Moncrief Isn’t Sold on Plan

By Trebor Banstetter, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas

Apr. 4–Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief warned Dallas/Fort Worth Airport officials Thursday that a planned hotel, retail and office development on airport property shouldn’t compete with similar facilities in Fort Worth, Dallas and other area cities.

Moncrief, who sits on the airport’s board, told airport staffers that he wanted to “inject an air of caution” regarding Southgate Plaza, which could begin construction in February.

“It is not the responsibility of this airport to compete with the surrounding cities for hotels and revenues,” Moncrief said. He said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, who also is on the board but did not attend Thursday’s meeting, had expressed concern about the project to airport staff members.

“If you want to call that sel- fish, then call it selfish,” Moncrief said. “But we want to make sure we don’t have something here that will have some unintended consequences.”

Cities across North Texas have increasingly been working to attract national retailers and restaurants to new developments such as Southlake Town Square or Montgomery Plaza in Fort Worth. Hotel developments like the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine and the under-construction Omni Fort Worth Hotel in downtown Fort Worth are also increasingly vying for convention business.

Jeff Fegan, the airport’s chief executive, said Southgate will be aimed at people heading to and from the airport, as well as D/FW employees. It’s not intended to draw consumers from Fort Worth, Dallas or surrounding cities, he said, and it won’t compete with cities for convention business.

“We hear you loud and clear,” Fegan said.

According to a briefing given to board members during a meeting Thursday, the development will sit on a 32-acre site adjacent to the airport’s rental-car facility near its south entrance. The master developer is Southfield, Mich.-based Redico, which will absorb most of the project’s costs. The airport will receive money from leasing the property.

The plans include a 400-room full-service hotel and business center, as well as a 130-room “select service” hotel. About 70,000 square feet will be dedicated to restaurants and retail, and about 330,000 square feet will be for offices.

The complex will have 24-hour shuttle service to the airport, so visitors picking up friends and relatives will be able to park there and easily travel to airport terminals. Some retailers and restaurants may even have screens with flight information.

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