Yes... Please Vote.  The Fry Street area is Zoned DC-G, Downtown Commercial General, in the Downtown University Core Chapter 35.5.3 of The Development Code.  This purpose of this district is to encourage pedestrian friendly mixed use developments.  This area is also covered in The Development Plan under chapter 35.7.5, Fry Street Overlay District.  Some of the things allowed are, Maximum density, dwelling units per acre = 150; Minimum landscaped area = 15%; Maximum Building Height = 100 ft. All of this and more can befound on the City web site under planning. In order to have meaningful input you must get involved with the P&Z office as soon as possible.  Do not wait until this reaches the P&Z Board or the Council.  Input to the planning and zoning staff early in the process is critical.  All the Best, let me know if I can Help.

It is actually not too late to stop the development.  I have infomation from city employees that a zoning change is needed for the devlopment to get approval; with support from the community we can convince the zoning and planning comission to reject the zoning proposal change.  Though some individual businesses are less than a decade old, the run in the vein of the cultural history of this area of Denton.  These businesses are locally owned, which means that money flows back into the community, whereas national retail stores contribute far less back to the community due to corporate funding structures. 

But thank you for your comment, each has a right to his own.

Other businesses will not see a boom in business. In fact, these businesses will be hurt because their landlords will be able to charge them much, much more. I was talking with Jimmy from Kharma yesterday and he is very afraid of having to leave if the rent is raised. New businesses on hickory&fry will pay about three times what current businesses pay for their space. This is great news for the big dogs who rake in the rent, but very, very bad news for local business owners who are struggling to make ends meet.

Why not want to change it? Well, personally I would rather support local businessmen and women, who are members of my community and whom I know by name, than pour my money into a corporate giant. Also, do you really want to see these people's businesses taken away so that the world can have one more starbucks? Borders and starbucks (which, according to DentonRC coverage, are scheduled to arrive on Fry St. soon) are available everywhere in the U.S. and throughout the world, but the Tomato and Chopsticks are unique. When these businesses go down, they are extinct. Period.

I agree that change is sometimes a good thing. I do not think that driving out local businesses to make a few people a little richer is a very good thing at all.

Check out DentonRC coverage of the story at www.dentonrc.com You have to login (it's free to set up a password if you don't already have one) and then search for the story. It's called "End of an Era on Fry Street." This lady is awesome, she appears to be very sympathetic to our cause and does a good job of presenting our view without looking like a radical.

The thing about this story that broke my heart is the quote from UNT President Pohl. I can't believe that anyone thinks it's a good idea to drive out local entrepenuers in favor of corporate giants because the giants are "upscale."

First off Jimmy is scared because he doesnt know how to run a business and is hurting right now.... He just lost inferno ... Secondly thats the local business owner fault if they didnt lock in a lease rate or sign a long enough lease .... I happen to work on fry street and everyone around here is excited about the new project except for a few people who would probably go out of business neways ...  As for the businesses that are being pushed out ... That free enterprise for ya ...  Land of oppurtunity but sometimes you gotta take ur lumps ... Where one door closes  another opens 

the new developer doesn't have to go to the city council.  this area is already zoned for "downtown center general" which means retail, restaurants, multifamily housing and private clubs.  the only chance for saving this area is to go the historical route that chuck mentioned earlier.

http://www.co.denton.tx.us/dept/main.asp?Dept=112

The currant city council is a very strong supporter of Fry Street. How do you think Fry Street Fair got back on Fry Street? These guys did that over the strong objections of the fire and police departments. Yes, the fire and police departments did not want Fry Street Fair. Several currant city council memers worked with the delta lodge, the fire and police departments to work out a solution and you got your fair back. I doubt seriously that the people you recomend would have had the clout to get this done. They are complete novices in the workings of city government. I would encourage you to find out just who your friends are before you go off the deep end.

I do not understand how Fry Street is in trouble. Are you telling me that Fry Street is a building or a business?

Stores and shops have come and gone for ever, its the people that create the uniqness of an area. As long as the people go, the feel of Fry Street will be there. 

I am going to take issue with somethings that Jacob has said. I would like a definition of 'nicer things.' Is yet another Starbucks, amid the multitude that already exist, a nicer thing? Is yet another Borders, Walgreens, or CVS a nicer thing?

We can go to any number of these establishments in any mall or strip shopping center in the country. We already have several of them right here in Denton. But where are you going to find another Tomato? Where will you find another Mr. Chopsticks or Texas Jive?

As far as being able to afford upscale housing... Well you know sure we can get rid of all the affordable housing in Denton by turning every neighborhood into a haven for yuppies and the well to do. We can put in high cost student housing for those who are going to school on Mommy and Daddy's money. But are you going to bus in the people who are working at your 'nicer' establishments in from Krum or Lake Dallas? Because last I saw most of these chain stores have not decided to start paying 'upscale' wages to go along with their swank clientele. Where will the people who make your espresso and count your change for trojans and pepto bismol going to live? Pehaps you would like to open your own living space as a hostel for those who will no longer be able to afford to live in the Fry street district because of the 'nicer' things... No? Didn't think so. You can talk about free enterprise and liking the nicer things all you like, it is your right. It also is your right to remain blatantly ignorant of what makes a community more than just a place to store your stuff and go to sleep.

Hears the deal ....You live in a college town who is basically the financial backbone for the city ... There would be no chopsticks tomato or tj's if there wasnt a UNT so saying that upper class student housing should go somewhere else is ignorant.... As for my typing skills .... If thats the only flaws u can find in my statements then I must be doing something right ...  And the fact is the city is not going to oput its money into cleaningup Fry street ...They are going to put their money into the square ... And as for kids going to school on mommy and daddys money... Dont blame them for their parents having the foresight to plan for the future ...  As for it happening   Welll its going to happen .... I know I've prolly pissed alot of people off  but hey   I support free enterprise .... And its my opinion 

I was born and raised in Denton and still love it.  And even though I live in Dallas now, I still make trips to specifically go to the Tomato.  I grew up going to Fry & The Tomato when I was in jr. high and high school.

This redevelopment plan must not happen - it will completely destroy the heart and soul of Denton. Denton is probably the only town in the DFW metroplex that actually has a personality of its own, and it is because of Fry. Fry Street Fair is a tradition that I grew up with - do you know how many big name bands and artists got their careers boosted by the Fair?  I can't see how the Fair could survive being in an area with a Walgreens and Barnes & Noble. Fry Street is all about individuality.  If redeveloped, Denton will be just like any other town: boring and generic.  Seriously - how many chain book stores, drug stores and coffee shops do we need?  The Mayor of Denton even said that we have plenty of student housing - so why build more?  I'm all for free enterprise, but I don't see how anyone can justify killing a town's personality.  There are other solutions - the City does not have to allow this - they can work at cleaning up Fry instead of tearing it down.  If there's a demonstration there, count me in.