voiceofsandiego.org: Letters... Grateful in Grapevine

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008 | More than 30 years ago, my family and I moved to Grapevine, Texas. Our downtown was virtually dead. Restaurants were few and entertainment was non-existent. However, we did have a few things going our way. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport had just opened with every terminal located in Grapevine. We also had great schools and a city government with vision. Today, we are the envy of Texas for a number of reasons. Sure, the airport was a catalyst to get things going, but the real deal today is our City Council recognizing the importance of conventions and tourism to our town.

As we moved to this end, the City Council realized that we had no potential for land growth. This is because our city was locked in by neighboring cities boundaries. So the council took a very tough approach to any development, developer and/or builder. Many proposed projects were flatly rejected. Others were forced to change designs drastically. The city was completely re-zoned to put in needed buffers. We stripped off the old aluminum siding and discovered beautiful historic brick store fronts. Ordnances were passed to preserve and protect our history. A steam train was purchased and operates today. Then, Gaylord Entertainment came to town.

While we thought we were doing well before they arrived, we had no idea what their impact would be and still find it difficult to imagine the future. Sure, there were some great negotiating marathons between the Gaylord and the City Council. These were necessary to bring the best for both the Gaylord and the City of Grapevine. The economic boost, Gaylord's genuine support of Grapevine, their contributions to residents and businesses, are nothing but stellar. The jobs they create, the taxes they generate, the beauty they add. ... all pluses. They have been very effective communicators, listened to our residents and made major changes to accommodate our citizens in the past and continue to do so today.

Chula Vista, don't let this "gift horse" get away. Embrace them. They will make you proud!

Yeah, I 'm sure Gaylord has a London bridge they could sell you too....... .....letter writer must be a Gaylord employee, if not, Mr. Gaylord himself writing such a promotional material (i.e. garbage).

Posted by Point Loma Resident | reply to this comment
September 2, 2008 5:07 pm

Cynic. Look at the former military base right outside your door - that thing was an eyesore and its be attractively redeveloped in a low-intensity that in my opinion as done more to aid the folks in mid-point loma (access to restaurants, grocery, etc.) than some of the other alternatives (eg, airport expansion, artist colony, homeless shelter). At least one of those options would have extended the Point Loma 'pause' to well longer than it already is. As for Gaylord -- I'm very familiar with their projects -- I've seen each one. They do a fantastic job and what the person in TX is speaking to is correct -- its actually a very popular destination for locals... big chunk of local social activity is there.

Posted by Former Point Loma Resident | reply to this comment
September 3, 2008 7:12 am

Point Loma Resident, do you suppose it's possible that a huge investment in Grapevine actually paid some dividends to that town? Jobs, tax revenue, newfound pride in a gleaming city? Do you suppose it's possible? Man, you negative folks are a drag. You and yours need to learn the art of healthy skepticism, and unlearn your lockstep hatred of anything that might involve capitalism. Best, Ronald

Posted by Ronald Truman | reply to this comment
September 2, 2008 7:36 pm

Why would anyone in Grapevine Texas follow what is going on here in San Diego? Whoever this person is it appears to me that he was asked to write this by Gaylord. How else would he have been aware? We need to solicit independent opinions from other Grapevine residents. And to be truly independent I think they have to have been residents for more than 30 years so they can offer a real comparison to the town now and pre-Gaylord.

Posted by Ed B. | reply to this comment
September 3, 2008 8:34 am

I reside in Roseville. I don't care for the so-called improvement/developm at NTC. I have tried to shop there or get a Starbucks there. The roads and parking lot is always a zoo. The Vons there isn't much better than the old one on Nimitz (the Vons from hell). Theoretically, there was supposed to be good bay access and parks for the GENERAL PUBLIC to use. What little parking there is (if it isn't blocked) is not adequate. This entire project was a giveaway to McMillan. It provided nonaffordable housing for a few, blocked the view and access for many. It is really a disappointment.

Posted by jsc | reply to this comment
September 3, 2008 11:01 am

To the former Point Loma Resident, sure glad you weren't able to afford to live on Point Loma anymore. From your biased response, I presume you ended up moving to Texas and took that job with the Gaylord Corporation as their marketing shill, eh?. Did all these pro-Gaylord posters forget about this other recent letter addressed to the Voice of San Diego from an actual citizen of Grapevine, Texas? link Like the resident of Grapevine, those of us in Point Loma still think the City got the shaft, and Corky McMillan got all the profits, from another give-away of public land (e.g. see Chula Vista).

Posted by Point Loma Resident | reply to this comment
September 3, 2008 1:23 pm

I live in Grapevine a few blocks from the Gaylord. I'm OK with the original hotel. It's big and it's loud, but it's what we all agreed to. They are currently in a major expansion mode. They've gotten approval for a 12-story tower that I'll see from my front yard and for doubling the size of their convention center space. Both required concessions from the city and the US Army Corps of Engineers who manages the lakeshore. They also want to build (and I'm sure they will build!) a "water feature" and a permanent home for their ICE display. Both of these will encroach on the natural lakeshore space that surrounds my neighborhood. They will generate noise, traffic, and lights that will negatively impact my home. To me, they seem greedy and inflexible.

Posted by karen churchill | reply to this comment
September 3, 2008 1:52 pm

Wow, another letter that reads so well, it almost seems planted...obviously Mr. Bigbie likes Gaylord, he works for the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau!! I wonder what their budget was like pre and post Gaylord? I'm sure the CVB didn't lose any money with the deal...I thought this was the Voice of San Diego, not the Voice of Grapevine Texas? In San Diego things operate a little different than they do in other parts of the country…I doubt these Gayord situations share any similarities other than the Hotel name….

Posted by dc | reply to this comment
September 3, 2008 2:27 pm

Grateful in Grapevine

By Donald Bigbie, Grapevine