Everyone’s tall enough to ride 🎠

Universal Studios theme park coming to Frisco

Do I spy boats with my little eye? | Rendering provided by Universal Parks & Resorts

Move over Orlando, there’s a new theme park proposed for North Texas — and it’s just 45 minutes from downtown Fort Worth.

Just yesterday, Universal Parks & Resorts announced plans for a new kids-themed park and hotel in Frisco. The theme park arm of NBCUniversal purchased a 97-acre property at the intersection of the Dallas North Tollway and Panther Creek Parkway in the Fields development, which was on the docket for last night’s Frisco city council meeting.

Named Universal Kids Frisco, the project will include 4-5 themed interactive attractions in a lush, landscaped environment, retail spaces and restaurants, and a 300-room hotel.

The park will cater to the youngest visitors with family-friendly attractions, playful shows, and character meet-and-greets. Considerably smaller than Florida or California theme parks, this development is expected to be a one- to two-day experience.

Universal has not released a timeline for the park, but property sale records indicate that it will open in about four years, according to The Dallas Morning News.

FTW_Universal-studios — No more road trips with kiddos in car seats to see this beautiful view. | Photo by @FTWtoday

“We think North Texas is the perfect place to launch this unique park for families given its growing popularity within this part of the country,” Page Thompson, president of new ventures for Universal Parks & Resorts, said in a press release.

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Thursday, Jan. 12

Second Thursdays at the Carter: Resistance & Responsibility | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 5-8 p.m. | The Carter, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth | Free | Sip a cocktail and discuss the museum’s current exhibition “Speaking with Light: Contemporary Indigenous Photography.”
Chet Stevens | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 7 p.m. | Magnolia Motor Lounge, 3803 Southwest Blvd., Fort Worth | $10 | Kick back with a beverage and enjoy a performance from this local pop artist.

Friday, Jan. 13

MLK: I Have a Dream Day | Friday, Jan. 13 | 4-5 p.m. | Fort Worth Public Library - Northwest, 6228 Crystal Lake Dr., Fort Worth | Free | Kids can learn about MLK’s famous speech and make a vision board about their dreams.
John Michael Montgomery | Friday, Jan. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Will Rogers Auditorium, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | $40-$95 | The Kentucky native will kick off the FWSSR Auditorium Concert Series with hits like “I Can Love You Like That.”

Saturday, Jan. 14

FWSSR All-Western Parade | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 11 a.m. | Stock Show Parade Route, Downtown, Fort Worth | $15-$25 | Grab a front-row seat for the world’s largest western parade featuring 2,000+ horses, stagecoaches, equestrian troops, and marching bands.
TCU Men’s Basketball | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 1-3 p.m. | Schollmaier Arena, 3000 Stadium Dr., Fort Worth | $41-$225 | Watch the Horned Frogs tip off against the Kansas State Wildcats.

Sunday, Jan. 15

Canoe Fest | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Nature Center - Big River Parking Lot, 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd., Fort Worth | $3-$5 | Enjoy a weekend paddle along the Trinity River.
Founders’ Day In Tha Funk! | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Club Ritzy, 1201 Oakland Blvd., Fort Worth | $10-$150 | Enjoy a night on the town and party with Pretty Girls in Funkytown.

Monday, Jan. 16

Cowboys of Color Rodeo | Monday, Jan. 16 | 2 p.m. | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $30-$75 | Celebrate the diversity of the West with African American, Hispanic, and Native American rodeo athletes.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

THURSDAY IS THE WEEKEND, RIGHT?

Weather

59º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain
Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF reaches its closest point to the sun today, Jan. 12. For your best odds of catching this once-in-600-lifetimes spectacle, watch northwestern dark skies during the Saturday, Jan. 21 new moon, or on the night of Wednesday, Feb. 1, when it’s closest to Earth. (Space.com)

Holiday

Head downtown on Monday, Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. for the 38th Annual MLK Parade and Rally. Meet at the Convention Center parking garage (1301 Commerce St.) to see floats, classic cars, and walking groups commemorating Dr. King’s dream and celebrating unity.

Community

Earlier this week, the city council voted to rename Hillside Community Center (1201 E. Maddox Ave.) to the Atatiana Carr Jefferson at Hillside Community Center in memoriam of Atatiana Jefferson who was killed in 2019. (NBC DFW)

Civic

The City Council also voted to extend the teen curfew ordinance for another 30 days to garner more public input. Originally slated to expire on Saturday, Jan. 14, the city will review the case next month, considering a three-year extension.

Opening

The long-awaited opening of Truck Yard in Alliance Town Center (3101 Prairie Vista Dr.) is set for Monday, Jan. 16. The backyard-style hangout for food trucks, live music, and craft cocktails on draft has been in the works for two years. 🚛

Eat

Just down the way at 3101 Heritage Trace Pkwy., a second Cowtown location of Hopdoddy Burger Bar is scheduled to open on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. The craft burger joint will give away free burgers to the first 100 customers. 🍔 (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Biz

On Monday, the Canadian government announced the purchase of 88 F-35A stealth fighters from Fort Worth-based manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The Lightning II jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force are estimated at $14.2 billion.

Stat

38%. That’s how far the rate of DFW new home construction declined in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to 2021. According to housing analyst Residential Strategies, this is the largest drop since the housing recession of 2009. 🏡 (The Dallas Morning News)

Edu

Looking for a change to your child’s education? Enter: Chapel Hill Academy, a tuition-free public charter school operated by Lena Pope, a local nonprofit that has been working with children + families since 1930. The student-centered curriculum focuses on development, individual interests, and diversity. Interested? Learn more.*

Wellness

Looking to magic up more sunshine indoors? This glare-free mood light is height and angle adjustable, while this subtly designed lamp lets you adjust light warmth and brightness.*

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Path to partnership

Texas A&M expands its campus to Fort Worth

The $350 million project will tie into the renovations for the Fort Worth Convention Center. | Rendering courtesy of the Texas A&M University System

In Tuesday’s meeting, the city council signed an interlocal agreement that will divide responsibilities and accelerate construction of the 3.54-acre “Aggieland North.”

We’ve seen the renderings, explained the financing, and talked about timeline for Texas A&M’s new campus in downtown Fort Worth. Today, we have a bit of an update on the project’s inner workings.

The city will form a Local Government Corp., working with a developer to design, construct, lease and manage the Research and Innovation and Gateway Conference Center buildings. Meanwhile, the Texas A&M System will design and build the Law and Education building. The agreement will be presented to the TAMU Board of Regents in February.

The city’s request for proposals concluded in December and a developer will be announced early this year before a groundbreaking currently slated for June.

Click the button below to learn more about the plans for College Station in Cowtown.

GIG 'EM, FORT WORTHIANS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Kate.

Editor’s pick: The Reliant Energy Big Boot has returned to Dickies Arena in advance of the start of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo tomorrow and cowpokes across Cowtown are shining their boots.

What I want to know is...how unacceptable is it to wear Croc cowboy boots? What if they have spurs?

As a Fort Worth native, I’m thinking this is a no-go and that maybe I should spend a little more time boot shopping. Send me your suggestions for where I should go for a new pair of cowboy boots.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? A SXSW-style festival and conference is coming to Funkytown.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rebecca McRobbie, Kate Mazade, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Camille McLeod | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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