Should the Curtis Park Natatorium Sink or Swim?
We’ve heard the concerns and seen the neighborhood signs opposing a proposed indoor natatorium at Curtis Park. Perhaps some of you support the idea, as well. Either way, tonight’s the night to make your voice heard at a public forum on the topic at University Park City Hall.
Last month, the city council approved spending $31,000 for a feasibility study concerning the natatorium, which would be built adjacent to the current outdoor pool at the site. As proposed, it would be part of a joint venture with Highland Park ISD, which is potentially looking to replace its current natatorium as part of an upcoming bond issue.
At any rate, the forum begins at 7 p.m., but we’d suggest arriving early. It could be a full house.
Ok. Here is an idea.
Instead of taking over one of our parks, let’s be more creative. For instance, if a real estate developer wants to develop the Chase Tower near SMU or a large building somewhere else in the Park Cities, then tell the developer, you have to build a pool in the basement, first floor or somewhere in the building that the district has a lease on for a 100 years…
In return for the developer, the city grants higher density and permit exceptions.
This way, the cost is very minimal for the city, just lease payments and the pool is hidden within an existing building which will be rebuilt. The developer gets what they want and can show their community commitment by housing such a pool…
Purdue Guy for mayor!
And the developer gets the use of the ridiculous strip of alley at rear of property.
We need our open park land!
Purdue Guy- That would be quid pro quo zoning which is illegal in just about every state in the union. When you build your next McMansion, remind me, because I won’t let you build it unless you donate your backyard for the recycling center our city desperately needs. Cuts both ways, so it’s illegal.
Thanks. I did not know that. But I am still creative. haha.
Ok, how about this…
Why doesn’t the city buy land in Dallas and build the pool there? A lot of the UP back office (parks/rec, permits, etc.) is in a building near Greenville ave in Dallas.
Or what about renting time at SMU’s pool?
Seems like the city should use the study money to study other creative ideas to make everyone happy.
Good thing this is HPISD and not SMU, otherwise the SMUniversity Park officials would be making sure it goes through regardless of what the citizens want.
I’m torn because I do understand the space pressures on the school district. I agree with Purdue Guy that it makes sense to talk about several different possibilities.
Why does UP have to step up, but HP doesn’t? It’s the HIGHLAND PARK ISD. Let HP donate some of its parkland.
Leave Curtis Park alone. I totally agree that students should not be zipping around UP elementary. Just the other day, a kid in a jeep jumped the light by the tennis court, and turned into the intersection. Thank goodness no kids were in the crosswalk.
And I don’t want to lose the tennis courts. The city says they will build new ones, but what if they run out of money?
Regardless of whether a zoning negotiation like Purdue Guy suggests is illegal or not, the property owner could always volunteer the idea. Like Huddleston’s previous offer to let the Y use the building if the city would sell him the alley.
The SMU swimming facilities and whatever swimming facilities are going to be in the new Park Cities YMCA seem like good places to look. They’re both under renovation now or soon to be and might be able to have their plans tweaked for extra capacity if needed.
Perhaps a natatorium could be built along the Humann Park US75 strip vacant land, preventing future crimes and any more assaults from occurring there.
Maybe the city could simply look into the implementation of eminent domain at the Chase Bank site. How much longer does that eyesore have to stand there while Huddleston holds us all hostage to his mammoth ego? I say we use that land for the natatorium, kill two colossal birds with one sensible stone, and let’s all move forward.
Why doesn’t the district use the money to build another elementary school? The administration told the parents of HPISD that we are growing. If they have the money to build an indoor pool seems like it could be put to better use. What about fixing Germany park? The Highschool already uses this park for track meets. This park needs a facelift and has plenty of room.
The pool is being moved so that space in the high school can house 29 classrooms. Schools need to get bigger things will changed and hey I would love more lanes. Sharing a lane at YMCA with 3 others isn’t easy. Also, indoor pools make money year round. Money making improvements that provide amenities for residents is what a city is to provide to its citizens. Build it they will come…
HP75 Thank You! Well put. Here is an idea Let’s just replace Snyder Plaza and Germany park with unslightly McMansions with zero lot lines. we can be anti growth city. Let’s Move everything away that leads to congestion and all have to commute to McKinney to even eat dinner. Because somebody is neighbors with Snyder plaza and Germany park tear it down.
@Jj – It’s spelled Snider Plaza. Do you even live here? Nothing says outsider like Snyder Plaza.
“Build it they will come…” right through that elementary school zone at 45 miles per hour to avoid being late for the rush on their swim lanes.
@PaulaR – I don’t think the sums are equal between building a natatorium on land the city already owns and is making available at no charge, and building a new elementary school, even if a similar “free land” arrangement were made. However the same sum of money to build a natatorium could certainly pay for a few more lanes of pool to be added to the YMCA or to an SMU facility. A sticking point may be whether the planned funding source could be used for such a collaboration.