classified as historical by the Denton County Historical Commission.
No date has been set, but residents shouldn’t be surprised when the structure is taken from its existing location to property east of Cannon Parkway Park and north of Byron Nelson Boulevard.
Though $15,000 will pay for moving the iron structure, about $69,000 would fund the bridge’s relocation and restoration.
The expenditure is expected to be considered at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Proximity to pedestrian walkways played a role in choosing the bridge’s future home.
"The Cade Branch site adjacent to Cannon Parkway Park will allow for a future trail connection between Cannon Parkway Park and Roanoke Community Park," said Brian C. Haynes, a project manager with Halff Associates, commenting in a memo.
"There are a lot of historic, sentimental feelings tied to that bridge," said Stathatos. "It’s going to be exciting, especially with our interest in preserving historical aspects of our city."
Relocating and renewing the structure as a walking bridge sees planners give new purpose to a structure that otherwise could have been demolished.
Instead, the same mindset that spurred Oak Street redevelopment appears benefiting another historic landmark.
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Thursday, September 11, 2008
First Fire Engine Called for Duty.
Friday, Sep. 05, 2008
Roanoke’s First Fire Engine Called for Duty
By A. Lee Graham
Staff Writer
Submitted Photo
Kevin Davis steers the 1923 American La France fire truck onto a trailer.
Roanoke hopes to reactivate its first fire engine — not as a firefighting foot soldier but as a moving model of pride.
"We’re taking the old fire engine and sending it to Dallas in hopes of getting the engine fixed," said Fire Chief Mike Duncan, planning to use the American La France truck, which the town acquired in 1948, in public parades and other events.
"We hope to start using it as a rolling display as opposed to a static display," Duncan said.
To that end, firefighters pushed the venerable engine onto a trailer before its Dallas voyage. A cracked cylinder and other problems have kept it behind glass at the city’s original fire station at Oak and Main streets. But like any firefighter, Roanoke’s mechanized teammate seems eager for action.
Its history began in 1948 when nine residents formed the city’s first volunteer fire department and purchased the vehicle. The 1923 model La France served the town through the early 1970s. Decommissioned and taken to the Texas Fire Museum in Dallas, the vehicle remained there until former Roanoke Fire Chief Brian Hecht led fundraising efforts to restore the engine.
"He brought it back here, and firefighters did the lion’s share of restoration on it," Duncan said. "It was run a few times in parades, then it was static."
That ends when the engine is repaired and returns to its adopted hometown.
"We’re looking forward to it," Duncan said.
Roanoke’s First Fire Engine Called for Duty
By A. Lee Graham
Staff Writer
Submitted Photo
Kevin Davis steers the 1923 American La France fire truck onto a trailer.
Roanoke hopes to reactivate its first fire engine — not as a firefighting foot soldier but as a moving model of pride.
"We’re taking the old fire engine and sending it to Dallas in hopes of getting the engine fixed," said Fire Chief Mike Duncan, planning to use the American La France truck, which the town acquired in 1948, in public parades and other events.
"We hope to start using it as a rolling display as opposed to a static display," Duncan said.
To that end, firefighters pushed the venerable engine onto a trailer before its Dallas voyage. A cracked cylinder and other problems have kept it behind glass at the city’s original fire station at Oak and Main streets. But like any firefighter, Roanoke’s mechanized teammate seems eager for action.
Its history began in 1948 when nine residents formed the city’s first volunteer fire department and purchased the vehicle. The 1923 model La France served the town through the early 1970s. Decommissioned and taken to the Texas Fire Museum in Dallas, the vehicle remained there until former Roanoke Fire Chief Brian Hecht led fundraising efforts to restore the engine.
"He brought it back here, and firefighters did the lion’s share of restoration on it," Duncan said. "It was run a few times in parades, then it was static."
That ends when the engine is repaired and returns to its adopted hometown.
"We’re looking forward to it," Duncan said.
Monday, September 8, 2008
What the Federal Takover of mortgage giants means to you.
What rescue means for mortgage rates
Bailout of mortgage giants should result in lower mortgage costs and make credit more available. But lending standards will stay tight and risky borrowers will still pay extra fees.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Mortgage applicants rejoice!
Sunday's federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will likely translate into lower mortgage rates and greater availability of credit, experts said. Rates could drop by 1 percentage point from the stubbornly-high 6.39% for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.
"This could be good for would-be homeowners," said Tom LaMalfa, managing director, Wholesale Access, a research and consulting firm. "It would reduce the cost of financing at the new and improved Fannie and Freddie."
The government bailout is aimed at making mortgages easier to obtain and afford. By shoring up the mortgage financing giants, they can continue buying mortgages from lenders and injecting much-needed cash into the system.
"Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are crucial to turning the corner on housing," said Treasury Henry Paulson. "Therefore, the primary mission of these enterprises now will be to proactively work to increase the availability of mortgage finance. Our economy and our markets will not recover until the bulk of this housing correction is behind us."
But the news isn't all good. With Friday's report that foreclosures and delinquencies are at all-time highs, Fannie and Freddie are expected to maintain - if not ratchet up - tighter lending standards. And the fees they have introduced for borrowers with weaker credit histories won't go away anytime soon.
High borrowing costs
Mortgage rates borrowers pay are dependent on the yields that investors demand when buying mortgage-backed securities from Fannie and Freddie.
Investors' doubts about the companies' viability have sent interest rates on those securities soaring. Despite regulators' July promise that they would step in to save the mortgage companies, investors are still demanding rates of 2.25% to 2.45% above Treasuries, LaMalfa said. Historically, the spread has been 1.25%.
With the government now taking over the companies and minimizing the risk associated with their debt, investors may be willing to ease off their need for higher rates.
High borrowing costs have led, in part, to a decline in mortgage borrowing. Applications are down 27% from a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Also Fannie (FNM, Fortune 500) and Freddie (FRE, Fortune 500) will likely reverse their recent pullback from the mortgage markets. In early August, when they reported just over $3 billion in combined second-quarter losses, both said they would scale back their purchases of mortgage securities to preserve their capital.
Tight standards and fees will remain
Borrowers, however, shouldn't expect the ever-tightening lending standards to ease. With defaults and delinquencies multiplying and home prices falling, Fannie and Freddie will likely keep a close eye on underwriting practices. Lenders are demanding credit scores above 700 these days, up from 620 in the past, and downpayments of 20%, up from zero in some cases, experts said.
The mortgage titans have also increased their fees in hopes of shoring up their finances. Just last month, Fannie Mae announced higher surcharges for loans to weaker borrowers. For instance, applicants with credit scores between 640 and 659 who are putting down 15% to 20% will pay an additional 2.25% charge.
The same borrower would pay 1.7 percentage points mor e because of higher fees and rates for the same loan today as he or she would have paid 18 months ago, LaMalfa said.
If the market continues to worsen, standards could further tighten and fees could rise more, he said.
"We may have more stringent standards over the next few weeks because of the continued deterioration," he said. "We don't know where the bottom is yet. It's a falling knife."
Also, while investors have initially cheered regulators' moves in the past, their confidence has been short-lived. It remains to be seen whether and for how long Sunday's action will placate them, said Kurt Eggert, law professor at the Chapman University School of Law. And if investors' spook again, rates will rise.
"If I were an investor, I'm not sure this would be enough to make me want to jump in with a lot of money," Eggert said.
First Published: September 7, 2008: 2:53 PM EDT
Bailout of mortgage giants should result in lower mortgage costs and make credit more available. But lending standards will stay tight and risky borrowers will still pay extra fees.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Mortgage applicants rejoice!
Sunday's federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will likely translate into lower mortgage rates and greater availability of credit, experts said. Rates could drop by 1 percentage point from the stubbornly-high 6.39% for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.
"This could be good for would-be homeowners," said Tom LaMalfa, managing director, Wholesale Access, a research and consulting firm. "It would reduce the cost of financing at the new and improved Fannie and Freddie."
The government bailout is aimed at making mortgages easier to obtain and afford. By shoring up the mortgage financing giants, they can continue buying mortgages from lenders and injecting much-needed cash into the system.
"Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are crucial to turning the corner on housing," said Treasury Henry Paulson. "Therefore, the primary mission of these enterprises now will be to proactively work to increase the availability of mortgage finance. Our economy and our markets will not recover until the bulk of this housing correction is behind us."
But the news isn't all good. With Friday's report that foreclosures and delinquencies are at all-time highs, Fannie and Freddie are expected to maintain - if not ratchet up - tighter lending standards. And the fees they have introduced for borrowers with weaker credit histories won't go away anytime soon.
High borrowing costs
Mortgage rates borrowers pay are dependent on the yields that investors demand when buying mortgage-backed securities from Fannie and Freddie.
Investors' doubts about the companies' viability have sent interest rates on those securities soaring. Despite regulators' July promise that they would step in to save the mortgage companies, investors are still demanding rates of 2.25% to 2.45% above Treasuries, LaMalfa said. Historically, the spread has been 1.25%.
With the government now taking over the companies and minimizing the risk associated with their debt, investors may be willing to ease off their need for higher rates.
High borrowing costs have led, in part, to a decline in mortgage borrowing. Applications are down 27% from a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Also Fannie (FNM, Fortune 500) and Freddie (FRE, Fortune 500) will likely reverse their recent pullback from the mortgage markets. In early August, when they reported just over $3 billion in combined second-quarter losses, both said they would scale back their purchases of mortgage securities to preserve their capital.
Tight standards and fees will remain
Borrowers, however, shouldn't expect the ever-tightening lending standards to ease. With defaults and delinquencies multiplying and home prices falling, Fannie and Freddie will likely keep a close eye on underwriting practices. Lenders are demanding credit scores above 700 these days, up from 620 in the past, and downpayments of 20%, up from zero in some cases, experts said.
The mortgage titans have also increased their fees in hopes of shoring up their finances. Just last month, Fannie Mae announced higher surcharges for loans to weaker borrowers. For instance, applicants with credit scores between 640 and 659 who are putting down 15% to 20% will pay an additional 2.25% charge.
The same borrower would pay 1.7 percentage points mor e because of higher fees and rates for the same loan today as he or she would have paid 18 months ago, LaMalfa said.
If the market continues to worsen, standards could further tighten and fees could rise more, he said.
"We may have more stringent standards over the next few weeks because of the continued deterioration," he said. "We don't know where the bottom is yet. It's a falling knife."
Also, while investors have initially cheered regulators' moves in the past, their confidence has been short-lived. It remains to be seen whether and for how long Sunday's action will placate them, said Kurt Eggert, law professor at the Chapman University School of Law. And if investors' spook again, rates will rise.
"If I were an investor, I'm not sure this would be enough to make me want to jump in with a lot of money," Eggert said.
First Published: September 7, 2008: 2:53 PM EDT
Chamber of Commerce
The Northwest Metroport Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome you to one of the fastest growing areas in the DFW Metroplex region. Comprised of six communities, this Chamber services the cities of Haslet, Justin and Roanoke, and the towns of Northlake, Trophy Club and Westlake.
Click on the link below to go directly to the Chambers web site.
http://www.nwmetroportchamber.org/
Click on the link below to go directly to the Chambers web site.
http://www.nwmetroportchamber.org/
Northwest ISD Home Page
Welcome to the Northwest ISD Web site
Northwest ISD is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. Located north of Fort Worth and west of the Dallas metroplex, Northwest ISD has a vision of becoming the best and most sought-after school district in Texas.
The Northwest Independent School District covers more than 232 square miles and serves 14 communities. The district of about 11,940 students is expected to double in size during the next five years and have as many as 93,000 students by 2027.
Northwest ISD has one high school, three middle schools, 13 elementary schools, a special programs center and a community-based youth residential program.
http://www.nisdtx.org/northwest/site/default.asp
Northwest ISD is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. Located north of Fort Worth and west of the Dallas metroplex, Northwest ISD has a vision of becoming the best and most sought-after school district in Texas.
The Northwest Independent School District covers more than 232 square miles and serves 14 communities. The district of about 11,940 students is expected to double in size during the next five years and have as many as 93,000 students by 2027.
Northwest ISD has one high school, three middle schools, 13 elementary schools, a special programs center and a community-based youth residential program.
http://www.nisdtx.org/northwest/site/default.asp
City's Proposed Annexation.
City of Roanoke
Public Hearing for Proposed Annexation
Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that the City of Roanoke is proposing to institute annexation proceedings to enlarge and extend the corporate boundary limits of the City of Roanoke, Texas, to include approximately seventeen (17) separate tracts of land comprising approximately 151.8465 acres of land, situated within the M.E.P. & P.R.R. Survey, Abstract No. 943, Tracts 1, 2, 5, 6, 6A, 7, and 8; The Hill Industrial Park, Lots 1-a, 1-b, 1-c, 1-d, 2, 3, and 4; Homestead Addition, Block 1, Lot 1; and E.F. Springer Survey, Abstract No. 1165, Tracts 15, and 17, and generally located on or near State Highway 114 north of Litsey Road.
The first public hearing will be held on September 9, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., at Roanoke City Hall, 108 South Oak Street, Roanoke, Texas. The second public hearing will be held on September 9, 2008, at 7:15 p.m., at Roanoke City Hall, 108 South Oak Street, Roanoke, Texas.
Public Hearing for Proposed Annexation
Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that the City of Roanoke is proposing to institute annexation proceedings to enlarge and extend the corporate boundary limits of the City of Roanoke, Texas, to include approximately seventeen (17) separate tracts of land comprising approximately 151.8465 acres of land, situated within the M.E.P. & P.R.R. Survey, Abstract No. 943, Tracts 1, 2, 5, 6, 6A, 7, and 8; The Hill Industrial Park, Lots 1-a, 1-b, 1-c, 1-d, 2, 3, and 4; Homestead Addition, Block 1, Lot 1; and E.F. Springer Survey, Abstract No. 1165, Tracts 15, and 17, and generally located on or near State Highway 114 north of Litsey Road.
The first public hearing will be held on September 9, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., at Roanoke City Hall, 108 South Oak Street, Roanoke, Texas. The second public hearing will be held on September 9, 2008, at 7:15 p.m., at Roanoke City Hall, 108 South Oak Street, Roanoke, Texas.
City Of Roanoke Information Page
City of Roanoke
Celebrate Roanoke!
Come Celebrate with us in Historic Downtown Roanoke!
Celebrate Roanoke is Saturday, October 11, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Enjoy this festival with fun events for the whole family. You don't want to miss this!
Vendors, Sponsors, and Local Performers wanted for "Rising Star Stage".
Call 817-491-2411 for more information.
Remind Me
Click on the link below to connect to the citys site.
http://www.roanoketexas.com/
Celebrate Roanoke!
Come Celebrate with us in Historic Downtown Roanoke!
Celebrate Roanoke is Saturday, October 11, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Enjoy this festival with fun events for the whole family. You don't want to miss this!
Vendors, Sponsors, and Local Performers wanted for "Rising Star Stage".
Call 817-491-2411 for more information.
Remind Me
Click on the link below to connect to the citys site.
http://www.roanoketexas.com/
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