Some area residents content with stadium construction
By Anthony Kirchner
Staff Reporter

Grayson Harper and his neighbors remember when they were concerned the Lupton Baseball Stadium would ruin the neighborhood. But now with the project underway they are pleased with how TCU officials are handling the construction process.

After hearing from university representatives and neighborhood residents last November, the Fort Worth City Council passed a zoning change giving TCU the right to proceed with construction of the new stadium.

Harper said some neighbors were concerned that the new stadium would invade their privacy and right to peace within their homes, Harper said.

TCU is working with Fort Worth residents who live close to the stadium to minimize inconveniences, said Ross Bailey, associate athletics director for operations and facilities.

Construction crews completed four weeks of excavating for the new field Jan. 12. Dump trucks used have caused increased traffic on Bellaire Drive for the past month.

Bailey said TCU is doing everything possible to work with the people who live close to the stadium.

“TCU wants to be good neighbors,” Bailey said. (We are) going to complete the construction with class.”

In an effort to please the neighbors, TCU put construction fencing around the construction site to serve as a “sight shield,” Bailey said.

According to the Fort Worth City Code, the construction process, including excavation, demolition, alteration or repair work on any building can only be done between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Harper, who lives directly across from the new stadium construction site, said TCU is doing a good job of following these guidelines.

Brad Wallace, another resident who lives close to the stadium, said this new project “brings excitement to the neighborhood.” Wallace played baseball for TCU and graduated in 1996.

“I’m excited to see the dirt has begun to move,” Wallace said.

Some neighbors worried that having a baseball stadium across the street would lower the value of their homes. But Dick Holmes, real estate agent and local resident said he doesn’t think the stadium will have a negative effect on the property value of TCU area homes.

“TCU has bent over backwards for the neighbors and I know TCU will continue to take care of us,” Holmes said.

Austin Commercial Construction is the company responsible for the construction of the stadium. TCU has used this company for several other construction projects, including the John Justin Athletic Center and the Tucker Technology Center.

Work on storm drains and utilities for the stadium began this week, and by the end of January the foundation will be poured. Construction of the Lupton Baseball Stadium should be completed in September of 2002, Bailey said.

Anthony Kirchner
a.l.kirchner@student.tcu.edu

TCU Daily Skiff © 2002