08.05.2024

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Understanding “Aggieland North”

A conversation with Texas A&M’s Bobby Ahdieh on local expansion

The Texas A&M developments in the southeast portion of downtown will continue for the next decade, reshaping the area, the city, and the university in the process. | Photo by FTWtoday

Last week, the Texas A&M Board of Regents authorized the design of a $260 million Research and Innovation tower for the upcoming Fort Worth campus. The 150,000-sqft building will be the second in the “Aggieland North,” which broke ground last June.

Construction on the first building is well underway + work on the second structure could start next summer.

We spoke to Bobby Ahdieh, the dean of Texas A&M Law School + head of the Cowtown campus expansion, about the future of Texas-A&M in Fort Worth and how it will impact both the school and the city.

“A robust story about Fort Worth”

“I look at the expansion sometimes in the context of Boston,” Ahdieh said. “Boston’s rich university climate helped it to survive de-industrialization. We’re creating a hub for higher education here, and that rising tide lifts all boats.”

Ahdieh mentioned several potential uses for the various buildings beyond graduate classes, including:

Local companies using Aggie resources for “up-skilling” their employees.
An architecture + design studio
Weekly pitch presentations between local entrepreneurs and area companies

Texas A&M-Fort Worth is slated to be complete around 2032 + will include three main buildings and mixed-use development.
|
Rendering courtesy of Texas A&M University

How Fort Worth benefits College Station

The closest major airport to the university’s main campus is George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, which is 74 miles away from College Station. In contrast, DFW Airport is within 20 minutes of the Fort Worth campus.

“We can get more people here, faster. I think the conferences we can host here become bigger,” Ahdieh said. “It also puts us closer to ideas, talent, and capital needed for research.”

The energy on the south side of downtown

Ahdieh, like many, was excited about the growth of the southeastern part of downtown, noting upgrades to the Convention Center, the expansion of the Omni Hotel, and the arrival of Deco 969.

“There is a definite energy to that section of downtown and that energy will carry for a decade-plus,” Ahdieh said. “I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Asked

What year was Texas A&M founded?

A. 1872
B. 1876
C. 1883
D. 1890

Test that Aggie knowledge

Events

Monday, Aug. 5

Exhibition: Talespinner | Monday, Aug. 5 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Arts Fort Worth | Free | Talespinner is a two-person art performance by Laura Camila Medina and Kacey Slone about how two women from different backgrounds “traverse memory and fantasy, sadness and solitude.”
First Monday Literacy Day | Monday, Aug. 5 | 7 a.m.-12 p.m. | Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge | Free | Bring your Fort Worth Public Library card for free admission, special story times + guided nature walks.
Texas Rangers | Monday, Aug. 5 | 7:05 p.m. | Globe Life Field | $9-$596 | The Rangers go head-to-head with their 2023 ALCS opponent, the Houston Astros.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Touch A Truck | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.| Diamond Hill/Jarvis Library | Free | Children can get close to different City of Fort Worth trucks in this ESL-friendly event.
Public Comment Meeting | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 6 p.m. | City Hall | Free | Register at least two hours in advance to share your opinion on City Council agenda items.
Swords and Swordplay | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Stage West | $20 | Channel your newfound appreciation for the Olympic sport with a presentation about the history of fencing from Renaissance rapiers to contemporary competitions.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics enter the final week today. WFAA has you covered with the US medal count and daily reports on North Texas athletes in France.

Fort Worthian

Lindon Victor, a decathlete who trains in Fort Worth, won the bronze medal in his event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (BBC Sport)

Coming Soon

Whiskey Cake, known for an array of whiskey cocktails and farm-fresh American food, will open its first Fort Worth location in Alliance in late September. Try the Little Rye Lies — Old Overholt Rye, turbinado black tea simple, orange bitters, and Angostura bitters.

Plan Ahead

The Amplify 817 Showcase, a free music event organized by the Fort Worth Public Library that highlights local musicians, will be on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. at Fort Brewery. Former “American Idol” contestant TRVR? will be there, as will alt-rockers Celestial L’amour.

Health

The Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth is expanding its free healthcare options to uninsured adults in the 76115 zip code (near La Gran Plaza). According to 2022 US Census Bureau data, 17.7% of Fort Worthians lack health insurance. You can donate to Mercy Clinic to help their cause. (Fort Worth Report)

Sports

One of Simone Biles’ first post-Olympic appearances stateside will be at Dickies Arena on Sunday, Oct. 20 for the “Gold Over America” tour. The event features gymnastics set to modern hip-hop. Tickets start at $31.

Feel Good

In less than one year, three family members — Joel Nickerson and his parents, Randy and Ava Nickerson — have each donated a kidney to strangers in need at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital. The hospital had never before had two living donors from the same immediate family.

Answered

Last week, we highlighted some “unwritten rules” of Funkytown, then asked y’all for some additional ones on Instagram. Re-read our article to find out how you actually say “Camp Bowie.”

Edu

What do you need to know about immunizations before school starts next week? WFAA brought in health professionals to guide you. (WFAA)

Listen

He’s already an elite talent, but is this the year that Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons truly takes over the NFL? Early training camp signs point to yes. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Older Adults

Calling all adults 55+: Explore what’s next in retirement by volunteering with AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP. Use your skills to enrich lives, gaining physical, mental, and social benefits. (You might even forge new friendships while helping someone to a doctor’s appointment.)*

The Word

Compound interest. When used correctly, this is a powerful financial tool that can lead to substantial financial growth given enough time. See how United Texas Credit Union can help you leverage this tool to grow your personal wealth.*

Sports

🤸 You’ll flip for these gym options

Channel your inner Simone: Fort Worth gymnastics gyms

In addition to being beautifully polychromatic, Lone Star Gymnastics has all the equipment you could possibly need. | Photo courtesy of Lone Star Gymnastics

Fort Worth has dozens of different gym concepts, but if watching the 2024 Paris Olympics sparked an interest in gymnastics, Cowtown has plenty of options to flip into training.

Lone Star Gymnastics
Lone Star offers five class programs, starting with Mom/Dad & Me classes available for kiddos from walking age to 3 years old. Children ages 6+ can participate in tumbling classes. Four weeks of 55-minute classes start at $100.

Kramer’s World of Gymnastics
Kramer’s offers training from Mommy & Me beginners through teenage athletes. Private lessons are priced at $35 for 30 minutes or $65 for an hour. Four hours of training per week is $240.

Flips for Fun
Flips for Fun offers gymnastics, tumbling, and cheer classes at $82 for one-hour-long classes. It also offers swim lessons, a variety of camps, and birthday parties.

American Sokol Fort Worth
In addition to a variety of programming for kids, American Sokol offers 18+ adult classes on Tuesdays + Thursdays for $75.

Swole for fall? Explore more gyms.

The Buy

The Buy 8.05.24 (Affiliate)

Bedsheets you won’t sweat through. We got you a deal on a sheet set that’s crisp, cool, and made with overheated sleepers in mind. Bonus: They’re also wrinkle-resistant and hypo-allergenic. Enjoy cooler nights, sleepers.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ted

Def Leppard, Journey, and Steve Miller Band will perform at Globe Life Field next Monday, Aug. 12. That’s a lot of famous power ballads in one place, and tickets begin around $89. Don’t stop believing and head on out.

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